Trustees with the Rainy River District School Board have approved pay increases for those who serve as chair and vice-chair.

They will kick in after next year’s school board elections.

The increase is the result of changes to the portion of salaries that are based on enrollment.

During a lengthy debate at May’s board meeting, Fort Frances area trustee Mike Walchuk felt that with school boards facing public scrutiny elsewhere in the province, it was not the right time for increases to take place.

“Last month, we spent over an hour discussing the pay increase,” says Walchuk.

“While I’m still strongly against it, it also seems like the majority is in favour of it. I think it’s important that we move on from this debate.”

With the change, the chair will earn an annual sum of $12,093. 38, while the vice chair takes home $9,333.38.

Other trustees receive a salary of $6,583.38.

Student trustees get a base sum of $2,500.