• Are School Board members paid?
• Do they actually have offices?
• Do they keep any office hours in which frustrated or helpful parents, students, etc., can pay a visit?
• Do they have paid staff? Etc.
• How much time does a school board member put into the job, on average?
• How often do they meet?
• How big is the school board?
• How long is a school board term?

At last report, school board members received a stipend of $900 per month, or $10,800 per year.

School board members do not have their own individual offices within the district.

To my knowledge board members do not have regular office hours where individuals can come and meet with them. Current board members following this forum may want to weigh in on this topic with how they make themselves available to the public. The best way to reach a board member is to call 767-8149. Mrs. Higgins, the Assistant Clerk/Secretary to the board is usually able to connect quickly to board members.

There is one paid position associated with the board. The assistant clerk/secretary of the board is a position paid by the district. The duties include scheduling, administrative work, support functions and research for individual board members. This is not an elective position.

The amount of time a school board member spends "on the job" depends upon the individual, upon the time of year, and the duties that are at hand. It is difficult to estimate and "average" time. Again, board members following this forum may want to provide perspective on this point.

By law the board can meet on the first and third Tuesday's of the month. The board always meets at least once a month. Depending upon the need, the board meets twice, and can call special meetings as necessary. In addition to these meetings, The Committee of the Board-composed of all seven members, generally meets on Monday or Tuesdays, although not every week. Members of the St. Paul School Board also serve on boards and committees in the wider community.

All board meetings and board minutes are posted on the school district's web sight. To access this information, go to www.spps.org and click on Board of Education.

The school board is composed of seven members. Elections are held every two years, either for three seats or four, depending upon the year. This year, four positions are being contested on November 4. The eight candidates seeking election to the board this year are (in alphabetical order): Warren Anderson, Richard Broderick, Anne Carroll, Tom Conlon, Georgia Dietz, Brian Joyce, Kazoua Kong-Thao, and Al Oertwig. Carrol, Conlon and Oertwig are seeking reelection. One seat is "open" because the incumbent decided not to seek reelection. No matter who wins, at least one new board member will be elected this year.

School board terms are four years. The next election will be in 2005, for the seats of John Brodrick, Toni Carter, and Elona Street Stewart.