Jamestown Public School Board nixes raise - for now

Facing red ink in the future, The Jamestown Public School Board on Monday rejected a 5 percent raise for administrators and nonteaching professionals in 2012-2013 — at least for the next two weeks.

The suggestion of 5 percent came on the heels of a finance committee meeting last week, and a report presented Monday.

“We’re obviously going to have to go on a diet from our spending habits of the past,” said Roy Musland, board member, “and I think every decision is going to have to be looked at very closely, and I think a 5 percent raise at this time ... I think that’s quite a bit.”

Board member Diane Hanson said raises for administrators are “a political football,” and that it boils down to a money matter.

She also said there’s a community misconception that the board doesn’t value administrators because of not approving a raise.

“That’s how it’s getting sent out to the community, because we don’t do a certain percentage of this for that group that we do not support them,” Hanson said. “Managing salaries has nothing to do with supporting administration, we need to support each other and agree on what is support of our district and what is a money matter.”

Tanya Ostile, board member, chairs the finance committee that approved the 5 percent recommendation. She ultimately was one of four board members to vote against the raise.

In the 4-4 vote, board members Greg Allen, Heidi Larson, Gail Martin and Rosemary McDougall voted in favor and board members Shelly Jystad, Musland, Hanson and Ostlie voting no.

“I voted no because I simply wanted to see it on the next agenda,” Ostlie said.

The finance committee report that contained the recommendation was tabled for the April 16 meeting.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-9=52-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

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