Trustee indemnities for the Garden Valley School Division board will be staying the same for the time being.

With zero percent increases for their staff, due to the pending provincial Bill 28 to freeze wages, Board Chair Laurie Dyck says in fairness to that, they have decided not to increase their own pay.

"I understand many other municipal bodies, whether it be councils or school boards, there are varying degrees of what's going on out there," says Dyck. As to why indemnities are changing at some municipal tables, Dyck says it basically boils down to federal tax changes.

The federal government recently implemented a new rule that will see one-third of an elected official's previously tax-exempt income, become taxed.

"At this point, Garden Valley is going to hold tight with what we have. And what does that mean for us? It means that our indemnity definitely has decreased, and we will leave it for now and see what fall brings."

Dyck notes fall is when the board will review its by-law for trustee indemnities.

As set in GVSD's current by-law on annual indemnities, the chair receives $11,637, the vice-chair gets $9,950, standing committee chair is paid $9,450, and the trustee indemnity is set at $8,733.