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After a public hearing and presentation on the Snowflake Unified School District’s 2020 budget proposal, the Governing Board members voted unanimously to pass the $22.5 million budget, which includes the total aggregate limit plus Proposition 301 funding, at the July 11 meeting.
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In his presentation, Business Manager Mark Ollerton noted that the maintenance and operation budget, which is the main fund that includes daily operations, maintenance and payroll, saw a 2.4 percent increase from last year with a $16.1 million budget.
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“We anticipate our student enrollment to stay the same, at approximately 2,479 average daily membership in the district,” continued Ollerton, “which is a conservative estimate from the year before, showing little to flat growth in our enrollment.”
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Ollerton said that one area that is continuing to grow is the special education program in the district with $1.7 million going toward the special needs students.
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In response to the #RedforED movement, which gained the district teachers a 12 percent increase in 2019, teachers throughout the district will see an additional $1,100 in their paychecks this year, bringing the total salary increase to 14 percent.
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“The average teacher’s salary is something that we have to approve every year,” said Ollerton. “The average teacher salary went up $710, but the board approved an increase of $1,100 for every teacher. This will be our second year for an increase as part of the RedforED movement.”
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Ollerton also noted that the Proposition 301 money, which comes from the state as part of a sales tax, gives each teacher an additional $9,000 a year. “There was no increase in allotment for the 301 money this year.”
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In 2018, the average teacher salary in the district was $44,868. After #RedforED, the average salary in 2019 was $50,277 and in this coming year, 2020, it will be $50,987.
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The starting base salary for a teacher just out of college is $35,562, with approximately $9,000 added from the Prop 301 money for a 184-day contract.
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As he concluded his talk, Ollerton addressed minimum wage and the hourly classified employees. “The minimum wage increase cost the district about $150,000 to make it happen for the hourly classified employees.”
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Starting in July each classified employee received a 50-cent wage increase and will receive another 50-cent increase in January 2020.
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Superintendent Hollis Merrell said, “We were able to accomplish what the board set out to do: trying to get as much money into the employee’s hands while providing a good education for our students.”
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During call to the public parent Tabecca Westbrook addressed the board regarding the Snowflake High School girls softball program and expressed hopes that the coaches, players, parents and administration could work together to solve an unspecified problem that she states has been occurring since the softball coach’s position was vacated two years ago.
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Attending the meeting was President Carole Owens, Vice President Cory Johnson and board members Carol Palmer, Wendy McVicker and Shea Flake.
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In other business, the board:
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* Approved the district calendar for fiscal year 2020-2021, which includes two snow days.
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* Approved Arizona School Board Policy Advisory 646-650.
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* Approved the Snowflake High School code of conduct.
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* Approved Board meeting dates for fiscal year 2019-2020.
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* Approved the 2019 Capitol Plan.
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* Approved 2020 Adopted fiscal year budget as presented.
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* Approved the Snowflake Intermediate desk quote.
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* Approved the Snowflake High School coach’s salary schedule for fiscal year 2019-20.
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* Approved a request for proposal for an occupational therapist.
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* Approved the hiring of the following employees: Corwin Owen, Taylor Intermediate paraprofessional; Drew Ulber, Snowflake Junior High School assistant football coach; Destiny Hall, Taylor Elementary School paraprofessional; Marlena Day, Taylor Intermediate School fourth grade teacher; and Lindsey Owen, Snowflake Intermediate School paraprofessional.
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* Accepted the resignations of: Holly Collett, Taylor Intermediate School fourth grade teacher; Jaque Allen, licensed physical therapist; Megan Murphy, Highland Primary School first grade teacher; and Makenna Tanner, Snowflake Intermediate School paraprofessional.
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* Accepted the following volunteers: Jason Whiting, SHS assistant football coach/junior varsity coach; and Jamie Lewis SHS assistant cheer coach.
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