The Board of Education has gone on record supporting a legislative proposal to give its members salaries along with expense allowances.

Currently, board members are each paid a $100 per diem for each meeting they attend, including standing committee meetings. The $100 covers all meetings on a single day.

Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen said this amount generally adds up to between $5,000 and $8,000 annually.

A bill to establish salaries was introduced by Rep. Roy Takumi, chairman of the House Education Committee, at the request of the board.

If the bill passes, it would fund the salaries at a level not yet determined.

But the board opposes a bill introduced by Rep. Mark Takai that would establish a salary commission to study the issue and make recommendations.

"A commission, that's too much work for a salary bill," board chairwoman Karen Knudsen said Thursday.

The expenses of board members coming from other islands are paid for over and above their per diem.