001this meeting to order. Um, we have translation services up in the back, devices available for everyone. Okay. Can I have roll call, please? >> Present. Present. >> Present. We do have a quorum. Can we all please stand for the pledge of allegiance, Miss United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. When you may be seated. Item number three, call to the public. Any person wishing to speak concerning an item not on the agenda may present the information at this time. All presentations are limited to a maximum of three minutes. We have seats here in the front as well available. One, two, three, four. Four seats we have available in the front. Okay. No one from the public.
002Nelico. Moving along. Item number four, approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda as presented? >> I make a motion. >> Moved by board clair concha. Do I have a second? >> Second by board member OOS. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> If anyone opposes, please say so by stating nay. Motion carries unanimously. Item number five, approval of the meeting of the minutes. 5.1, approval of the governing board meeting minutes of February 10, 2026. Are there any questions, comments, concerns on the minutes to be approved? Seeing none, do I have a motion to approve the minutes as presented? >> Moved by board member Varela. Do I have a second? >> Second by board member, excuse me, Aoyo. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> If
003anyone opposes, please say so by stating nay. Motion carries unanimously. Um yeah. Item number C, district superintendent, Mrs. Para, 6.1, employee recognitions. >> Hi, good afternoon everybody. Thank you for being here today. I'd like to call Mr. Luis Reyes, please. Okay. Good evening board members, community, the guys district uh employees. Um I'm here and honor to recognize two of my employees at Southwest Junior High. And I would like first to call up uh Susan Ernnandez. And Susie can just come up here. And I want to say a few words about Susan. As Susan is up here, she is one of our spe uh teachers, special education teacher. She is in charge of our life skills class. And I can say that, you know, besides having the best uh spe special education department, uh Susan uh
004has a a big task by working with our life skill students. Um she not only is very um caring with his students, but she makes a difference in her students. Uh we have students that come in and have uh milestones. they they get they uh they do things that we were not expecting. Um not only because of Susan's leadership and I think Susan's leadership is it's it's uh it's amazing uh because she she is very uh diligent and very uh careful in making sure that all the decisions that she makes is the best for her students. Um, and I want to thank that to Susan um, for the great job that she does at her classroom and not only in her classroom but through the whole school. So, thank you. Thank you very much for
005that. And I know that you are very loved because I know your all your staff is here. >> THEY'RE HERE and Susie and just to let you know that speaks a lot that your staff is here supporting you. They're all I know they're always supporting you and you know and your kids you know I know that they're very appreciative of all the great things that you do for them. >> So thank you. Thank you so much Susan. >> Thank you. >> I said I wasn't going to >> you want to say a few words? >> I do. >> I just want to say thank you to the whole school Mr. Reyes especially all the administration and then my team that's right here. Okay, I don't want to cry because we've been through thick and thin
006and I really appreciate you guys. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Susan. My next employee, um, I want to call up Maida A Costa. If you can come up here, PLEASE. Maida is our synergy clerk who we call data clerk. Um part of the office team at Southwest Junior High. Um, Maida has has the the mindset of always growing, you know, always growing, always learning, always wanting to, you know, she's always uh asking Patty, our district uh coordinator here because Mr. Reyes or myself, always asking questions, always asking for data, always, and she's always willing to work with us, always willing to be a team player. And, you know, I appreciate everything you do, Maida. I think you've grown so much in the last since I've known you. I've known you since I started I
007did the ads Arizona desert. Um, but thank you so much for having that mindset that always wanting to learn and always wanting to grow as as yourself and you know you you embody what I want for all my staff. So, thank you. Thank you so much for everything you do at at Southwest and I know we're going to continue doing great things together as staff. So, thank you Susan and thank you Ma for everything you guys do. And this is what this is exact one of some of examples of why Southwest is such such a great school. >> Miss Alto Good afternoon. Okay. Middle schoolante. LIY currently as middle school. Okay. staff administr Middle School. for Scorpion. forcel. They go, "What? Miss, if she can come on up. Thank you. Miss They happen. Don't think
008you're taking her. Louis Middle School. Congratulations. Item number 6.2, principal's report. We have um we have no this report but we do have a report here from the district office. We are currently uh read across America. Uh we have those in all the board members calendars. If you have time swing by any school uh we have um guests coming into all of our schools uh due to the ReadAcross America week. Um, and then also this Friday, we will be wrapping up the Azela assessment, which is the 10 points out of the 100 for a letter grade. Our principles are very, they're exhausted. Our students are exhausted. I'm sure uh the parents are exhausted as well. So, thank you very much. Um, parents, teachers, and principles. Friday will be the last day of the makeups for
