Santa Monica : Trustee Pay Raise Proposed

Trustees of the Santa Monica Community College District are considering increasing their pay to $400 a month from $100.

College President Richard Moore, who proposed the increase, said at the board’s meeting Monday that 85% of community college districts in the state pay their board members the maximum allowed under state law. For districts of Santa Monica’s size, the maximum is $400.

Under the proposal, board trustees would get $400 if they attend all public meetings that month. The amount would be reduced and prorated if they missed meetings. Absences would be excused if they were ill or were attending to other board business.

Trustee Colin Petrie, who donates his compensation to charity, and student trustee Jason Weisberger, who gives his to a scholarship fund, oppose the pay increase. Trustee Patrick Nichelson, who does not accept the pay, was not at Monday’s meeting. Other trustees said the increase could help attract community members to serve on the board who might not otherwise because of financial difficulties.

“We have to look to the future,” trustee Ilona Katz said. “There’s all kinds of professional people coming on this board . . . but there might be situations where some might not make that kind of money.”

The board is expected to vote on the proposal at its Feb. 4 meeting.