Sartell-St. Stephen School Board Elects New Chair [AUDIO]

SARTELL - The Sartell-St. Stephen school board has elected a new chair for 2015.

Krista Durrwachter was elected chair on Monday night and has served on the board since 2013. She says one of the biggest concerns for the district moving forward is preparing for a growing community and student population.

In the last 17 years, the Sartell-St. Stephen district has seen a combined increase of 1300 to 1400 students.

Durrwachter says the board will continue to work on a long-term facility plan to accommodate the growing student population.

Board members also voted to slightly raise their salaries at the meeting. Chair, clerk and treasurer will now earn $3,400 per year, directors will earn $3,000. There willl also be a stipend for outside meetings, $50 for meetings one to two hours, $100 for meetings two to four hours, $150 for meetings four to six hours and $400 for meetings longer than six hours.

Durrwachter says the decision was made since board members haven't had a raise in about eight years. She also says a discussion was held on coming up with a different procedure for board pay raises in the future, so they aren't voting on their own salaries.