Committee

Education; Appropriations

Author

 W. Briggs Hopson III

Session

2023 Session

In conference

Latest Action


On March 14, the Senate invited conference on SB 2749.

Explanation of the Bill


As introduced, Senate Bill 2749 would increase the compensation of school board members. All members could choose to receive $112 per meeting (with a maximum of 36 meetings per year) or $4,000 per year. 

School board members can currently choose to be compensated at a rate of $67 per meeting or $2,400 per year.

On February 28, the House Education Committee passed a “strike-all” amendment to SB 2749. As amended, SB 2749 would increase the compensation of school board members in a slightly different manner than the original bill. Members would be able to choose to receive $112 per meeting (with a maximum of 36 meetings per year), or an annual salary that would depend on the school district’s enrollment. 

The enrollment-based salaries are detailed in the table below. 

District EnrollmentSchool Board Member Annual Salary
5,000 or fewer students$4,000
5,001-10,000 students$4,000-$5,000
10,001+ students$5,000-$6,000

In addition to raising school board member compensation, the amended version of SB 2749 would allow licensed employees of public schools to transfer up to five days of unused sick or personal leave between school districts, should they accept a job in a new school district. Currently, these employees are only able to retain their unused leave if they remain in the same school district. A similar provision was introduced in SB 2365, which died in committee.

DateDetails
1/16/23On January 16, SB 2749 was referred to the Senate Education Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee.
1/25/23On January 25, the Senate Education Committee passed a committee substitute for SB 2749.
1/26/23On January 26, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the committee substitute for SB 2749. 
2/2/23On February 2, the Senate adopted the committee substitute and passed SB 2749.
2/21/23On February 21, SB 2749 was referred to the House Education Committee.
2/28/23On February 28, the House Education Committee passed a “strike-all” amendment to SB 2749. As amended, the bill would increase school board member compensation in a slightly manner than the original bill. Additionally, it would allow licensed school employees to transfer their sick leave between school districts. 
3/7/23On March 7, the House passed the amended version of SB 2749. It will now return to the Senate for concurrence.
3/14/23On March 14, the Senate invited conference on SB 2749.