Winslow Unified School District Business Manager Shirley Lomeli gave a brief outline of the budget to the district governing board June 22.

The proposed maintenance and operations budget for the 2017-18 school year totals $12.6 million, down just $2,000 from the previous year. The projected capital funds budget is nearly $1.3 million, down from last year’s $1.5 million budget. Lomeli cited a drop in student numbers as the reason for the drop in allotted funds.

The proposed teachers’ salary increase of 1.06 percent is included in the budget projections, as are the new wages to be paid to all employees of the district as the minimum wage increases over the next three years based on voter approval of Proposition 206.

Of the budget changes Lomeli said, “We are really going to have to look hard this year.”

Board member Al Leonard noted, “As administrators and leaders, we need to be approachable about budget and salary concerns.”

The board approved the tentative budget and the posting of it on the Arizona Department of Education website at www.azed.gov as of July 1. It will be presented to the board July 7 for final adoption.

Superintendent Cyndie Mattox informed the Board of the TALON program, a web based dual enrollment partnership with Northland Pioneer College (NPC). Elementary Spanish, Algebra and American Government will be available in Winslow High School’s computer lab and led in real time by instructors from varying NPC campuses.

Mattox also notified the board of a calculus textbook being considered for approval. As is policy and procedure, the book will be on display for anyone to view for 60 days before approval is considered.

In other matters, the board:

* Approved a new salary placement schedule for directors and school front office personnel that reflects the new minimum wage standards.

* Approved a request to establish checking and savings accounts at both Wells Fargo and Bank of the West, and authorize signers for student activities and auxiliary operations accounts. Signers include Mattox, Lomeli, WHS Principal Justin Hartman and Winslow Junior High School Principal Darlene McCauley.

* Approved Walmart and Casey’s Color Center as sole service providers for the upcoming school year, as were corporate credit card limits and authorization of a borrowing request document in connection with the district’s credit line at Wells Fargo.

* Approved the early release and delayed start calendar for the 2017-18 school year.

* Approved edited position descriptions for all faculty and employees.

* Approved one employee and three others to travel to Acoma, N.M., July 9-13 for an Indian Education Committee workshop.

* Approved revisions to policies by the Arizona Department of Education for first reading.

The district continues its partnership with Sonic and the board approved sums raised and donated by Sonic over the last month, including $84.22 to Bonnie Brennan Elementary School, $101.11 to Jefferson Elementary School and $142.46 to Washington Elementary School. Other funds collected were $472.35 to Jefferson School for participation in www.schoolstore.com.

The next board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 7, in the meeting room at 800 Apache Avenue, second floor.