009Aella. And then we also in two weeks, board members, we have the Special Olympics. is already on your calendar. If you would like to purchase a shirt at $15, please let Rosio go. It's going to be in March 21st. Saturday is going to be at the uh Jordano City of St. Louis. And then also, uh we're very excited. This is the first time that our students get invited to the Marine Corpse Air Station. Uh they're going to be about 94 kids are going to be traveling to the Marine Corps. They're going to get a a field trip. and we were selected by them. So, we're very excited about that and that's going to be happening this Friday. And then last but not uh least in front of you, you have a district spotlight. We have
010the National Council of Teacher Quality highlighting Gaston Elementary School District. So what they do is they look at um student data, they look at the teacher data, they look at the teacher effectiveness, and I'm not surprised Gassin was selected to be spotlighted in the National Council of Teacher Quality. That's it for the superintendent report. >> Thank you, Mrs. Para. Um great job to everyone that is involved in our what's we have going on here at the district. It is nice to see a full packed house. I know that teachers and principals and educators with the asella testing divvils and everything that we have going on is it can be as strenuous and and and exhausting but um hopefully results will be shown as as usually and and and I agree with board member OOS uh
011not so much as giving out awards but that I wish we could give an award to everyone but um which is very well welld deserved. So thank you for that. Thank you for the events about um with read across America being able we have been able to attend some of them and we will be attending some of the others. Um we're we're trying when and when we get invited and at what time are we having the special Olympics, Mrs. Bara? >> It's going to start as early as 8:00 in the morning. 8:00 >> at your park. Correct. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. Director's report. Anything? Uh, no. >> All right, moving along. Thank you. Item number seven, we have the consent agenda. The items to be are presented for approval with one motion
012unless one of the one of the items wants to be considered by one of the board members in a separate discussion discussion. Item number 7.1, student activity report. Item number 7.2, ratification of vouchers. Item number 7.3, donations. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented? >> I make a motion. >> Moved by Claire uh Koncha. Do I have a second? >> Second by board member Os. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> If anyone opposes, please say so by studying nay. >> Motion carries unanimously. Item number eight, information discussion items 8.1 expenditure report summary. Mr. Burnhart. Uh yes. Good evening members of the governing board and members of the public and staff. Um this is a budget to actual as of uh the end of February 2026. The first
013fund is the maintenance and operations which is the biggest single fund of the district. We have a budget of 40.7 million. We've expended today 22.8 million. We've encumbered 13.3 million in purchase orders and payroll contracts for the remainder of the year. Uh that gives us a budget balance of 4.6 million at the end of this period. uh which is 11.2% of the overall budget. The next fund of importance is uh the MA unrestricted capital outlay fund. It's also known as fund number 610. We have a budget of almost 14 million. We've have expenditures to date of 1.7 million. We've got incumbrances of $600,000. Uh we have a budget balance of 11.7 million at this point and that's 83.7% of that budget. The primary purpose of this budget is for future capital projects which we know
014will be coming up in the near future next few years at the latest. Uh those are the two funds of importance to the district. The rest of them are on the website and in the dropbox for anybody that would care to read them. Uh that's the end of my report. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Burnart. Are there any questions from any of the board members? All right, seeing none, uh moving on, item number 8.2, presentation on food service procedures and guidelines. Mrs. Mrs. Esparza, >> yes. During the call to the public at the governing board meeting on February 10th, 2026, parents expressed concerns regarding snack sales occurring at school sites and how those cells align with student nutrition guidelines. In response to these concerns, um the food service department will provide an overview
015of the regulations, guidelines, and district procedures that govern cafeteria food service and the sale of snacks on school campuses. This information is being provided to ensure transparency and to help the governing board and the community better understand the guidelines that schools must follow when offering or selling food items to our students during the school day. This item will be for information only. I'd like to call Maria and money, please. Thank you. Good afternoon, governing board um staff and public. Um we wanted to give you guys a little bit of an overview as um well first of all Maria Garcia Aila food service assistant director and um we wanted to give you a little bit of an overview of what is a fundraiser. Um a fundraiser is an event that is held at the different schools
