The Joseph City Unified School District Governing Board met last week and approved a 2% pay increase for most employees on the following pay schedules: teacher and certified specialist, support staff, management team and classified specialist, and extra duty 1.
Board President Eldon Larson stated that he hoped a method could be found to increase the amount. “I think we really need to look into this. If you look at where our base pay is compared to the state average, we are well under.”
Superintendent Bryan Fields pointed out that a lot of districts, the bigger districts like those in Phoenix can afford to pay more, adding that these districts also load in their performance pay up front.
Regarding increasing teacher pay, Board Member Andrew Bushman stated, “We’ve got a pool and some other stuff we’re really going to have to look at because where are we going to get more funding? I think we’re going to get to a hard choice. At what point are we going to start losing teachers because they’re not getting enough pay?”
Board Member Rhonda Roberson noted that there are benefits to living in this area such as the rent being not as high here as in neighboring towns. “The bottom line is if you don’t have it, you can’t pay it.” It was recommended that a work session be held to address the issue. Fields noted this is really a good faith effort at this time. There are unknowns for the coming year. It was decided that the discussion would be delved into more at an upcoming budget session.
Fields reported that the Arizona Corporation Commission will be paying a visit to the community in connection with the closure of Cholla Power Plant. “I am waiting to hear back from them on a date. I expect it to be in March or April,” noted Fields. “I would like to organize a community meeting before this to see if we can build some consensus on important issues before their meeting. They are having several meetings throughout Northern Arizona in an effort to obtain feedback on the impact of plant closures and the coal transition process.”
Fields also noted that the schools received over $18,500 in tax credit donations. Karsten Flake said, “It’s a good opportunity to have that come into the school.” It was also in Fields’ report that the district is working with some organizations in April to plant some trees at the campuses as part of an Arbor Day program.
Fields explained that the district is working in conjunction with the Joseph City Utilities Company to appropriately connect a water meter and water line to the wrestling/weightlifting building. Apparently, it was not connected as it should have been several years ago when it was built.
The Joseph City High School roofing project is almost complete. “I am working with the School Facilities Board to cover the increase of cost in materials for the elementary roofing project, which is ready to begin. The structural work is completed. I am also working with the SFB to assist the district with a compressor on the AC condenser unit that is not working in the auditorium,” noted Fields.
In other business, the board: * Approved expense vouchers.
* Approve the disposal of surplus property.
* Approved the elementary office/playground aide position.
* Approved the extra duty stipend for a dyslexia specialist.
* Approved the FY 23 extra duty appointment of Ruth Hansen, dyslexia specialist.
* Approved volunteers James Cooksey, Joseph City High School; Patrick Morris, bus driver; and Jean Varney, teacher.
* Approved the appointment of new personnel and changes to positions of current personnel for Felicia Bowler, substitute teacher; Drew Colligon, instructional aide; Joseph Fischer, Sarya Heward, Cambria Miller and Ava Hancock, child care workers (Youth, Faith & Family Grant); Aaron Johnstun, junior varsity coach high school track; and Ledra Lake, substitute teacher.
* Approved Robert Larson as the swimming pool manager.
* Authorized the bi-annual release of 5% of the superintendent’s contract based on standards set by the governing board for evaluation of the superintendent. This amount is deducted from the annual superintendent’s contract amount and is released twice a year.
