The Snowflake School District Governing Board gave its approval last week to a revision to the 2016-17 budget following a public hearing, with no comment from the public. The revision was due to an unanticipated increase in student count increased the district’s allocation from the state by an additional $525,000.
According to Business Manager Mark Ollerton, the projection had been for the school to have an average daily attendance (ADA) of 2,314, but by April enrollment had increased and the ADA had risen by 115 students.
The budget revision will allow those funds to be placed in the district’s Additional Assistance Fund, which has been subject to a massive sweep by the state over the past several years. According to Ollerton, the state originally allocated $1.1 million to the district, which was used to provide computers, textbooks, aides and other classroom needs. Those funds have declined over the past several years and this fiscal year saw a $974,000 cut to that fund.
“This cut makes it very difficult to meet the needs of the classrooms and maintaining some of our strong school programs, but we view it as a challenge that needs to be addressed,” said Ollerton. The $525,000 will help ease some of those concerns.
The board also recognized many individuals for their accomplishments and service, including Skills USA competition winners Rhett Chapman, Castle Wilson, Shane Ciminski, Brett Perkins, Dustin Burgess, Derek Willis, Maren Willis, LaShae Green and Taylor Lopez, some of whom qualified for the national competition in Kentucky.
The board congratulated Meagan Webster, who won the 3A state track championship for the triple jump.
Winners of the Navajo County Victims Rights Symposium video contest were recognized, including Brennon Beatty, Boston White, Dallen Decker, Elise Ballard, Ariel Sadler and Jose Torres, and Brianna Farber, who took first place in the poster contest.
In addition, Katy Taylor and Denice Westover were presented with plaques for their 25 years of service to the district.
In other business, the board:
* Approved the policy revisions recommended by the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA), except for the leave policy revision until clarifications could be made.
* Approved out of state travel to Las Vegas for Highland Primary School teachers to attend a teaching conference.
* Approved an ASBA resolution opposing expansion of education savings accounts.
* Approved out of state travel for Skills USA winners to attend nationals in Kentucky.
* The board accepted the resignations of Chris Mello as Snowflake High School chemistry teacher; Susanne Berger, Snowflake Intermediate School sixth grade teacher; Rebecca Brinkerhoff, SHS self-contained aide; Mercedes Muder, Taylor Elementary School aide; and Suzann Bingham, HPS first grade teacher.
* Approved the employment of Melanie Self as Snowflake Intermediate School secretary; Nathan Hall, SIS sixth grade teacher; Marli Manning, SHS English teacher; Emily Junk, HPS first grade teacher; and Leah Swihart, SIS sixth grade teacher.
* Approved the transfer of employees, including Becky Lewis as SIS attendance clerk and Amanda Silverhor as Youth Transition Program assistant
* Approved a fundraiser for the SHS cheer squad.
* Approve retention lists for TES, SIS, TIS and Snowflake Junior High School.
* Approved a renewal of contract for speech pathologist Dan Rowles.
* Approved the dual enrollment partnership with Northland Pioneer College.
* Approved an agreement between the district and the Department of Economic Security for vocational services.
The board also entered into executive session to discuss Superintendent Hollis Merrill’s performance review. No action was taken on the matter when the board returned to regular session.
