By Linda Kor With the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic Snowflake High School administrators made a special effort to allow graduating seniors take part in a special milestone in the lives. Graduates were able to take part in a virtual ceremony last week that allowed each graduate to wear cap and gown, received their diploma on stage and make speeches. To accommodate social distancing, each graduate was scheduled for a specific time to arrive along with family members and were asked not to linger after accepting their diploma and awards. Although attendance at the event was limited, the event will be able to be viewed at 8 p.m. this Friday, May 22, on YouTube. The video will also include comments from the graduates and photos, allowing graduates to celebrate at home with friends and family if they choose. During the May 14 Snowflake Unified School District Governing Board meeting, Business Manager Mark Ollerton addressed the board and provided information on the Classroom Site Fund (CSF) projections, also known as Prop 301 monies. According to Ollerton, each year the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) establishes what the rate will be for the new fiscal year. The current rate is $434 per weighted student count. The estimates provided for fiscal year 2021 is $425 per weighted student, $9 less than what was available for this year. But, Ollerton noted, the fiscal year 2021 amount includes a new component that had not been in prior year CSF calculations. The $425 includes a one-time payment of $50 million or $40 per weighted student count, which is funding to help finance the five percent final year funding of the 20 percent teacher salary increase. This is one-time funding into the CSF, which in future years will be in the regular formula. To get a fair comparison of how the CSF monies for fiscal year 2021 compares to what was available in fiscal year 2020, the amount for FY year 2021 should be adjusted downward by $40, which would make the funding $385, or $49 less per weighted student count or 11 percent less. The recommendation that was approved by the board is to maintain the fiscal year 2020 funding levels for 2021. In order to accommodate this, cash balances that are held in the three funding mechanisms for this money will be utilized. He also informed the board that the district will be increasing the lunch prices by 10 cents per meal to be in accordance with the National School Lunch Program. The current price is $2.85 and it will be increasing to $2.95. In other business, the board: * Approved the hiring of Jennifer Loffer, Highland Primary Title I reading position; Bryan Strain, Snowflake High School weights coach; Garrett Goodrich, SHS English; Jim Johnston, SHS business and Spanish teacher; Jamie Robinson, SHS girls physical education teacher; Valerie Lunt, SHS biology teacher; Natalie Hall, Highland Primary third grade teacher; Rachel Lewis, Highland Primary first grade teacher; Regina Hults, Snowflake Intermediate fourth grade; and Kevin Claridge, law enforcement instructor. * Approved the transfer of Laurie Brimhall, English to history; Rebecca Eggelston, paraprofessional to health tech at Highland Primary; Deon Blaine, Snowflake Junior High to Snowflake Intermediate paraprofessional. * Approved the resignation of Corwin Owen, Taylor Intermediate paraprofessional; Michael Bennett, SHS history teacher; Stacy Heath, Highland Primary third grade teacher; Rebecca Fisher, Taylor Elementary pre-school; Courtney Breedlove, Taylor Elementary paraprofessional; and Travis Reddick, SHS assistant baseball coach. *Approved an annual agreement with Beyond Textbooks. * Approved an annual dual enrollment partnership agreement with Northland Pioneer College. * Approved an annual agreement with Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology. * Approved a graduation photography stipend for Brittany Franco to take pictures at fiscal year 2019-2020 graduation. * The district sought sealed proposals for sanitation services and received two proposals, one from Larson Waste and another from TBS Waste. The board approved a contract with TBS Waste as it was the most advantageous to the district financially at a rate of $1,100 monthly for August through May and $580 from June through July, with a $20 fee for any additional pickups. * Approved a contract with Jostens for 2020-21 Yearbook Services and by request of RFP evaluators, decided to decline all bids for a senior graduation photographer due to the current COVID-19 circumstances. * Approved entering into the second year of a contract with Southwest Food Service Excellence. The final contract is a conservative budget with a guarantee of $4,086. * Approved for first reading on leave policy changes and revisions. * Approved a permanent food service agreement with the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and the newly added Summer Food Service Program.