016to um raise funds for different activities. We are allowed to do this um by submitting a waiver to the state. Um we request that the schools um whoever is the coordinator for these events um filled out a form uh make sure that the principal uh knows of these activities and um then they send it over to us for review. Once we get that that is submitted to the state. Um once it's submitted to the state it's approved as a waiver. Um a waiver can be any kind of a sale that is held at the different schools. um it cannot be in competition with the cafeteria services. So we cannot have um a fundraiser at the same time that we have meal services. Um there is a restriction of where they are allowed to to be
017um held and also the times. Um we go ahead and um uh see a lot of the waiverss um being submitted for the funding for different programs that happen at the schools. um some of the fun days for the for the students. Um some of the field trips um some of the principles also mentioned that they cover some of the cost of uh field trips and the expense for that uh fees that are also uh paid for the students. Um there's also recognitions, festivals. Um, and one of the biggest things that we see and the students really really appreciate and see um how the district of Gadston goes above and beyond is the the uh graduations and the promotions that we have in the entire county and I think the entire state. There is nobody
018who celebrates like the Gadston district does for our students. And I can tell you because when I post pictures, people are in awe because of what you know the staff and the different schools do for our kids. And it really um it really makes a difference. Um I remember the late Mr. West said, you know, that the promotions that we held at the junior high sometimes would be the one event that really made a difference for them to look forward to having a graduation at high school and so forth. So I know that these are um some of the the um uh benefits of of holding these waivers that we do have. Hello everybody. My name is Manuel Alvarado. I'm the general manager with SF in partnership with Gaston. I just want to touch really
019quick on two points. You know, when when all this is said and done and it's approved by the state, they can run this five days in a row. That means Monday to Friday, they cannot break it like if they start Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and then Monday, Tuesday has to be five days in a row and cannot exceed over 75 days uh per school. So like Maria mentioned before uh this program the fundraisers cannot compete with other breakfast or lunch uh the national school lunch program. So uh once again we follow all the rules and regulations from the state we get the approve and then we execute the uh the fundraisers. >> Any questions or comments from board members? Thank you. >> I >> Thank you, Maria and Manny. >> Mrs. Para or any of the
020principles, do we have an issue with our own employees selling junk food um secretly? >> Sorry, >> I don't know what other word to use, which was the main concern. I'm not aware of any um employees selling junk food to our students, but um I'll find out. >> Student advisor, our employees. >> Yeah, I think one of the concerns that came up is that one of our employees was selling the snacks, but our employees are the sponsors for the different clubs like student council, um the dance team, the cheerleading team. So, our employees are the sponsors of those groups. >> Okay, let me rephrase the question. Are we aware of any employees selling any thing to our students outside of our policies, rules, or guidelines or laws of the state of Arizona? >> No, we're
021not. >> Okay. >> We're not aware of any teacher selling secretly to our students. >> All right. Thank you for that. Um, with that, item number 9.2, Two, Arizona School Board Association Policy Services Advisory 960. Second and final reading. Mrs. Para, >> did you skip one, Mr. >> My apologies. Item number nine. >> Yes. >> Action items. Action 9.1, discussion of establishing an annual grandparents celebration day. Mrs. Esparza. >> Okay. Governing board president, Mr. De Laoya. Mr. Telo de Laoya is requesting the governing board to discuss electing a day to recognize and celebrate grandparents as an annual event within the school district. Grandparents often play an important role in supporting students, families, and the educational community. Many grandparents serve as caregivers, mentors, and and sources of encouragement for students. Recognizing grandparents throughout a district-wide celebration
022would provide an opportunity for schools to acknowledge their contributions and strengthen connections between families and the school community. Mr. De Laoya would like the governing board to consider selecting a date for an annual grandparent celebration day to be observed across the district. Once the date is established, district and school staff can coordinate appropriate activities and communication to support their recognition each year. The administrative recommendation is that the governing board discuss and provide direction regarding the selection of a date to establish an annual celebration recognizing grandparents throughout the school district as presented. >> Okay. So, I asked Mrs. Para to add this item. I I was just not thinking. I I was cleaning my email and I saw an email that I sent myself back in 2020 and I guess never made it to the agenda
