Board benefits must end

Editor,

I am writing to address the legitimate issue raised by Mr. Hardin regarding health benefits being paid to past and current board members of the Porterville School District. My perspective is based on 10 years as a board member for the Burton School District.

While on the board, we eliminated board benefits. The Burton Bylaw 9250 states: “The Governing Board views Board service as a voluntary contribution to the community and elects not to receive the compensation to which it is entitled by law.” This action ensures boardsmanship that is not motivated by “perks” or rewards for service.

I would encourage the PUSD board of trustees to amend their board policy regarding benefits for board members by adopting this same policy and apply it to all current and future board members, thereby beginning to channel these funds to student services. In these difficult financial times, we must make every effort to maximize funding to support students and staff.

The responses by the board members were also inappropriate. None of them acknowledged the issue. Instead, they “circled the wagons” and defended themselves. Mr. Morris discussed how hard he has worked for the district and that the health benefits inspired him. That is what he was elected to do. I am confident he would have worked as hard even without the generous health benefits. Other board members also were quoted in the paper. It is inappropriate to have these discussions in a newspaper particularly since they acknowledged that they do not have all the facts regarding the issue. These board comments should be reserved for a public board meeting. Any other forum for discussion might appear to be an attempt by individual board members to influence board discussions outside of formal board meetings.

Tom Henry
Porterville