Trustees approve new remuneration policy

NEWS — Kamloops-Thomplson School trustees opted Monday night to tie their stipend increases to future employee group salary increases using a weighted formula.

Trustees haven’t had an increase in their annual stipends since 2009, when they were set at $18,083. The board chair receives $20,083 and the vice chair is paid $19,083.

As of July 1, any adjustments trustees receive will be calculated as a percentage of the increase or decrease of each employee group and weighted accordingly. The formula is 10 per cent of the adjustment for exempt staff, principals and vice principals; 50 per cent of the adjustment for teachers; and 40 per cent of the adjustment for support staff.

Teachers are currently at loggerheads with the provincial government, attempting to bargain their first wage increase in five years.

“If the teachers receive a raise, which I hope they do, we would receive a raise based on their wage increase,” said trustee Kathleen Karpuk. “It’s always dependent on the employee groups.”

For example, if teachers achieve a two-per-cent wage increase, trustees would see a one-per-cent stipend increase.

“Instead of deciding the wage ourselves, which is always very awkward, we’re trying to take the politics out of it.”