[summer]

This is one of the best ideas I have ever heard from a GOP lawmaker. And, he happens to also be a public high school teacher in Miami. Kudos to Rep. Ralph Arza, R-Hialeah -- and government teacher at Miami Senior High School!!!

Also, from article:

"We believe school board members are dedicated, hard-working public servants," said Joy Frank, general counsel for the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. "The salary sometimes makes or breaks the decision whether someone runs for office or not."

Joy, People do not run for office solely because of a salary -- they run for power. And, school board members were ALWAYS volunteers when I grew up in the not so distant past. What ever made school board members -- who meet infrequently -- think they should be paid a full year's salary for sitting in on some meetings, voting on some issues and making a few decisions?

BTW, do we pay volunteer fire departments? No, but they do a much more important job than school board members. Do we pay school volunteers, who also do a much more important job, and work longer hours, than any school board member? No.

[summer]

I'd vote for this guy, too.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[illbenice]

I have a better idea, no executive salaries. NO political office should be a paid office. Congress gives itself a raise every damn year, eliminating their salary may bring more honest people into office. Benjamin Franklin would agree.

[Orangedog]

I've said it a thousand times....take the money out of the picture and these so-called public servants who just want to do what's right "for the children" will all of a sudden not care so much anymore. Cut off the cash and the vultures will vanish.

[technochick99]

If it's a part time job, why not pay a part-time stipend?

[Redbob]

BUMP for a great idea!

[pulaskibush]

good idea! They need to find more government deadbeats and take their pay. Do that and not pay the UN, IMF, and any Islamic country that oppresses it's people (which so far is all of them), and you got yourself a good economy!!

[cake_crumb]

"By a 12-7 vote, a House committee on Wednesday approved an amendment proposed by Rep. Ralph Arza, R-Hialeah, making local school board seats essentially volunteer jobs, noting that school board members earn more than first-year teachers in most Florida school districts."

GREAT news, but they're going to crucify Jeb on this.

No, we shouldn't pay the school board in ANY district any more than we pay our local fire department. Additionally, school board members, unlike the members of volunteer fire dept. and ambulance associations, have a lot more power to do a HECKUVALOT more damage to the payers of school taxes and students than firemen and EMTs do.

[LarryLied]

Citizen school boards! Wonderful. When I was in kindergarten my mom was on one. Believe it or not, the principal and public school teachers were delighted when a Catholic school opened in our small Connecticut town. It meant lower taxes for everyone. Those were the days....

[quietolong]

And they keep saying we need more money talk about waste

[KC_for_Freedom]

Once again summer, we reach into the heart of the problem. The school boards exist to make important decisions related to education of the children. they need to be close to the parents and classrooms and should not have staffs to make presentations to them or salaries to make them ovrely fond of their position. If it job becomes a hugh chore, maybe the board members will share the position with others in the community when their term in the seat is up. Take the money, give it to the team planing for more open enrollment in the schools, and class selection within the schools.

[Dan from Michigan]

In Miami-Dade County, school board members earn about $38,000 annually,

Man oh Man, I should move to Fla and run. Since I'm a football coach, I'd have an advantage.

I think our members get paid here, but not enough to live on without another job.

[Osinski]

eliminate salaries for school board members

Great idea.