023as to celebrating our grandparents not only that work for the city but that take care of uh of our children as well. We have a lot of families that act as as caregivers to our students and our children's. Um but I didn't want to decide upon myself if the if you know if the board desired to move forward with this idea. So that's why it's on the agenda as to what you think about establishing a grandparents day celebration. Um from board members, I don't know any thoughts from staff. You're also more than welcome to come up to the microphone and share any ideas or thoughts that you might have. Um and if this is something that we want to do, >> it's like it's the same just as one day. >> Yeah. But we don't
024have idea in USA or the district. So, but >> but yes, but I said it's the same. It's like the same. >> Um actually I think it's a really good idea and I love because I was raised as well by my grandma and it's really appreciate you think about that. Uh personally that touched my heart and I think it's really sweet to do something for our grandparents. What I was thinking about it is doing um the second or third um Monday of September. Normally Mexico that's the country who celebrate the lao and normally is the second Sunday of every September. So I'm suggesting to be after that day because Sunday I mean everybody is going to spend the time with the family and I suggest to be the next day after that that day and
025I think we should do something something else not just a day I mean implement a day and I mean I'm pretty sure we can do like a festival something because I mean we taking the time to I mean be thankful for those grandpas I want to say on my own my grandma she's really important to me. I mean, she she's old, but I really love my grandma and I'm pretty sure it's really important to celebrate those people that take care of us when we couldn't take care about oursel. >> Um, my comment is that I think it's a good idea and especially if it coincides with some other like festival that the the schools might have. So it wouldn't be like more work for the for the staff if it you know something that may
026probably be established but is not doesn't have a name or we could add on the name and it would be for the grandparents. Thank you. I also agree, sorry. I also agree with that especially because a lot of the grandmothers and grandps uh take cares of their grandkids um during the school um time. So yes, I I 100% approve or agree with that. Thank you. All right. Um, >> yeah, I also I agree with wishing not more work to the employees. So, how about can we agree to give direction to the administrators team to decide like a date and time and that way you just give us a date. That way we don't create that strain on employees and or students or schools to do a celebration. >> Okay. Do you want us to look
027at days that we already um celebrating and we can add it to grand celebrating grandparents day? Is that what I'm hearing you say? >> Just whatever you administrators decide on either to not to replace one. We we want to celebrate our grandparents. So it should be a grandparents day. >> Okay. >> I think that's what we all agree. But we don't want to create extra work for our employees either. >> Okay. Let me bring it back to the um admin meetings of principal meeting and then in the next board meeting we'll give you a a day. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Thank you everyone for supporting this. Um, so there's directive on item 9.1, item 9.2, Arizona School Board Association Policy Services Advisory 960. Second and final reading. Mrs. Esparza, >> the Arizona School Board Association
028provides the services for updating our district policies. The Attach advisories have been brought to you the board for second and final reading. The administrative recommendation is to approve the Arizona School Board Association Policy Advisory 960 as presented. >> Thank you. >> I make a motion. >> Um, hold on. Are there any questions, comments, or concerns on this item? >> Seeing none, there was moved by Cler Koncha. Do I have a second? >> Second by board member Varela. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. If anyone opposes, please say so by stating nay. Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you. Item number 9.3 approval of the >> Yes. >> Do you mind if we go back a little bit to 9.1 just to get a first and a second on your recommendation? >>
029It was just direct broad directive to to the administrators. >> So there's not a first or a second. No motion. >> No, the directive was clear. I don't I didn't see any no one saying no. So >> back you know it's the drawing table of administrators. Again we don't want to impose. You guys are the ones who are here every day. So and if it doesn't work just let us know I guess and and we can work around that. Does that clarify? Thank you. Moved second and approved. 9.2 two. Correct. >> Item number 9.3 approval of the intergovernmental agreement between the Gazan Elementary School District and the city of St. Louis. Mrs. Para, >> the purpose of this agreement is to establish the terms and conditions under which the district may use facilities belonging to
030the city and the city may use facilities belonging to the district. The intergovern agreement has been reviewed and approved by the district attorney. The administrative recommendation is to approve the IGA between Geston Elementary School District and the city of Sunrise as presented. >> Thank you. >> Are there any questions or comments on the agreement? Um, Mrs. Par, when was this agreement brought to you by the city? >> Signed, >> brought to you brought to your attention >> the first time. the first time that it the when we started the process or when it this one was brought to me signed and cleared by the city. >> No, when it was required by the city that you needed to in order for us to conduct the um our emergency plan. >> If I'm not mistaken, the
