by Ellin Walsh
Reporter
Cuyahoga Falls -- "It's time to walk the walk, not just talk the talk," says City School District Board of Education member Therese Dunphy, who thinks the Board should practice fiscal responsibility regarding its payment.
Dunphy has submitted a draft policy regarding Board members' pay and asked that its first reading occur at the Aug. 1 Board of Education meeting.
Dunphy has proposed striking language in the present policy which would permit Board members to be paid the maximum amount allowed under state law beginning Jan. 1, 2008.
"Ohio Revised Code currently allows $125 per meeting compared to our current compensation of $80," Dunphy said, adding, "This represents more than a 56 percent increase in Board compensation."
Dunphy is proposing that Board members' compensation remain the same: $80 per meeting, not to exceed 30 meetings per year.
Board President Curt Grimes said he has not seen the draft of the policy change, adding, "it would be inappropriate for me to comment on an item before it has been brought to the public."
Board member Kellie Patterson also indicated she has not seen Dunphy's proposal.
"But I can say that I think Cuyahoga Falls' are the lowest paid Board members in the area," Patterson stated, "And the hardest working."
Dunphy noted teachers split a 3.1 percent increase across two years to assist the district's recovery from a projected general fund deficit expected to exceed $4 million in June 2005. The salaries of administrators were frozen for 2005-06, Dunphy said, and they received an average 1.7 percent increase for the 2006-07 school year. Meanwhile, the district's superintendent and treasurer received a 3.3 percent increase for the 2006-07 school year.
Dunphy also is suggesting that Board members begin to adhere to current policy requiring them to submit written statements for training-related expenses.
"I believe that the language exists [in Board policy] so that the BOE and the public are aware of what kinds of training are being attended, what benefits it brings to the public, and what it costs the taxpayers," Dunphy said.
The next regularly scheduled Board of Education Meeting is Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Harold E. Wilson Administrative Center Board Room, 431 Stow Ave.
E-mail: ewalsh@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3908