A new Jordan Board of Education compensation package, apparently unprecedented in its generous treatment of part-time elected officials, provoked angry calls Wednesday to the offices of the state's largest school district.

What makes the deal a little too sweet for critics is the fact that the seven board members can forgo insurance and take home $17,456 instead. That "reimbursement" appears to be unique along the Wasatch Front and perhaps statewide.

Board members' $12,000 base salary added to the insurance means they now can earn $29,456 or nearly as much as a full-time first-year teacher.

"My goodness, maybe I should just change careers and run for school board and make the same," said Kim Batey, who just finished teaching her first year in the Jordan School District.

Harsh criticism comes at a time when the district's future is uncertain. East-side cities are poised to ask voters to approve a district division that would break Jordan in two. Cottonwood Heights, Draper and Midvale agreed this week to put the district split issue on the November ballot. Several other cities will decide in the next few weeks whether to call for an election.

Though it is commonplace for elected officials to receive insurance, rarely if ever are they allowed to choose cash in lieu of the total cost of medical coverage.

Utah teachers who are paid less than peers in several Western states find the board's new perk offensive because most teachers and other school employees face steep increases in monthly insurance premiums.

"We're trying so hard to give new teachers a benefits package so young families can survive," said Kim Campbell, president of the Utah Education Association, the state's largest teachers union. "When this comes to light, it's disappointing."

The board acted to increase compensation thanks to a new law that lifted a roughly $3,000 cap on local board of education pay. It took effect July 1.

Unlike Jordan board members, who receive insurance for free, many elected officials pay for insurance at the same rate as the city or state employees they supervise. State legislators pay the same premiums as state employees and receive nothing if they opt out of insurance. The same is true for members of the State Board of Education.

A few city councils offer members some payback if they skip insurance, but not nearly to the extent of the Jordan board. In Provo, city council members can receive $1,500 if they show they're covered elsewhere on a family plan.

To increase their compensation so significantly has hurt Jordan board members politically, said Bill Colbert, a state school board member from Draper.

"When people perceive that you're doing things for your own personal benefit more than serving your constituents, then you damage your credibility - you damage your effectiveness to be a leader," he said.

Colbert said he didn't want to "disrespect" the board members who work hard for an outstanding district, but "they've hurt themselves more than it's worth."

By Wednesday afternoon, J. Dale Christensen, Jordan board president, said he had "no second thoughts" about the board's decision.

"I think the Legislature should have done something years ago," he said. "As hard as it is, I think it's appropriate."

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* MATT CANHAM and STEVE GEHRKE contributed to this report.