ORANGE : School Board Slashes Its Benefits Packages

Chipping in to close a $2.2-million deficit in its 1993-94 budget, the Orange school board approved reducing its own compensation package last week by about 10% in a move that will save the district about $7,000 annually.

The school board voted 6 to 1 Wednesday to trim its benefits package. Under the new program, trustees will receive a monthly stipend of $750. Previously, trustees received $380 plus a $450 health insurance package.

Board President Maureen Aschoff cast the lone dissenting vote.

“We wanted to try to be as fair as possible to all board members and at the same time be sympathetic to what’s going on in the district,” said board member Max Reissmueller. “We can’t keep asking school employees to shoulder the burden.”

Under the new compensation package, board members can “buy back” their insurance benefits for $450, but would then only receive a stipend of $300.

In comparison, two other similarly sized school districts in the county pay their trustees more than Orange. Capistrano Unified gives its trustees a total benefits package valued at $1,250, while Saddleback Unified offers benefits totaling $1,284 to trustees.

The board’s vote Wednesday night follows a decision earlier this month to eliminate 36 classified employee jobs. The cutbacks saved the district $485,000.