By Linda Kor The Joseph City Unified School District Governing Board met on Tuesday, April 13, at which time the board approved teacher and staff pay increases for the district. Full time teachers will receive a base pay increase of $4,000 per year, with part time teachers receiving a prorated amount. Support staff will receive an increase of 75 cents per hour. Substitute bus drivers and maintenance workers will see a 50-cent increase per hour. The management team with salaried positions and the superintendent will receive a three percent pay increase. Certain portions of the Classroom Site Fund (CSF/Proposition 301 and equivalent) pay for teachers and certified specialists will be included in the base salary in the following amounts: There will be an increase of $1,100 for Classroom Site Fund positions and $1,000 for CSF Performance Pay. The support staff pay schedule will increase to the base hourly rate by 50 cents per hour for every level except Levels 1 and 2 (minimum wage) and Level 3 will increase to $12.50 per hour. The board also approved the employee health insurance plans for fiscal year 2021-22. Superintendent Bryan Fields reported that a possible plea deal agreement may be arranged in the coming weeks between the county prosecutor and former employee Tonnie Pugh. Pugh, a former attendance secretary for the JCUSD has been accused of stealing $40,436 in District funds. The district has already been reimbursed by insurance so any repayment of restitution will be sent to them. Items on the agenda included an award to Edge Construction in the amount of $920,000 as the lowest of three bids for the construction of a new roof at Joseph City Elementary School. The funds will be paid through the School Facilities Board Building Renewal Grant. It was noted that the senior trip will take place on May 17, with 24 students and four adults including Shawn Layden, Laurie Bowler, Jeremy and Shealyn Buckley. The trip is centering around activities in the Valley. The district will be conducting an assessment with Trane to look at some upgrades for the systems including plasma air ionizers. The Joseph City Elementary School Book Fair held in March was led by Amy Miller and collected approximately $5,000, which is higher than typically raised. Fields also noted that there has been one applicant for the JCES principal position to be filled with the retirement of Daniel Hutchens from that position. Joseph City High School is looking at design options for an outdoor classroom/gathering space in the courtyard. This may include installing doors from the cafeteria into this area. School fees for the 2021-22 school year were approved by the board. The fees include $45 per high school sport for the first two sports, with any additional sport free; and a cost of $25 per junior high sport for the two sports, with any additional sport free. An activity fee of $20 for high school drama play registration was also approved. Economically disadvantaged families may apply at the office for a waiver or reduction for athletic/activity registration fees. There will be a maximum charge of $200 per family for athletic and activity charges. The cost for activity cards to cover entry to all home athletic events are $25 for senior citizens over 60 years of age, $50 for adults and free for students. A card for immediate family members only is $150. In other business, the board: * Approved volunteer Katherine Frost at the JCHS. * Approved the resignations of Michael Gayer, custodial supervisor and Sam Johnstun, maintenance tech. * Approved assignments for Claire Young, after school tutor; Kory Castellano, teacher’s assistant for JCES special education; and Amy Miller, teacher’s assistant second grade. * Approved the appointments of Joshua Meeks, instructional aide JCES Title I; Paige Murray, substitute teacher; Deidra Smith, kindergarten teacher; and Jeffery “Michael” Strong, Youth, Faith & Family program specialist.
