The seven-member Portland School Board on Tuesday night became the first in the state to authorize paying itself monthly stipends.
In seven separate votes approving each zone director for the stipends, each board member took turns recusing themselves and supporting each other for the $527 stipends. Altogether, the expense will cost Portland Public Schools $44,268 for 12 months.
They can do so because of House Bill 2753. Passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2023, the bill authorizes elected school board members to receive a stipend of up to $500 each month, with inflation adjustments based on the consumer price index. The resolutions the School Board passed, first reported by The Oregonian, mean payments will start this month, and allow any board member to opt out of receiving any or all of the stipend money…