California school boards across San Diego County are voting to raise their members' pay under a new state law, and Santee's school board is expected to take up the question this month.

A law that took effect in January updates school board member compensation for the first time since 1984. Under the new rules, members of smaller districts can earn up to $600 per month, while those in larger districts can receive up to $4,500 — a significant increase from previous caps. State Assemblymember José Luis Solache authored the bill, arguing that outdated pay made it harder for working families to serve on school boards and contributed to boards that often don't reflect the demographics of their communities.

Several San Diego County boards have already approved increases. The South Bay Union School District unanimously voted to raise monthly board member pay from $275.63 to $1,200, despite objections from the district's classified employees union, which faces potential layoffs amid declining enrollment. Del Mar, Grossmont, and Lemon Grove school boards have also voted for increases, according to KPBS.

Santee's school board plans to consider a similar increase this month, KPBS reported.

Supporters of the pay raise argue higher compensation could attract more diverse candidates to school board races, which research has found tend to draw disproportionately older, wealthier candidates. Critics counter that boards should not vote themselves raises while school budgets remain tight and some districts are sending layoff notices to teachers and staff.