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SDLA Compliance Resource

Set Governing Board Member Compensation Within Statutory Limits

An implementation guide for setting or increasing board member compensation within Education Code 35120 limits and documenting the action for the county office.

  • Governance & Board Approval
  • Fiscal & Budget
Date(s)Event-triggered when the board considers a change; many county offices review increases annually (Los Angeles County: July 15)
SourceEC 35120
Applies toSchool district governing boards

In Plain Language: Board members may receive monthly compensation for attending meetings, up to maximums set in Education Code 35120 based on the district's ADA. AB 1390 raised those maximums effective January 1, 2026. Any change must be made by board action at a public meeting, and some county offices review increases that go beyond the statutory schedule.

Why this matters

Compensation above the statutory limit must be repaid and is a visible public-trust issue. Errors also flow into payroll and CalPERS reporting.

Joint ownership

Board: acts on compensation. District: superintendent's office prepares the item; payroll implements. County office: may review.

From a compensation proposal to a compliant board action: the SDLA ITO workflow

This workflow checks any change against the current statutory maximums before it reaches payroll. This SDLA ITO (Input, Transformation, Output) graphic shows how the inputs become the outputs in 9 steps.

SDLA ITO: 9 steps. Input: current EC 35120 schedule; district ADA; current compensation. Transformation: check the limit; draft the resolution; board action. Output: adopted resolution; payroll update; county submission.
Read down each column, then move to the next: Input identifies what to collect; Transformation covers check the limit; draft the resolution; board action; Output delivers adopted resolution; payroll update; county submission. When the board considers a change; meet any county review date.

Open the full-size workflow graphic

Implementation workflow

  1. Before the itemConfirm the limit.Use the current statute and ADA tier.
  2. Board meetingAct.Adopt the resolution at a public meeting.
  3. After actionImplement.Update payroll from the effective date.
  4. County dateReport.Send documentation if your county reviews increases.

Board compensation checklist

  • Current statutory schedule used (post-AB 1390).
  • ADA tier confirmed.
  • Action taken at a public meeting.
  • Payroll updated correctly.
  • County review completed if required.

Official guidance and help

Source review completed October 25, 2026. Verify the current text of EC 35120 and your county office's review requirements before acting.