BBG – Board Members: Compensation and Expenses
[Note: H.B. 234, enacted in the 2007 legislative session, amended the law to remove the previous specific limitations on Board member compensation, but did not invalidate existing Board compensation schedules. If a Board of Education enacts a new compensation schedule or amends an existing schedule after July 1, 2007, the hearing procedure set forth below must be followed. Because the new law removes the prior restrictions, the specific provisions of this model policy are permitted, but not required by the law (except for the hearing procedures, which are mandatory).]
Compensation—
Each member of the Board of Education, except any student member, shall receive an amount not to exceed $3,000 per year, payable monthly, as compensation for services.
Health insurance benefit—
Each member of the Board of Education, except any student member, shall be eligible to participate in the district’s health insurance programs during the term of service as a Board member. Board members, except any student member, may receive the same health insurance benefit as a full-time certificated employee.
Member expenses—
Reimbursement to board members for travel expenses for attendance at regional, state, or national conventions, conferences, and workshops shall be made by the District when attendance is authorized and deemed by the Board to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the educational functions of the District; each member shall submit an itemized account of necessary travel expenses for Board approval. Such activities may not exceed 12 per year. Such travel expenses shall be reimbursed at the rates established by the State Division of Finance for members of the State Board of Education.
Board members shall also be compensated for necessary expenses incurred by them on behalf of the School District in the discharge of their duties as board members.
Utah Code § 53G-4-204(5) (2023)
Utah Code § 53E-3-202(3) (2019)
Public hearing for adoption or revising compensation schedules—
Before adopting a new Board member compensation schedule or amending an existing schedule, the Board shall first hold a public hearing on the proposed compensation schedule or schedules at which all interested persons shall be given an opportunity to be heard.
In addition to satisfying the notice requirements for an open Board meeting, the Board shall also meet the specific notice requirements for a public hearing on Board member compensation (see Policy BEA).
Utah Code § 53G-4-204(2), (3) (2023)
Non-member expenses—
The Board may not pay the travel expenses of spouses and other persons who have no responsibilities or duties to perform for the Board when they accompany Board members to Board-related activities.
Student member expenses—
Any student board member is not compensated for services but is entitled to expense allowances granted other Board members under this Policy.