The school board is seizing the stipends of fired elected members tomorrow.

By Lindsay Jones
The Daily News

Howard Windsor, in his new role as the one-man Halifax Regional School Board, said he consulted with legal counsel before he decided to stop paying former board members.

"It wasn't an easy decision to make," said Windsor. "They no longer have the responsibility or authority under the Education Act for the school board. And therefore, there is little or no justification for providing a stipend."

Several former board members said Windsor doesn't have the authority to take back their stipend and are weighing their legal options.

More than a month ago, Education Minister Karen Casey fired the 13 elected school board members because she said their constant bickering was affecting board business. She appointed Windsor to run the board.

Windsor said he has the authority under Section 54 (7) of the Education Act to determine remuneration for board members.

"Basically what the section says is that the board has the authority to set stipends and remuneration."

Windsor said it took a month-and-a-half to make the decision in order to get a "high quality" legal opinion.

In the meantime, former Dartmouth member Gin Yee gave his stipend back. But others said they felt entitled to keep it.

It cost the board $118,800 annually for the 13 former board members' stipends and benefits. Members received $8,200 a year. The vice-chairwoman earned $10,000 and the chairman received $13,500.

An additional $107,400 was budgeted for the elected board's office supplies, catering, travel expenses, professional development, technology and communications.

Windsor's salary hasn't yet been determined, though when it is, he said, it will be made public.

"The deputy minister of education (Dennis Cochrane) and myself haven't had more than 10 minutes to really talk about compensation," said Windsor. "When we conclude on my compensation, it will be known publicly and people will be able to judge the reasonableness of it."

Windsor will act as the board until elections are held in October 2008. The first meeting of the reconfigured board is tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Source: The Daily News, January 30, 2007
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