The Douglas School Board of Education officially adopted its budget for fiscal year 2012/13 at a special meeting July 9.

DUSD Business Manager Cesar Soto addresses both the board and the public during the public hearing on the proposed fiscal year budget July 9. Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch

The adoption followed a brief 17 minute public hearing during which time local resident Mike Nava asked several questions and business manager Cesar Soto explained certain aspects of the budget.

The total budget currently stands at $33,284,134.

One of the questions pertained to the three percent payout to the staff.

Soto said that payout will be done on Aug. 31 in a separate check.

“We talked to the County and they rather have a separate run the same day we have a regular payroll, in other words, everybody (not just teachers) will receive two checks on August 31, the regular paycheck and the three percent lump sum,” he said. “The three consists of the Arizona State Retirement Reimbursement (0.65 percent) and the one time salary increase (2.35 percent). Last year the District decided to add a 1.55 percent addendum to all employees to cover the increase in Retirement but Legislation decided

not to give the District a credit for this and still mandated that we reimburse all employees. We won't have this addendum this school year since the ratios went back to a 50/50 split.”

Soto said the board decided to include the reimbursement in the three percent one-time increase to make this financially painless to the District.

“The amount to be used from the 2013 M&O budget for this purpose will be roughly $375,000.00” he said.

In other action at the special meeting the board approved nonresident tuition for students living outside of Arizona but inside the United States and for high school students living outside of the U.S. borders.

Superintendent Sheila Rogers said she had received a request from several parents who have children living outside the U.S. but wanting to attend school in Douglas.

“They’re trying to do this the right way,” she said.

An opinion was sought from not only the district’s attorney but also the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and it was determined the district can accept students from outside the U.S. as long as they pay the monthly tuition payments as set forth by the board.

In other action the board approved the hiring of Gabriella DiGianDominico, Andrew Garvey, Heather Wulf, Riki Valdez, Patricia Peterson, Elias Rubio, Joseph Drummond, Freddie Rubang, Emily Scott, Ana Gonzalez and Anna Ingiosi as well as several substitute teachers.

Denise Cox had an addenda made to her contract for 13 additional days and Brita Groves, a CTE teacher, for additional days worked outside of her contract.

Classified staff hires for the following were also approved: Jose Pedroza, Beatriz Estrada, Solia Chacon, Jesus Roberto Garcia, Lilly Pintor and Suzette Grijalva.

Rhondora Rebustes and Gemma German had their resignations approved.

Another board meeting will take place July 24 if needed.