HomeMy WebLinkAboutEdmonton public school trustees vote for a raise to make up for new tax rules - Star Metro Edmonton - 06/19/2018 - Star Metro Edmonton - 06/19/20186/20/2018 Edmonton public school trustees vote for a raise to make up for new tax rules I The Star
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Edmonton public school trustees
vote for a raise to make up for new
tax rules
By CATHERINE GRIWKOWSKY StarMetro Edmonton
Tues., June 19, 2018
EDMONTON—The Edmonton public school board voted Tuesday fora pay increase to
make up for a loss in income after e federal government eliminatedtax exemptions for
municipal officials.
The federal government made changes to the Income Tax Act last spring, making the
trustee'smoney paid to municipal officials fully taxable as of Jan. 1, 2019. Currently, one-third of
a school board
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6/20/2018
Edmonton public school trustees vote for a raise to make up for new tax rules I The Star
School board chair Michelle Draper said having trustees vote on their own
compensation was "awkward," but said it was only fair to keep salaries
consistent. (KEVIN TUONG / STARMETRO EDMONTON)
School board chair Michelle Draper said having trustees vote on their own compensation
was "awkward," but said it was only fair to keep salaries consistent. She argued that
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"It's unfortunate we didn't know the federal government was going to do this when we
had a big review done last year and we were making decisions for an incoming board,"
Draper said. "There's no extra money going to be deposited into the account for any ol
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Edmonton's public board joins city councils in Edmonton and Banff, and the Elk Island
public school board in voting to increase base honorarium to compensate fora increase
in taxes.
The Elk Island board voted on Sept. 14, 2017 to ensuretrustees' after-tax income in 201(,*
would be no less than current after-tax income.
And Edmonton council voted in April 2017 to change base salaries sothe take-home pay
remains unchanged.
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6/20/2018 Edmonton public school trustees vote for a raise to make up for new tax rules I The Star
Alberta Education Minister David Eggen said in a statement Tuesday that he expects
school boards will follow the province's example after the NDP voted to cut
superintendent pay. On June 1, the province announced it was cutting compensation for
superintendents by $1.5 million through salary caps and cuts to other expenses.
"School trustees provide valuable leadership within our school system, and I appreciate
that they have been affected by federal tax changes," Eggen said. "We have set a strong
example on the importance of directing funding to the classroom by regulating
superintendent compensation and limiting school board administrative spending."
Catherine Grivvkuvvskvis an Edmonton -based reporter. Tocontact her, email ca1herine.grkwkovvshx@torstacca or
follow her on Twitter: @CGriwkowsky
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