Education board approves more pay for hours worked

The State Board of Education is allowing future members to claim extra money by submitting for more hours worked.

The board voted 7-3 Tuesday to allow board members to seek pay for up to an additional 144 hours a year for dealing with constituent emails and phone calls and preparing for board meetings. Nine members of the 19-person board were not present for the vote.

At the unchanged pay rate of $32.01 an hour, board members would receive $4,609 more a year by claiming the maximum allowable hours.

Current members of the board — 11 elected in districts and eight appointed by the governor — are not eligible for the extra pay, which law restricts to newly elected or appointed members or current members beginning new terms.

Under current guidelines, board members can be compensated for attending board meetings and committees; participating in other education panels; undergoing professional development for up to 40 hours per year; visiting schools or school facilities for up to 100 hours per year; and meeting with constituents and addressing the public about board activities, as in giving a speech to a civic group.

Atop the pay for up to 144 more hours, the new plan will give board leaders the opportunity to claim additional hours worked — up to 144 for the president, 108 for the vice president, 72 hours for committee and task force chairmen and 36 hours for vice chairmen.

Board President Laura Kohler of New Albany initially expressed support for the pay change with some hesitation, but ultimately voted against it Tuesday. Board members Jenny Kilgore of Glendale and Mike Toal of Sidney also voted no.

Kohler said costs would increase by $125,000 if each board member claimed the maximum allowable number of hours.

Last year, former board President Tess Elshoff recorded the highest earnings at $19,394. Most board members were paid $6,000 to $7,000.