The North Okanagan-Shuswap school board has approved a pay increase for its trustees.
During the Nov. 19 School District 83 board meeting, held at Carlin Elementary Middle School, the board approved a 2.7 per cent increase in remuneration for school trustees, to be implemented on Dec. 1.
The decision was made to keep within board policy that states remuneration is to be reviewed annually and must reflect changes to the B.C. Consumer Price Index (CPI). It followed discussion around the board table on whether to follow policy and use the CPI rate of 2.7 per cent, or to implement a two per cent increase to fall within the provincial mandate for public sector employees. A majority of the board decided to follow the CPI rate.
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The mandated trustee remuneration was $13,500 so with the 2.7 per cent increase the base remuneration for each trustee is now $13,864.50.
“The main reasons given for sticking with the policy as written is that is what policy is for. If we don’t agree with it, we should change policy,” said Amanda Krebs, board chairperson, in an email to the Observer.
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Krebs went on to say another point discussed at the meeting was if the pay isn’t increased every year, it will be more difficult to attract good board members.
@CameronJHT
Cameron.thomson@saobserver.net
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