Aug. 21, 2007

Board Compensation Public Hearing
      Following a public hearing concerning the Board’s recent compensation increase, the Board of Education voted 6-1 to eliminate the cash in lieu of health insurance option and the automatic compensation adjustment tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Kim Horiuchi opposed the motion.

• Board Member Comments
• Tracy Cowdell outlined the process recently established by the Legislature to allow school boards to set their own compensation. He said he resents being portrayed as selfish, and in retrospect, he believes the Board should have had a committee study the issue and make recommendations.
  
• Kim Horiuchi believes the automatic CPI adjustment should be included as part of the Board’s compensation package so other Boards won’t have to deal with the issue again. She said the Board intentionally wanted to be the first District to increase its compensation in an effort to set an example for other school boards and give value to the position.
  
• Ellen Wallace told the Board this single decision has cast suspicion over the service rendered by board members. She believes it is the first time that a board decision conveyed the impression that the Board members were more concerned with their personal welfare than that of the District. She said eliminating these two aspects of the compensation package will align the Board’s compensation with other elected officials in Utah.
  
• Randy Brinkerhoff supported eliminating the health insurance cash payout and the automatic CPI adjustment. He said future school boards should have an opportunity to go through a public hearing and make their decisions based on public input.
  
• Peggy Jo Kennet said the majority of patrons she heard from agreed the Board should be fairly compensated but she expressed concerns over the cash in lieu of health insurance and automatic CPI adjustment.

• Patron Comments
• Laurie Christensen, a teacher at Daybreak Elementary School, told the Board her cost-of-living increase this year was 1.25 percent. She agrees the Board should receive some compensation even though teachers are not compensated for the additional 15-20 hours a week they put into their positions. In light of eliminating retirement benefits last year, the Board increase in compensation broke the spirits of many teachers. She also opposed the Board’s compensation being tied to the CPI since that benefit is not offered to employees.
  
• Karen Garrett, a retired employee, was astounded to find out the Board receives health insurance. She believes the Board should pay for District insurance.
  
• Steve Bickmore, a teacher at Riverton High School, appreciates the time the Board volunteers but reminded them that teachers spend extra hours working outside contract time as well. He wished he could have received the same increase and have his salary tied to the CPI the last 25 years. He expressed disappointment the Board would make such a decision in light of a questionable economy and Legislature.
  
• Marilyn Kurt, a teacher at Joel P. Jensen Middle School and member of the JEA Executive Board, feels the cash payout is not appropriate for the Board since employees are not given that option. She asked the Board to have the Insurance Committee study such an option for employees. She said employees have a high level of anxiety in light of the political climate, and the radical change in Board compensation only increases the difficulty of improving employee morale.
  
• April Squires, a teacher at Riverton High School, thanked the Board for setting a precedent and allowing teachers to expect similar future compensation packages. The Board’s decision has left her regretting her decision to be a teacher.
  
• Laura Black, JEA Uniserv Director and a patron of the District, asked the Board to eliminate the insurance cash payout and the automatic CPI adjustment.
  
• Pat Judkins, a teacher at East Sandy Elementary School, thanked the Board for the hours it volunteers. She said those who work part-time should receive the same insurance the Board receives for its part-time work. She encouraged the Board to work together with teachers and reach common consensus on issues. She commended the Board for revisiting its decision.
  
• Pam Bunderson, a teacher at Ridgecrest Elementary School, thanked the Board for the hours it volunteers. She said she donated 60 hours this summer to prepare for the start of school as a new team leader. She said the Board should not have privileges that are not given to employees.
  
• Patty Christensen, a classified employee in the Information Systems Department, thanked the Board for revisiting the issue and allowing the public to be heard. She said many employees are disappointed in the Board’s decision considering the Board eliminated employee retirement benefits.
  
• Michelle Daly, a teacher at Bluffdale Elementary School, expressed concern over the Board’s timing in such a decision. In light of a potential District split she doesn’t understand why the Board would want to tackle this issue. She feels the Board should pay the same amount for insurance as employees. • Debbie Bills, JCPA vice president, supports the Board’s increase in compensation but questions its generous insurance package. Some part-time classified employees pay as much as 64 percent of their insurance premium. She asked the Board to have the Insurance Committee study the option of cash in lieu of insurance.
  
• Jennifer Scheffner, a parent, believes the Board would do better to spend money on children, not themselves.
  
• Richard Salisbury, a parent of six children who have graduated from Jordan District, questioned the Board’s intent. He told Board members they need to be more responsible with the money entrusted to them. He believes the money should be spent on teacher compensation, textbooks, etc. He told the Board it is setting a precedent that will impact its decisions on other issues.
  
• Tatiana Grant, a counselor at Butler Middle School, spends numerous hours outside of school because she cares about students and because she said it is the right thing to do. She commended Rep. Jim Bird for the letter he sent to the Board asking it to reconsider its decision. She says the money would be better spent on class-size reduction.

Student Appeal
      The Board voted to amend the decisions of the District Appeals Committee concerning a student appeal from suspending the student 180 to 45 days. The Board agrees with the suggestion of the parent to have the student submit to random, monthly drug testing throughout the school year at parental expense and share the results with the school. Failure to comply with these conditions will reinstate the balance of the 180-day suspension.

Closed, Study Sessions
      The Board met in closed session prior to the regular meeting to discuss a student appeal. During study session, the Board discussed the building construction schedule and a government affairs specialist position.

— Melinda R. Colton, Reporting

Board of Education
J. Dale Christensen, Ed.D., President
Tracy Scott Cowdell, J.D., Vice President
Randy S. Brinkerhoff, Member
Kim Murphy Horiuchi, Member
Peggy Jo Kennett, Member
Sherril H. Taylor, Member
Ellen S. Wallace, Member

Barry L. Newbold, Ed.D., Superintendent
D. Burke Jolley, Deputy Superintendent for Business Services

Past Issues of Memorandum