A Lakeland school board member quit after the majority of the board voted to give the superintendent a $24,000 raise.

Brian Mitten resigned from the board to protest the pay raise given to Lakeland School Superintendent Kenneth Connolly. Connolly's first year on the job has been tumultuous. Last fall, a $3 million budget deficit was discovered. Also, cuts in next year's budget are costing about 40 district employees their jobs.

School Board President Carol Ann Dobson contends if Connolly took another, higher paying job, finding a replacement would cost more than the amount of the raise. Connelly?s raise also comes with strings attached. He will be paying a greater share of his health insurance. And, if he quits before his contract is over, he will be hit with thousands of dollars in damages.