JCUSD tax rates go up, but remain the lowest in county

Although rates have increased, they are still lower than they were in fiscal year 2010, which was $3.6886 per $100 assessed valuation. Even with the increased rate, the district is still the lowest in Navajo County. For fiscal year 2015, Holbrook Unified School District was highest at $7.3012, followed by Winslow Unified School District at $6.0288 and Snowflake Unified School District at $5.5698. Tax rates for the other districts in the county ranged from $4.503 to $5.2154.

Mills is also working with Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) officials to get information on how the continued dismantling of the plant and potential permanent closure will affect the district.

Superintendent Bryan Fields said the district is making preparations for the school year, which begins on Monday, Aug. 15.

The high school roof has had issues with leaks due to solar mounting hardware, but that is being addressed. “I got the info I needed, thanks to the recent rain,” said Fields.

He also mentioned that the football stadium lights are meant to be cleaned and refocused every 10 years, and although it has been 11 years, it will be addressed within the next three years due to how often they are used.

Board President Eldon Larson added that he noticed several of the lights are no longer working, and was advised that the matter would be dealt with.

The board decided to forego an option to enter into executive session to discuss an agreement with Ameresco, the company that installed solar panels at the district. The company has agreed to remove solar panels that were installed on some of the roofs of the high school campus and place them on the ground. The board voted to approve the agreement at no cost to the district.

A technology auction is being prepared to occur in mid-August on publicsurplus.com, an online auction site utilized by school districts and other public entities. The auction will include a wide array of items no longer used by the district.

The high school library saw an increase of use over the summer, prompting the board to discuss the possibility of implementing summer reading programs.

Maintenance Supervisor Brad Neal stated that the maintenance department has finished painting the outside of the high school and completed the construction of the adjacent ways sidewalk and planting at the elementary school. He also mentioned that they are in the process of placing a handicap lift into the pool, which will be finished by next week.

The board reviewed the vision and mission statement currently used by the district, and determined that Fields would schedule a date to allow the public, staff and board to discuss possible revisions.

In other action Aug. 3, the board:

* Authorized Mills to certify year-end projected cash balances.

* Authorized district payroll vouchers in the amount of $65,197.17, auxiliary vouchers of $61.49, student activity vouchers of $101.18, and general funds vouchers of $10,674.06, $33.474.89 and $12,293.43.

* Approved Andrew Foree as class sponsor for the ninth grade.

* Approved a resolution to terminate membership in the Arizona School Partners in Nutrition (ASPIN) purchasing cooperative.

* Approved the appointment of Mike Sterkowitz as 2016-17 event coordinator; Annelie Hansen, instructional aide; Samuel Marquez, substitute bus driver; Dorothy Morris, Charmayne Morris, Sandra Lewis, Shealyn Buckley, Judy Young, Sam Johnstun, Dana Johnstun, Alyssa Buckley and Laura Parra, substitute custodian workers; and Debbie Bremser, Jennifer Westover, Brooke Frost, Kathleen Mendes, Kelly Metzger, Amy Miller, Nina Ortiz, Gayla Smith, Dayna Kelley, Nicole Carroll and Charellen Varney, substitute teachers.

* Approved board member Linda Kor-Fisher as the district’s delegate to the Arizona School Boards Association Fall Conference/Legislative Counsel.

* Approved the addition of a library paraprofessional position to the salary schedule. The position will be filled by Ericka Hunt.

* Approved Fields, Daniel Hutchens and Eric Miller as qualified evaluators of certified staff for the 2016-17 school year.

* Authorized acceptance of the resignation of JC Hansen as district mechanic.

* Tabled an item pertaining to football and cheer team volunteers until more information is available.

* Approved an increase in school participation fees for homeschooled students.

* Approved the annual rates for the use of facilities with no changes.

* Held the first reading of minor policy revisions to 14 district policies recommended by the Arizona School Boards Association, and agreed not to adopt policies regarding non-discrimination and gender identity, and smoking on school grounds.

* Approved the formation of the HAPPY (Honest, Active, Positive, Purposeful and Youthful) Club for junior high and high school students.

* Approved the addition of cross country to the school’s athletic offerings and Gayla Smith as the coach.

The next meeting of the board will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 13.