MOOSE JAW — Trustees with Prairie South School Division are receiving a bump in pay this year over last year, with the average remuneration increase for duties and activities jumping by over $40 per month.
Regular members will receive $1,474.08 per month this year compared to $1,431.17 per month last year, an increase of $42.91, a board report shows.
Furthermore, the vice-chair will earn $1,556.08 per month, compared to $1,510.75 per month last year, which is a bump of $45.33, while the board chair will receive $1,638 per month this year versus $1,590.33 per month last year, an increase of $47.67.
These three increases average an extra $45.30 per month or $543.64 per year.
Trustees approved their pay increase — and other reimbursement-related topics — during a recent organizational meeting.
Chair and vice-chair
During the meeting, trustees voted unanimously to reappoint Giselle Wilson as the board chairwoman and Darcy Pryor as the board vice-chairwoman.
Wilson is the trustee for subdivision 4 and covers the communities of Bengough, Coronach and Rockglen. Pryor is the trustee for subdivision 1 and covers the communities of Central Butte, Chaplin, Craik, Eyebrow, Mortlach and Huron Colony.
Missed meetings
Similar to last year, this year trustees may miss up to four half-days from regular board meetings or committee of the whole (COW) meetings without losing pay. However, if they miss more than four half-days, they will lose $150 for every half-day meeting missed thereafter.
The exception is for rescheduled meetings after the board approves the yearly agenda.
Out-of-division activities
Similar to last year, this year trustees will be paid $30 per hour to attend out-of-division functions, meetings and other non-PSSD events. This includes in-person attendance and virtual meetings.
This hourly rate will be up to $200 per day for members, $225 per day for the vice-chair and $250 per day for the board chair.
Members will also be allowed to submit a minimum charge of one hour for any meeting attended unless another organization — such as their employer — compensates them for attending that function.
Travel time
Remuneration for travel time will be 30 cents per kilometre, while mileage will be 53 cents per kilometre, which is a jump of three cents, the board report said. Trustees and division staff can claim mileage when they use their vehicles for work responsibilities.
Meanwhile, division administration told trustees that the provincial government sets its per-kilometre rate at 57.24 cents.
Ron Purdy, business superintendent, told the board that the three-cent increase would result in tens of thousands of dollars extra in expenses for the division.
In response, trustee Shawn Davidson said, “We’re moving closer to the provincial rate (but) three cents from where we were is not an insignificant cost to the division.”
Professional development
Trustees will receive an annual allowance for professional development of $4,500 per member, with any unused money carried forward into a new school year.
The funds can cover all trustee PD activity expenses, except for public section executive meetings, Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association meetings, Saskatchewan School Boards Association fall assembly and AGM and board chairs’ council meetings.
Mileage and travel costs will be calculated assuming trustees depart from or near Moose Jaw, the report added.
Meal repayment
This year, trustees will be reimbursed for meal expenses at $16 for breakfast, $23 for lunch and $31 for supper.
In comparison, provincial employees with SGEU, CUPE and Local 600 can claim in-province meal rates of $16 for breakfast, $23 for lunch and $31 for supper, while out of province, they can claim $20 for breakfast, $25 for lunch and $35 for supper.
“… the cost (for meals) has definitely gone up. $10 for breakfast is not a lot, so we’re suggesting the provincial rate,” said Purdy.
Parking
The parking expense rate for trustees and division staff is $5 daily without a receipt or “actual reasonable costs” with a receipt, according to a board report.
Accommodation
Trustees and division staff can claim accommodation expenses when required and when not otherwise covered. This year’s rate is “actual reasonable costs” supported by receipts, or $35 per night in a private residence outside the home.
Board spokespersons
Often, Prairie South requires a spokesperson to communicate to the media or answer public inquiries, the board report said.
The board decided that the chairperson would communicate to the media and public about governance issues while the education director would communicate about administrative issues.
Cheque signing authority
For this school year, the board chairwoman, vice-chairwoman, and the superintendent of business or director of education will be the cheque-signing authorities for the division.
Borrowing
The board voted unanimously to reaffirm its $15-million operating line of credit (LOC) with the Bank of Montreal; the current agreement expires on Jan. 31, 2028.
Maintaining an operating LOC is a risk-management strategy, and while the division has not accessed that money for several years, having it in place ensures the smooth operation of PSSD if there is ever a revenue disruption, a board report said.
Meeting schedule
This year’s regular public board meetings — on the first Tuesday of the month — will occur on Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 4, April 1, May 6 and June 3.
