Remuneration
Each member of the Board of Trustees may receive the monthly compensation as provided for in law.
On an annual basis, the Board may increase the compensation of Board members beyond the limit delineated in Education Code 35120 in an amount not to exceed five percent based on the present monthly rate of compensation. Any increase made pursuant to this section shall be effective upon approval by the Board. (Education Code 35120)
Reimbursement of Expenses
Upon approval by the Board, the district shall reimburse individual Board members for all necessary and reasonable expenses, including but not limited to transportation, meals, hotels and registration fees, when performing services or attending in-service training for the district. Reimbursement shall be made only after approval by the Board and receipt and verification of appropriate documentation regarding the expenses.
Reimbursement will be based on Board Policy 3350.
Health and Welfare Benefits
Board members may participate in the health and welfare benefits program provided for district employees.
Health and welfare benefits for Board members shall be no greater than that received by district's non-safety employees with the most generous schedule of benefits. (Government Code 53208.5)
The district shall pay the cost of all premiums required for Board members electing to participate in the district health and welfare benefits program to the same extent that the district pays premiums for district staff in accordance with Government Code 53208.5.
(cf. 4154/4254/4354 - Health and Welfare Benefits)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
33050-33053 General waiver authority
33362-33363 Reimbursement of expenses for attendance at workshops
35012 Board members; number, election and term
35044 Payment of traveling expenses of representatives of board
35120 Compensation for services as member of governing board
35172 Promotional activities
44038 Cash deposits for transportation purchased on credit
FAMILY CODE
297-297.5 Rights, protections and benefits under law; registered domestic partners
GOVERNMENT CODE
8314 Use of public resources
20322 Elective officers; election to become member
20420-20445 Membership in Public Employees' Retirement System; definition of safety employees
54952.3 Simultaneous or serial meetings; announcement of compensation
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
1373 Health services plan, coverage for dependent children
INSURANCE CODE
10277-10278 Group and individual health insurance, coverage for dependent children
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 26
403 Tax-sheltered annuities
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42
18011 Right to maintain existing health coverage
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 26
1.403(b)-2 Tax-sheltered annuities, definition of employee
COURT DECISIONS
Thorning v. Hollister School District, (1992) 11 Cal.App.4th 1598
Board of Education of the Palo Alto Unified School District v. Superior Court of Santa Clara County, (1979) 93 Cal.App.3d 578
ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS
91 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 37 (2008)
83 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 124 (2000)
Management Resources:
INSTITUTE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS
Sample Expense and Use of Public Resources Policy Statement, January 2006
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE PUBLICATIONS
Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plans (403(b) Plans) for Employees of Public Schools and Certain Tax-Exempt Organizations, Publication 571, rev. February 2013
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
Institute for Local Government: http://www.ca-ilg.org
Internal Revenue Service: http://www.irs.gov
Public Employees' Retirement System: http://www.calpers.ca.gov
Bylaw VISTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: August 18, 2011 Vista, California