031uh the whole process between the city and us started back in gosh, I want to say maybe October, November. It was brought to our attention. We started developing the IG. Um, at the same time we were developing the EOP plan. Um, it went back and forth through our attorneys. Uh, but about a month ago, um, we were using the city's park, but about a month ago, we were notified that, um, they had first asked for the insurance. For insurance, we went ahead and emailed them our insurance, our liability. Um, and then about a month and a half ago, if I'm not mistaken, not more than two months, um, it was brought to our attention that there needed to be an IGA in place. So, we kind of in the last two months, we kind of
032rushed it. Uh, it brought to the city and they approved and that is how I'm bring that is why I'm bringing it to you now. >> Okay. So, we had provided the our certificate of >> liability insurance to them, right? >> Yes. Rosa, when did we provide the certificate of insurance the first time? >> Yeah, >> within two days after they required the insurance we provided, >> right? It comes from the trust. So, the trust emails it to them. >> And for the record, the Gas School District was not holding to this agreement for months and months. Is that correct? >> That's correct. >> Thank you. It was said otherwise in my previous meeting when this was approved by the city that the Gston school district had been holding on to this agreement for months
033which is not true. I just wanted that on the record. >> Yeah. Well, it was it was um and just to clarify it was a process with the uh the EOP negotiating EOPS and looking at EOPS and going back and forth with our district attorney. Um I think that the problem was that we weren't aware that the IGA needed to be in place so that we could use the parts. Um the only thing that we were aware of um and what was asked from the district was the insurance. >> Thank you for that. >> If no further question is there >> Yes, Mr. President. This uh EGA between the Gaston is >> it's an IGA between the Gaston School District and the city of San >> it's on the agreement. So this agreement is for
034um mostly so we could use their parks because we're u conducting the reunification drills. >> That's why it came about. >> Okay. Thank you. >> That's correct. >> Anything anyone else? >> So the term to answer the question it's in your packet is for five years unless otherwise agreed by the city and by the school district. >> Correct. That's what I have in my packet. >> Correct. >> Okay. Anyone else? If not, do I have a motion to approve the agreement as presented? >> I make a motion. >> Moved by board cler koncha. Is there a second? >> Second by board member OOS. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> If anyone opposes, please say so by stating nay. Motion carries unanimously. Item number 9.4 approval of donation of of television sargasm elementary
035school. Mrs. Para, >> we are requesting approval for a donation from um board clerk, Mr. Mark Goncha for 12 televisions at 363 uh and 14 cents each, including taxes, totaling a total donation of 4,357 with 68 cents for Gaston Elementary School. The administrative recommendation is to approve donation of televisions for Gaston Elementary School as presented. Are there are there any questions, comments or concerns regarding this donation? >> Mr. Person, yes, I will abstain due to conflict of interest. >> So noted um board cler coc abstaining on this item due to possible conflict of interest. Do I have any questions or comments from any of the other board members? Hearing none, do I have a motion to approve the donation as presented? >> Make a motion. >> Moved by board member Oo. Do I have a
036second? Second by board member Varela. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> If anyone opposes, please say so by stating nay. >> I'm I'm abstain. >> Okay. Motion carries four eyes to one abstension by Mr. Koncha. Thank you, Mr. Koncha. Item N 9.5, acceptance of the Gazen School District annual financial audit package for fiscal year that ended in June 30 30th, 2025. Mr. Burnhard. >> Uh, yes. Um, this is a yearly thing. After the audit's been completed and all of the files have been delivered to the district, we're required to go to the governing board for the governing board to be aware of these audits and all the files included in the audits and for them to have the opportunity to read all that boring information that's there so that
037they are aware of the audit itself and what what it means. Anyway, the Dropbox has all the files necessary and the governing board to review this um file audit file for fiscal year in June 30th, 2025. It's accepted by roll call vote by each attending board member at a public meeting of the board after the receipt from the audit firm. The final reporting package is included on the dropbox. It contains a comm communication letter to the governing board, general representation letter by district officials, a USFR compliance questionnaire, and the annual comprehensive financial report itself plus the single audit reporting package which is the called the single audit report which is required every year as well. The fiscal or administrative recommendation is to accept the district annual financial report package for fiscal year in June 30th
