County Board of Education’s Proposal to Raise Its Pay

Please take note of the date Dec. 5, 1985. On that day at 9 a.m., the Orange County Board of Education intends to take action on an increase in its members’ compensation from $80 per meeting to $200 per meeting.

About one year ago that same compensation was increased by board vote from $40 per meeting to its present $80. I voted in favor of that raise because it had been some 20 years since the last one.

At the Nov. 21 regular meeting, I suggested that before we take any action on the proposed increase, we hold a public hearing. I felt that multiplying my compensation by five in a little over a year was a bit much. I am further convinced that there are a number of other issues that will not be adequately explored in the absence of public input, such as:

1) Should a school board member’s motivation to hold public office be based on a desire to perform community service or a desire to receive compensation? How would this increase, if enacted, impact that motivation?

2) Can school boards effectively argue to keep administrative salaries down when they vote themselves substantial increases?

3) Why should we vote ourselves this increase when we all agree that we would continue to serve at the present compensation?

4) Should a governmental body ever vote itself an increase of this percentage without public input?

My colleagues on the board may be right in suggesting that the proposed raise would only bring our compensation in line with that of other large districts. I believe, however, they are wrong to suggest that public hearings accomplish nothing and that public input would not be worthwhile.

I urge all interested citizens to go to the Dec. 5 board meeting at 200 Kalmus Drive, Costa Mesa, to express their views. For information, please call the county Department of Education at (714) 966-4000 or call me at (714) 774-7333.

FRANCIS X. HOFFMAN

Anaheim

Francis X. Hoffman is a member of the Orange County Board of Education.