On June 16, I read in The Durango Herald that “Durango School District 9-R Board of Education members voted to approve a stipend that will effectively pay future board members up to $14,300 per year for their service on the board.” While I appreciate the hours donated by the 9-R Board of Education members, I think we have to ask ourselves, why we are compensating what should be an impassioned, volunteer, community service position, when there are so many school expenses and student program needs?
Imagine what $14,300 (x 5 BOE members = $71,500) would do for athletic uniforms or instruments for the band? How about travel expenses for club activities? Additional bus routes? Or additional library computers/iPads?
I think we are missing the point of our school board directors. These are volunteer positions that effectively act as a liaison between students/parents/school staff and administration. The primary job is to hire and hold the superintendent responsible for managing the schools. Perhaps, we have expanded the school board duties beyond their scope of practice and purpose.
Compensating this volunteer position is a poor use of much needed Durango 9-R school funds.
Kelly Hegarty
Durango
