Members of the Oxford Schools Board of Education decided in a 4-3 vote to give up their salaries in a gesture of understanding for the hard economic times facing the district.
“I think we need to send out the message that we know things are tight and that we care and understand,” said board Vice-President Lee Barclay. He added that the extra money should remain in the general budget in order to help the district as a whole.
Superintendent Virginia Brennan-Kyro informed board members during discussion that they can choose to individually donate their salaries back to the district and designate where the money will be used. She added that those funds remaining from the reduction would automatically stay in the general account.
Legally, board members must be paid something in return for their work with the district; so Lee Barclay made the motion to reduce the board’s salaries from $30 per board member per meeting to $1 per board member per meeting. The motion was supported by Barclay, Doug Myer, Anthony Giannola and Carol Mitchell-Bliemeister. Members Patti Smith, Colleen Schultz and Judy Kubina voted against the motion.
Even with the reduction, board members can still donate their minimum $24 per year back to the district.