Jordan schools chief volunteers to take 10% pay cut

As Jordan School Board considers ways to resolve a $33 million deficit, Superintendent Barry Newbold is volunteering to slice 10 percent from his $237,000 salary, while the board is mulling a property tax hike that could range from 14 percent to 40 percent.

"Our teachers took a 4.5 percent reduction this year. I want to do my part," Newbold told the Deseret News Monday night.

After patrons decried a 40 percent tax hike last week, Jordan Board is pondering alternatives. The budget vote is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Riverton High School, 12476 S. 2700 West. No public comment will be allowed. More than 1,000 people packed the room at last week's hearing.

Some ideas include minimizing the tax increase to 20 percent or less; closing school for two or more days; using the district's rainy day fund; not paying for hazardous transportation routes; and cutting salaries for administrators.

Board Vice President Carmen Freeman said, "It may not be everything they want, but it will be more of an equalization of the burden."

The board discussed the budget shortfall during a study session Monday night. The meeting was open to the public but no public comment was taken.

Some board members, including J. Dale Christensen, said they would be willing to take a 10 percent pay cut. Other board members also suggested a voluntary 10 percent pay cut for district employees.

Newbold's voluntary pay decrease of about $24,000 will begin with this month's paycheck. But at least one person feels the superintendent's actions aren't up to par. A patron contacted the Deseret News on Monday saying he didn't appreciate Newbold and other district officials spending last Friday playing at Riverbend golf course in Riverton.

On Monday, Newbold admitted he and other administrators went golfing the day after a two-day leadership conference for district office and building administrators. The costs were privately donated, he said. "We don't owe them anything," Newbold said. "Most districts do some activity like this."

The name of the donating company was not available Monday.

Golfing wasn't mandatory. It has been a 25-year tradition, Newbold said.

"We are allowing the individuals to take time during the day to do that. It's true," he said. "But we think the benefit in team building and camaraderie and people getting to know each other in a less formal setting is a good use of two or three hours."