A statewide a lawsuit by Qwest will cost the district residents more money, and could be just one of several utility lawsuits filed against the state.

The board received this news at its regular Tuesday, August 5 meeting. All were present except  board member Patricia Lopez.

The .04 percent increase in the primary tax rate for the district is due to the cost of the Qwest lawsuit involving a judgment awarded for excess property tax valuations and involved all 15 counties.

Both the County Schools Superintendent and Board of Supervisors offices have advised school districts on how to pay the amounts owed, which is approximately $46,500 for Cochise County.

The cost is minimal for Douglas taxpayers though. The increase in the rate will cost an additional $3.40 on a home valued at $85,000.

The concern is that other utilities will follow suit, and taxpayers may be looking at even more increase due to these settlements.

The board also approved the first reading of its one-foot thick policy manual.

The District  has been working on correcting and updating the manual for the last 14 months.

Also, Superintendent Earl Petit, in addressing a question posed by the board, said that in his investigation concerning late contract acceptance

In his research over the last four years of contracts, there has not been any violation of teacher or administrators contracts. The confusion results from the timeline, Petit said. The contract has to be into the district 30 days from the time a teacher or administrator receives it, not 30 days from the time it was issued.

But there seems to have been delays between the time the contract has been issued and the time the instructor receives it. There is also no place on the contract where it is dated when the teacher receives it.

He said he is making changes first to have the contracts approved no later than April 15 each year and have it in the teacher’s hands no later that April 30. There will also be a place on the front page of the contract for it to be dated.

In other action , the board:

Approved donations from Lorneza Company LLC ($25); Gateway Feathers ($250) and Wal-Mart ($500) to the DHS girls soccer team towards the cost of registration to attend the NAU soccer camp and school supplies with an approximate value of $400 from Southwest Gas employees.

Approved assistant principal (Faras/Sarah Marley) hire, Cynthia Ortega, at a salary of $52,000; Teacher Induction Coach hire, Kathy Ballard, at a salary of $32,152; and P.E. teacher (elementary schools) hire, Ron Shelton, at a  salary of $32,990.

Approved  the following substitute teachers: Allan Gordon and Cecilia Greth, $80/day; Roberto Novoa, Roger Ball and Maria Poetter , $70/day; and  Jennifer Forsythe and Nick Greer, $50/day.

Approved  assistant volleyball coach (MS) hire, Rebecca Saspe, at a salary of $883; assistant volleyball coach (MS) hire, Joanie Duarte, at a salary of $883; head football coach (MS) hire, Hector Gomez, at a salary of $1,545; football coach (MS) hire, Daniel Ellsworth, at a salary of $883; and assistant football coach (MS) hire, Ron Shelton, at a salary of $883.

Approved Campus Security Officer (DHS) hire, Eddie Trevizu, at an hourly rate of $10.15; Instructional Aide (Sarah Marley) hire, Maribel Schmitt, at an hourly rate of $9.12; Instructional Aide (Sarah Marley) hire, Rosa Navarro, at an hourly rate of $8.87; Secretary Ill (DHS) hire, Noelle Robles, at an hourly rate of $11.21; and Attendance Clerk (DHS) hire, Briza Grubb, at an hourly rate of $9.38 (Category VIII).

Approved  stipends in the amount of $1,600 each for Luis Greer for extra duties/responsibilities as First Aid/CPR instructor and bus driver training instructor.

Approved revisions to the following job descriptions: Maintenance/Transportation secretary — from 11 month to 12 month position; and Maintenance Crew Supervisor— additional duties.

Approved the following support staff salary placements: Frank Ybarra, AV Tech — from $18.07 to $19.88; Jesus Figueroa, AV Tech — from $11.31 to $12.16; Marco Durazo, IT Tech 11 — from $12.43 to $13.36; Mark Berumen, IT Tech I — from $11.25 to $12.09; Ramon De La Mora, IT Tech II — from $12.87 to $14.16; Guadalupe Amaya, IT Tech I — from $11.33 to $12.18; Fernando Quinonez, Maintenance Crew Supervisor — from $13.58 to $15.58; Sylvia Moulinet, Community Liaison/Drop Out Prevention-from $10.17 to $10.68; and Minerva Durazo, TA @ ELC — increase in hours from 3 to 6.5 per day

√ Approved a revision to Policy exhibit GDBA-EB “Support Staff Salary Schedules”.

√ Approved UofA-South students to complete their methods block observations with the district for the 2008/2009 fall semester.

√ Approved the following support staff resignations:Anita Lugo, custodian , Sarah Marley; Sergio Ruvalcaba, custodian, DHS; Patricia Sugarman, instructional aide,  DHS.  

√Approved ASU interns to complete their classroom teaching practice experience during the 2008/2009 fall semester.

√ Approved  Earth Science teacher (DHS) hire, Deborah Satterfield, at a salary  $35,914.05.

√ Approved of Excess Utilities Plan for FY2008/2009, pursuant to ARS15-910.03.

√Approved Continuing Investment Resolution with Cochise County Treasurer’s office.

√ Approved Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AZ State University for the Leadership’s Intern Certificate Masters (In-MAC) program.

√ Approved  authorized signatures of Superintendent Earl Petit and Human Resource Director Mary Good  for District banking accounts at Wells Fargo.

√ Approved Hearing Officers Earl Petit and Mary Good for the 2008/2009 school year.

√ Authorized superintendent to sign extra duty compensation stipends and addenda on the Governing Board’s behalf.

√ Approved  first reading of revisions to DUSD #27 Policy Manuals after review performed by AZ School Boards Association.

The next regular board meeting will be on September 2.