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School board elections: How much do trustees get paid?

School board elections: How much do trustees get paid?

When school board voters go to the polls tomorrow, they may have some questions, including this one — just how much do trustees get paid?

It turns out there's no simple answer.

According to the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, in general, members of school boards receive compensation from taxpayers, with the amount varying depending on the school division.

School board payments tend to be lower than city councillor salaries in the cities.

Typically, there's a base amount, plus per diems for attending meetings and other events.

Some boards have amounts set aside for conferences and at least one pays for cellphone bills.

The chair of the board gets more.

Here's a rundown of some of base compensation amounts per year in five school divisions:

Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (2016)

- Chair: $29,100

- Trustee: $24,000

Saskatoon Public Schools (2016)

- Chair: $29,790

- Trustee: $22,915

Regina Public Schools (2012)

- Chair $29,549

- Trustee: $25,556

Regina Catholic Schools (2015)

- Chair $29,245

- Trustee: $24,750

Saskatchewan Rivers Public Schools (2014)

- Chair: $19,083

- Trustee: $15,902

According to the school boards association, trustees spend an average of six to 10 hours per week on school board-related business.

In addition to regular board meetings and school events, trustees participate in committee meetings, planning
meetings and SSBA events.

Acclamations

Meanwhile, some people who have thrown their hat in the ring already know they'll be school board trustees.

Two public school board trustees have been acclaimed in Regina subdivisions, while in Saskatoon, there are four public board candidates running unopposed in their wards.

Catholic system voters in both cities run at large, and there are more candidates than trustee spots, so there will be no acclamations.

In addition to selecting school board trustees, voters will also pick mayors, councillors and reeves on election day, Wednesday, Oct. 26.