Monday, January 30, 2023
Pineapple Report
  • Home
  • News
    • Statewide Associations
    • Labor Unions
    • Headlines
  • Rick on the Record
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Pineapple Report
Home Headlines

Florida House Set To Vote On Measure That Would Eliminate School Board Salaries

by Pineapple Report
February 1, 2022
in Headlines
0
Florida House Set To Vote On Measure That Would Eliminate School Board Salaries

CBS AP File

CBS 4 | By cbs.com Team News Service of Florida | February 1, 2022

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – A state bill that would eliminate salaries for school board members and increase scrutiny of the way public-school instructional materials and library books are chosen is now primed for consideration by the full House.

The measure (HB 1467) is largely centered on increasing parents’ involvement in the selection of books and other learning materials. The bill would convene committees for the purpose of “ranking, eliminating, or selecting” instructional materials to include parents.

The House Appropriations Committee on Monday signed off on the proposal after adding some tweaks.

An amendment adopted by the committee made clear that the part of the bill dealing with scrapping board members’ salaries would apply to members who are newly elected or re-elected on or after August 1, 2022.

“The intent is to make sure that when members decide to run for the position, they know upfront what the situation is with salaries,” said Republican Rep. Sam Garrison who sponsored the bill.

The amendment also would allow board members who wouldn’t receive salaries to receive “reimbursements” of up to $200 for each meeting they attend, up to a maximum of $4,800 per year.
Democrats on the panel bristled at capping board members’ yearly compensation at less than $5,000.
“We can’t throw money at problems, but we obviously can pay someone a living wage. And I don’t believe that what we’re offering to pay someone in the amendment is a living wage for the amount of meetings (they) have,” said Democratic Rep. Matt Willhit.

But Garrison disagreed.

“I would take issue with the notion of talking about this salary, such as it is, as being a living wage. It’s not designed to be. It’s about public service,” he said.

The Florida School Boards Association opposes the bill. Danielle Thomas, a lobbyist with the association, said the proposal would create “great inequalities” for school board members across the state and would favor “the elite” who could afford to work for no salary.

“School board members in Florida have chosen to take on the responsibility of overseeing the education, safety, and well-being of our most precious gift — our children,” Thomas said.

A similar Senate bill (SB 1300) needs approval from the Rules Committee before it can go to the floor. The Senate measure aims to make school board members’ salaries equal to the yearly pay of state legislators. Lawmakers make $29,697 per year.

Previous Post

Teenage boy from Miami-Dade to perform violin at Carnegie Hall

Next Post

Lee County School District Superintendent Search

RECOMMENDED NEWS

School voucher expansion sails through 1st committee

School voucher expansion sails through 1st committee

4 days ago
Parental rights gives parents new tool to nix school library entirely

Parental rights gives parents new tool to nix school library entirely

4 days ago
Teachers would get $60K minimum salary under bill in Congress making grants to states

Teachers would get $60K minimum salary under bill in Congress making grants to states

4 days ago
‘Our children are at stake:’ Teacher shortage in Florida among worst in the nation

‘Our children are at stake:’ Teacher shortage in Florida among worst in the nation

4 days ago

K12 Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2020

  • About
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Statewide Associations
    • Labor Unions
    • Headlines
  • Rick on the Record
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

K12 Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2020