03825 by roll call vote. Thank you Mr. Bhart. Are there any questions, comments and concerns? I want to thank the staff and finance and administration u the audit going through the audit pocketed packet and all those documents. Uh there were no material misstatements or major issues during the audit if I'm correct. >> It was a clean audit. We didn't have any audit findings that were reportable this year. First year in a few. >> Yes. >> So that reflects our good financial accountability and transparency. Correct. And the documents are easily readily available for anyone. >> Yes. >> Okay. With that, >> yeah, they're on our website. They're also at the state websites. And now you all have them. >> Thank you, Mr. Brown. >> So with that, I'm going to move to accept the district annual
039financial audit package for fiscal year ending in June 30th, 2025. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Moved by me, seconded by Koncha. Can I have a roll call vote, please? >> Hi. Maroncha >> I de la >> I >> Rosi Varela >> I >> Nana Royo >> I >> motion carries unanimously. Thank you. >> Item 9 9.6 approval of the annual general statement assurance GSA for fiscal year 2026 2027. Mr. Brownhart. >> Yes. This is another required uh statement of asurances. is done every fiscal year in order for us to receive any federal and state grants through the Department of Education. Um, all subreients are required to have a current general statement of assurance on file at the Arizona Department of Education. Completion and submission of the GSA is required to receive assistance
040funding for fiscal year 2627. And this general statement of assurance is submitted electronically after approval. Uh the administrative recommendation is to approve the annual general statement of assurance GSA for fiscal year 2627 as presented. Thank you. Are there any questions, comments or concerns? Seeing none, is there a motion to approve the annual general statement assurance for fiscal year 2627 as presented? So move >> moved by board member Varela. Do I have a second? >> Second by board member. Was it who said it first? >> Aoyo. >> All right. Sorry. >> This is my last name. >> Move and second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> If anyone opposes, please say so by stating nay. Motion carries unanimously. Item number 10, discussion and possible action to approve the following personal items. 10 10.1
041verification and/or new employment. Miss Bayestto. >> Yes. Uh good afternoon. Uh we have a couple of new positions. Um they're all uh stated on there. Most of them are uh district-wide substitute cooks. Uh we do need them at the school when they call in sick. They're very short-handed. So we're adding uh the sub cooks uh districtwide. The administrative recommendation is to approve the personnel action as presented pending proper certification and clearance. >> Thank you, Miss Aestto. Are there any questions on any of the employees or proposals from 1 to 15? Seeing none, is there a motion to approve as presenting pending proper certification? >> So moved by board member Barella. Do I have a second? >> Second by board clerk. All those in favor signify by saying I. I >> if anyone opposes please say
042so by stating nay. Motion carries unanimously. Item number 10.2 resignations. Meros. >> Yes. We have two resignations and the letters are attached. The administrative recommendation is to approve the resignations as presented. >> Are there any questions, comments or concerns on item one or two on the agenda? >> Seeing none, is there a motion to approve the resignations as presented? >> Make a motion. Moved by board cler koncha. Is there a second? >> Seconded by board member Oos. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> If anyone opposes, please say so by saying nay. Motion carries unanimously. Item number 10.3 leave of absence. Missos, >> we do have one request for a leave of absence and it's to complete uh her student teaching and the administrator recommendation is to approve the year leave of absence
043as presented. >> Thank you. Are there any questions to approve that leave of absence as requested? >> Seeing none, is there a motion to approve the year? Leave of senses is presented. >> So moved by one member Varela. Is there a second? >> Second by member Aoyo. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> If any opposes, please say so by saying nay. >> Motion carries unanimously. Item number 10. or returning from legal from leave of absence. Miss Vestto, >> this is an information item for the board. Uh this teacher has completed um the leave of absent and is returning and it's information only. >> Thank you. >> Item number 10.5 transfers and salary changes. >> So we have a total of five and the administrative recommendation is to approve the transfers and salary
044changes as presented. Thank you. Are there any questions on number one through five presented on the transfers and salary changes? >> If not, do I have a motion to approve as presented? So move. >> Moved by member Varela. Do I have a second? >> Second by board cler koncha. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> If there opposes, please say so by stating nay. >> Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Miss Vestto. Um item number 11, approval of the superintendent contract. I have um negotiated and reviewed the contract that is presented that has been in your file since last Thursday. Um the contract proposes and outlines a superintendent's responsibilities compensation benefits performance expectations consistent with board policies applicable laws the state of Arizona and Arizona revised statutes as I reviewed it with the attorney.
