A recent survey reveals that 54 percent of the school board members nationwide believe board members should not be compensated for their work. The survey also provides statistics on the types of compensation currently given some boards. (Author/WD)

Presented is a plan used to pay teachers for extracurricular duties based on a point system. The plan is teacher-developed and helps ensure fairness in evaluating extracurricular compensation. Included is a description of the point system. (MD)

Discusses how little is known about how much, or if, board members are paid for their services or reimbursed for expenses. Invites readers to complete a questionnaire on practices in these areas. (IRT)

Outlines the compensation and perquisites provided board members in Houston, Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C. (IRT)

For school executives, annuities have become the preferred retirement vehicle, because other private-sector investments (some deferred compensation and profit-sharing plans) are closed to public employees. This article explains Internal Revenue Code sections 403 (b) and 457 and 1986 Tax Reform Act provisions related to tax-sheltered annuity plans.…

A survey conducted by the National Center for Education Information has found that teachers earn 7 dollars more per day than other workers with 4-year college degrees. Representatives of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers take issue with a number of the survey's conclusions. (IW)

Increasingly, districts are using deferred compensation arrangements as part of the superintendent's total compensation package. Superintendents can fund such plans by purchasing tax-deferred annuities or single-premium life insurance policies. The latter seems a better plan for both the school board and the superintendent's family. (MLH)

Discusses improving attendance of staff and administrators by providing various financial and recognition-oriented incentives including savings bonds, plaques, and a year-end trophy. Rewards for perfect and near-perfect attendance resulted in a 16 percent improvement in total staff attendance and improvement in 90 percent of individual schools.…

Superintendents in 153 cities with populations of from 50,000 to 100,000 were sent questionnaires asking information about school board members. Responses from 89 superintendents provided information about 597 board members. Findings indicate that whether or not board members receive pay has little effect on the makeup of school boards. (MLF)

Compares and contrasts two recent court cases concerning injuries to school children resulting from a lack of adult supervision. Although in Louisiana the courts awarded financial compensation to the family of the injured child, North Carolina courts dismissed the claims of a similar suit. (JBM)

To address the professional needs of principals and other middle management supervisors, school boards might consider meet-and-discuss sessions, a middle ground between unilateral board action and collective bargaining. Sessions are nonbinding, produce better decisions, confront root causes of job dissatisfaction, and can strengthen the management…

By reviewing how a school system establishes salary ranges and job classifications for nonunion employees and then correcting any inequities, school districts can avoid being sued by comparable-worth advocates. (JW)

School boards desiring to attract top-flight superintendent candidates need to create an appropriate executive compensation package, including salary, benefits, perquisites, and symbols of professional status. This article provides package guidelines from insurance and leave allowance to mortgages and moving expenses. An inset touts Chicago's…

Examines arguments for and against pay-for-performance contracts. Focuses on a situation in which the Houston superintendent accepted a $25,000 performance bonus for increasing districtwide performance. Presents findings of a nationwide survey of superintendents and school board members. (LMI)