Detroit School Board Compensation

House Bill 4752

Sponsor:  Rep. Cushingberry

Committee:  Appropriations

Complete to June 13, 2007

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4752 AS INTRODUCED MAY 15, 2007

The bill would amend the Revised School Code to allow school board members in a district of the first class to receive a salary and retirement benefits.  Detroit Public Schools is the only district of the first class.  It would allow the board to establish a salary and retirement benefits for board members by board resolution.  The bill would limit the maximum salary to an amount equal to 90% of the annual salary paid to a Wayne County commissioner.  It would also limit the retirement benefit to 90% of the maximum retirement benefit paid to a Wayne County commissioner.

Current statute allows Detroit school board members to receive a per diem allowance of $30 for each board meeting or subcommittee meeting attended and each authorized duty performed.   The payments are currently limited to reimbursement for up to 52 meetings or authorized duties per member per year, although this limitation may be removed by a majority vote of the board.  The bill would eliminate this per diem if a salary were established.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

In a year when the 52 meeting/duty cap remains in place, the maximum per diem allowance a board member currently could receive is $1,560.  The maximum total cost for 11 board members is $17,160.  A Wayne County commissioner currently receives a salary of nearly $69,000. (The Chair receives an additional $12,000 and two vice-chairs each receive an additional $6,000.)  The maximum salary for a school board member under the bill would equal approximately $62,000.  If approved at the maximum, the salaries would create an additional cost of almost $664,000 (or more if the chair and vice chairs received comparable increases) for Detroit Public Schools.  Any approved pension benefits would create further costs to the district.

                                                                                                 Fiscal Analysts:   Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Mary Ann Cleary

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.