045Um it was a not a lot of work but it took us a few hours so we could make it when on what it was fair on Miss um SS Para's request and what we can we could work with. As for president, it is my duty to protect the district and also our superintendent um Miss Espar was presented with this agreement last week more or less and she was allowed to review the contract or to present it to her attorney if she so desired. Um she agreed to the terms of this contract that it's attached. Um and before moving to any comments or questions from board members on the HR perspective Miss Vestto, do you have anything to say? >> I do have a couple of questions. >> I I'll move to the I I'll
046move to the board next. U Mrs. Para, anything to add to what I just did I miss anything? and she agreed to have the discussion in public and not to have it under closed doors behind executive session for the record. Anything you want to add before we I move to the board for any questions or comments? >> No. >> You were in agreement, right, during our negotiations? >> Yes, I am. >> Okay. Thank you. With that, are there any questions or comments from the board? >> Yes, Mr. Contra. Um, Miss Viserto, I have a couple of questions for you and I'm pretty sure you can help me with that information. How many of you uh how many years of experience Miss Esparsa has? >> So, she's currently on her fourth year >> for >> this
047is her fourth year as a superintendent. >> It's not the fifth by any chance. >> Is it the fifth? >> I'm ending my fifth year. >> She's she's ending her fifth year. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm taking a year from her. I apologize, Mrs. Espa. So, five. Look at my gray hairs. >> I I do have another question. What's the difference between Gazden and Crane Elementary District? >> So currently just in salary we're looking at about let me do the math real quick about 26,000 just with the starting salary. So Gadston is about 26,000 right now below. What about in this in district uh district wide? I mean, how many students I mean I'm pretty I hear all the time that is really I mean you can compare Gazen with Crane as the schools students
048are pretty much the same. Right. >> Correct. So there's uh for everybody here present uh elementary school districts is Gadston, Summerton, Crane and Yuma Elementary. So those are our four Yuma County elementary school districts. the ones as far as that were closest as far as student numbers would be most comparable to crane. >> Perfect. >> Um, but I do see a big gap between the salary from each uh superintendent between the Mrs. Para and the current uh crane superintendent. How many years of experience he have? >> So, they just appointed a new superintendent that will begin July 1st. uh he uh has not been a superintendent in the past so it would be his first year July 1st >> and we see a big gap between an unexperienced superintendent and Mrs. Parza that she almost
049have five years right >> correct >> so uh Mr. um de la I strongly suggest to match crane superintendent uh superintendent salary to be uh the one that we can pay to Mrs. para because it's fair to pay the same amount to someone who is I mean doing something correct. I mean we are number one on Juma County and I'm pretty sure uh her we of course all the help from each student is I mean teacher and principal and everyone uh is involved on this on this dayto-day um how I can say day-to-day operation to pay Mrs. Sparsa the same salary that the Korean superintendent they have right now. So what I say is instead of paying her on the new contract the 153 uh what's the amount 153500 to be 167 uh 167,267. Okay.
