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Poland school board wants to take pay cut; state law says ‘no’
By ROBERT GUTTERSOHN
Poland
To the surprise of most on the Poland Board of Education, state law does not allow board members to reduce their own pay.
“I never heard of a reduction being illegal, “ Poland Superintendent Robert Zorn said, surprised by the advice given to him by the Ohio School Boards Association’s legal service. “What I always read (is) no one can increase, not reduce, while in term.”
During last Monday’s work session, the board members expressed a desire to reduce their own pay from $125 per meeting to $50 per meeting. The vote would have saved the district with a $25 million budget only $4,500. But it would come at a time when the district looks to cut academic and athletic programs in order to meet next year’s budget.
But when Zorn sought the advice from the OSBA, he did not expect to hear it was illegal.
“That really did surprise me,” Zorn said.
In Article II, Section 20 of the state’s constitution, it calls for “no change” to the salary of elected officials.
“They wanted to show that they too would be taking a cut,” Zorn said. “That’s the way I read it.”
Board members interviewed were surprised by the law, but said they plan on giving their compensation back either to the school district or other school-related contributions.
“As a board, we should sacrifice,” board member Larry Dinopoulos said.
Dinopoulos said he desired to see a board contribution fund created separate from the general fund in which the returned money would sit. This way, Dinopoulos said, the board can pick, choose and track where the extra money would be allocated.
Board member Beau Weaver said he’d like to see a consensual agreement among the board to give a minimum amount per year to the citizens committee — the organization that campaigns for levies in the district.