Why does the Edmonton Public School Board have 9 Trustees? The Calgary Public School Board, the largest in the province, seems to discharge it's governance responsibilities quite adequately with 7 members. So does the Edmonton Catholic School Board. Over the past many years there has some discussion and a few votes to reduce the number of trustees, but in the end, the status quo prevailed. In all the time I've been on the Board, I never heard any compelling reason for a 9 member board, and perhaps this could be another issue for the new Board( which will be made up of a majority of new faces) to take a hard look at.
At the same time, I would argue, we should pay them more. Currently, EPSB Trustees are paid about $32,000/yr ( more for the leadership positions). Compare this to the Calgary Public School Board where the average trustee pay is $46,618, or the Edmonton Catholic Board with an average trustee pay of $53,000/year. The trustee role is often thought of as a part-time responsibility with part-time remuneration. The problem is that the time commitments are often spread out at different times and days making it very tough to juggle if you have another "regular" job. If you're interested in seeing how much trustees, superintendents, or secretary-treasurers earn, this is all public information. Just click here to be taken to the Alberta Education site that has the audited financial statements for every school jurisdiction in the province for the last 3 years. Each financial statement includes a page itemizing the remuneration, benefits, allowances, and expenses paid to each trustee as well as the superintendent and secretary-treasurer.
I realize that this may be a sensitive issue for candidates and voters. I also realize that most candidates aren't in it for the money. At the same time, I think it's in everyone's interest that the pay arrangements are such that they attract top quality people for this important role. Relatively lower pay is, in part, why many school board candidates are elected by acclamation. I spoke with one person recently who had been planning to run for the school board for the past few years, but when she crunched the numbers, she didn't think it would be fair financially to her family- so she's taken a pass on this election. And the voters have one less choice to consider.
Your thoughts?
Question: Is the only reason to have fewer trustees so you can pay them more? I do not think there is any evidence for what would be the "right" size for a board. Many in the province operate well with 5 trustees. Others with 7 or 9. Some even have an even number of trustees. I appreciate your comments about remuneration but don't think the two issues should be related.
ReplyDeleteI really think if you paid trustees more, instead of attracting better people you'd attract more people in it just for the money.
ReplyDeleteWe already have people using being on the school board (or trying to) as a stepping stone to launch a career in politics, or they are on the board because they couldnt get elected any other way. I'd prefer trustees remember they are here for the best interests of all students.
OK, so don't pay trustees more. Should we pay them less? Do you think they should serve as volunteers without pay as it is throughout much of the USA?
ReplyDeleteHow much should trustees be paid, if anything?
Who should decide?