050Um, so for the record, we did negotiated the salary when it came to that. Like Miss Viceto said, there was a big gap. Um, I was not not opposed to that. However, my duty to protect the district. It was what I negotiated. Um, I don't disagree with that. I don't know what the rest of the board members have to say. >> Well, I I think it's deserved. Although I always said I'm I was gonna vote no. But the thing is that I would like to see that uh with all the rest of the teachers, the directors. That's that's where and I don't know if we can do that in the very near future, but at least I I would like that to be taken into consideration. >> Can I add to that, Mr. Deoya? >>
051Sure. >> We are that highest paid teacher. We are the highest paid salaries. We are the highest benefits uh in Yuma County. So um regardless of men, you know, um we are the highest paying district for teachers, we are the highest paid for administrators and we are the highest paid for classified. So um you know when as Mrs. Espara came in, she slowly moved all the groups to be the highest paid in Yuma County, including with uh benefits, which is um health insurance. >> And with that being said, and to clarify, there's a clause that she agreed to that she'll be compensated accordingly, if any increases occur to the other administrative level positions, it's already been taken care of in this new contract. So it'll be equitable according to other employees. So it is we
052have that clause already in this in this new contract. Um so that takes care of that board member OOS's. Um remember Varela board member Royo I agree with Mr. Koncha that we are number one in Yuma County for the last three years. And um I think she deserve she has worked very hard as as much as you the all the employees of our district. So I agree with you Mr. Koncha that she should deserve at least the a match with this new superintendent that he has just a I mean it's her his first year. So that's what I say. Thank you, Mr. Aoyo. >> No, I I saw the the contract is Oh, >> Mrs. Bara, it's it's a wonderful and like a superintendent and we are the number one in the last three years.
053So, it's not it's not no new nothing new here. So, it's it's fine. So, >> so you're okay. It is new because we it is a big race and again I I was not being I was to be >> I'm sorry Mr. President but I say it's not excited but it's I understand it's it's a very good the superintendent for the for our district. So it's a try to say that. >> So you agree with Mr. Koncha? >> I I agree with what I say. >> So that's a yes or no? >> Yes. Um, so with that being said, and for the record, I was not trying to be codo. What's the word? >> A miser. >> What's the word miss? >> Well, in Spanish, but >> Cautious. Again, it was my duty. I did
054negotiate it that not that amount, but we did talk about And do you want to say anything when it to negotiating us the contract, Mrs. Pa? That way they don't think I'm the one. Um, I just I I just really want to thank Tado. He went um back and forth in his uh d uh he did his due diligence in um you know um looking at a couple of things. He did add um the percentage administrators get a raise. He did put it in my contract that wasn't in my contract. Um he did look at the comparisons with the other superintendent. Um he did spend a lot of time and I was very appreciative of what Mr. Tado had done in my contract. >> Thank you. >> He asked me a couple of times, a
055couple of days. He actually came like three days in a row um asking me if I wanted something different and you know I kept saying no. Thank you for taking care of me. >> Thank you. >> You're not considered. >> So with No, I just wanted that that I I'm not on the record for going down aso. can't think of the word in English but it's I know it's there >> um yeah so the performance pay it's also in the contract so we need to meet that about that before the fiscal year no yes before the fiscal year ends there's also a pro uh um provision for her evaluation to be done as the board deems necessary uh compensation there are term uh the additional benefits uh there was a request for professional obligations with
056that's uh not allowed by the state of Arizona. So we couldn't provide that. However, we we we we added a provision for professional organizations achieved in proper if she wants to participate for professional her own professional development and I think there's a provision for any additional benefits. There's a provision negotiable provision for termination of the contract by both either or both parties. All of them are negotiable. nothing no politic nothing behind it and there's the additional terms include the qualifications uh separability and the choice of law and the exhibi it's the performancebased compensation plan that we by law have to go you know into an executive session for that to to be conducted at a later date between May and June 15. Any more questions or comments on the agreement? Okay. If not, is there
057a motion to approve the agreement as presented with the change of the salary being at $167,000 to 162? >> I make a move. >> Moved by board member Varela. Is there a second? Second. Second by board cler koncha. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. If anyone opposes, please say so by stating nay. All right. Motion carries unanimously. CONGRATULATIONS. >> Thank you. Uh is there a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> I make a motion. >> Moved by board member Os. Is there a second? >> Second by board clerk Koncha. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> If opposes, please say so by saying nay. >> All right. Motion K. Thank you everyone. Thank you for being here. Full house. We have a great evening. Thank