Editorials : Pay Raise Is Deserved

The San Diego Unified School District trustees plan to increase their salaries from $9,000 to $18,000 this week--an increase that, to say the least, is well-justified.

Not only do school board members have a tremendous responsibility overseeing a $385-million annual budget and the education of our children, but most put in as much time as they would on a full-time job. A board member’s week might include spending four or five hours in a formal meeting, eight to 10 hours reading material in preparation for that meeting, and several more hours in work sessions. Additionally, the members visit schools; handle problems, questions and complaints of constituents, and make speaking appearances on behalf of the district.

Unlike members of the Board of Supervisors or City Council, the five school board members have no independent staff, sharing two secretaries among them. Some board members have even spent their own money to hire help when they needed it.

It’s hard to argue that a salary of $18,000 is going to be the determining factor in attracting good people to run for the board, but it is not necessary to do so. It’s argument enough to say that for all they are asked to do, the board members deserve this raise.