The Douglas School Board of Education reluctantly agreed at its board meeting July 24 to raise the school lunch fees for this year.
 The Central Administration Business Office received a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for fiscal year 2011 at the July 24 board meeting. Pictured above are, left to right, Norma Nerio, Laura Martinez, Cesar Soto, Sonia Barcelo, Maureen Calderon and Terry Dillman. Not pictured is Barbi Escarcega. Trisha Maldonado/Douglas Dispatch |
Board member Mike Ortega expressed concern over the increase stating the hardship it could have on families with one or more kids. The financial increase was examined on weekly, monthly and yearly average.
“We have to do it,” Jackson told the board. “Every school across the nation is doing the same thing.”
In the end the board agreed to raise the lunch fees five cents from $1.95 to $2 for elementary age kids and 20 cents, from $1.95 to $2.15 for high school aged students.
The new fees will start when school begins Aug. 2.
Adult meals increased from $2.50 to $3.
Jackson said reduce lunch prices will remain the same for those who qualify and breakfast will remain free to all students regardless of income.
In other action at the meet the board accepted a property donation from the Douglas Chapter of the American National Red Cross. The property is located at 1445 and 1449 E. 15th Street.
DUSD Superintendent Sheila Rogers said once additional funding is found the board can decide how the buildings will be used.
The board also approved a professional services agreement by Geraldina Trevino as an international education evaluator for Douglas High School students.
A lease agreement with Cochise College for use of Douglas High School classrooms, equipment, CTE laboratories for college classes was also approved at a fee of $250 per month for 10 months.
The board also approved a performance pay plan for 2012/13. In accordance with state law the 2012/13 DUSD District’s 301 performance pay plan is an 11 element plan for each eligible member to follow at each individual school site. Non-compliance with any element of the plan shall forfeit the percentage of compensation for that element.
The board also approved the NAU Gear Up / Explore program for the district middle schools. NAU Gear Up is a federally funded program intended to help parents and students become more aware of college choices. It is comprised of two initiatives. The first is explore which is an assessment given to all eighth grade students so they can become more aware of what kind of career choices might fit them. The second is Gear Up which stands for gaining early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programs. The program calls for a Gear up coordinator, hired by DUSD but funded through NAU to track this year’s seventh grade students from now through high school.
The board met in executive session for close to 45 minutes to discuss four teachers seeking release of their contracts.
When the meeting resumed board member Ortega made a motion that Irasema Canez be released from her contract with no liquidating damages and she be eligible for rehire.
Guadalupe D. Chavez Montano also had her employment contract canceled but with liquidated damages and she not be eligible for rehire.
Susan Nield and Albert Lomeli were also released from their contracts and assessed liquidated damages and both are not eligible for rehire.
During the consent portion of the agenda the board approved the hiring of the Juan Esquer, Laureen Kendig, Geraldine Redondo, Diane Baird and substitute teachers, Judy Herbert, Tanner Herbert, Megan DeCourse, Evelyn Arvizu, Rory Baumgartner, Toni Barringer, Mary Louise Vigil, Michael Chavez, Jacqueline Smith, Daniel Aguilera, Jacobo Limon, Lourdes Barron-Valetin, Tamara Birch and Bill Kimble.
Vicky Merritt, Guy Hudson, Manny Barco, Jacobo Limon and Ron Ellsworth were all approved as volunteers for the district.
Classified staff hires were approved for the following: Mercedes Campas, Imelda De La Ossa, Esmeralda Chavez, Ana Fernandez, Mia Montano, Dolores Arvizu, Ana Greer and David Valdez.
The board also approved the trip for Brita Groves and three high school students to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana Oct. 23-28.
The next school board meeting is Aug. 7.
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