JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Five Duval County School Board members have already submitted paperwork that they will not accept a $2,860 pump in pay that the state would allow them to take.
Working into the wee hours of Wednesday morning, the board did vote to make as policy a state formula that spells out their pay. The formula, based on county population and student enrollment, called for local board pay of $40,160 a year.
Board members Fel Lee, Martha Barrett, Becki Couch, Betty Burney and Tommy Hazouri have informed the district they will stick with their old pay of $37,300. That pay is the starting salary of a beginning teacher.
Board Chairman W.C. Gentry said he is undecided and Paula Wright could not be reached for comment.
"I'm not going to accept the money," said Hazouri, who serves on the school board after being both a state lawmaker and Jacksonville's mayor.
Board members have a self-imposed deadline of Friday to inform the district of their intentions.
Four years ago, school board pay locally was set at $40,200. In recent years the board opted to be paid the staring pay for a district teacher, which was allowed by the state.
First Coast News