Safford Schools increases salaries, adds bus drivers

By Aimee Staten, Managing Editor
Published on Monday, April 30, 2007 11:17 AM MST

After more than five hours of deliberation in executive session last week, the Safford School Board emerged with numbers and staffing in answer to the district’s Meet and Confer Committee’s re-quests. The district also contracted with a new food service company.

Safford certified staff originally asked for teachers’ base salaries to increase from $26,500 a year to $28,500. They received a base pay raise to $28,019, the 3.2-percent increase for each cell of the salary schedule given by legisla-tive action in 2006 and an increase for each cell of $1,600.

The teachers will also be able to receive any additional compensation provided by the state Legislature.

Thatcher received $28,500 plus a $500 bonus if contracts are signed within seven days of issuance.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Tregaskes cautioned the teachers about making comparisons with nearby districts because the increases did not contain the same components.

If the 301 and 101 money had been included, the base would have been more than $30,000.

“You have to ask yourself — do they include Prop. 101 monies?” he told the audience of educators.

Tregaskes said the district struggles with its transportation more than any other issue in the district because of its difficulty in finding and retaining new bus drivers.

The board approved increasing bus driving positions to a total of nine full-time positions with medical insurance. Classified staff was also given the 3.2 percent increase approved by the Legislature in addition to a 5-percent increase in compensation.

Salaries schedules, benefits approved

  • All certified staff — Base increased to $28,019; all cells in certified salary schedule to include 3.2-percent increase approved by Legislature in 2006; each cell to increase by $1,600. Allow vertical and horizontal movement on salary schedule. Include wording in contracts that would allow additional increases if approved by Legislature.

  • Certified with approved doctorate degree by Oct. 1 — 3.5 percent of BA step 1.

  • Classified staff — 3.2-percent increase granted by Legislature in 2006 plus a 5-percent increase in compensation.

  • Provide funding to increase to nine full-time bus drivers with medical insurance.

  • Medical insurance — Continue to provide medical coverage for all full-time classified and certified staff.

    New food service contract

    Three young food ambassadors approached the board with complaints about food shortages and empty stomachs.

    Weston Wilbanks, Seth Lowery and Dylan Driver stood in a row in front of the board with bowed heads and little pieces of paper in their hands.

    “We want more food, and we want it warm when we get it,” Wilbanks said.

    Lowery appealed to the board members’ stomachs when he asked if they had ever had to eat a tostada with only beans on top because all of the other toppings were gone.

    “On March 29, I ate my spaghetti in three bites,” he said, adding that what he can get at the salad bar does not fill his stomach.

    Driver told the board more food would help him and his friends learn. “Right now, we have to go back to class hungry,” he said.

    The district recently accepted bids for the food service management, and Roger Studley, director of support operations, said his staff and volunteers had narrowed the possibilities to Sodexho and Chartwells. Chartwells was the food company the district used for the 2006-07 school year.

    Sodexho was chosen by the staff and approved by the governing board.

    After affirming that Sodexho would interview Chartwells’ present employees at a job fair and supply food and services for the summer food program, food services manager John Walker said his company would do its best to earn students’ trust and confidence every day with food.

    “Hopefully, we never have to face that triumvirate,” he said, laughing.

    Tregaskes thanked the Chartwells Company and employees for the work they did to improve the district’s menu and diet last year. “Chartwells got us off to a nice change,” he said.

    In other matters, the board:

  • Approved re-employment of personnel and supplemental assignment contracts for the 2007-08 school year. The board also accepted the recommendations of administration for transfers, resignations and terminations. Of note was the resignation of Safford High Varsity head football coach Mike Dorrell and assistant football coach Clay Cocke (see story by Sports Editor Brian Wright in this issue).

  • Voted to renew the health insurance premium with a 3-percent increase in premiums. The board also held first readings on several policy changes involving extracurricular activity ele-gibility, personnel records and files, graduation re-quirements, unsafe school choice and school records.

  • Approved staffing requests by schools for the new school year. Some of those requests were for a nurse for Mt. Graham High School and an aide for in-house suspension at the Safford Middle School. The latter was tabled at Tregaskes’ request.
  • Comments

    4 comment(s)

      Mary wrote on Aug 22, 2009 12:27 PM:

      " I am a decendant of Apache blood, or so I was told as a child. I have lost all contact with my relatives and am now trying to build a family tree so that I can at least trace my ROOTS and not just talk about them. I would like more information on the Apache their language and customs. I would also like to learn to speak the language and help to keep it alive.Any information would be much appreciated. "

      esme wrote on Jun 20, 2009 1:29 PM:

      " im a 15 year old who lives in the city and i think yhat the culture will die if we don't try to preserve it and teach to the younger children because they are the future. ihave asked many people to try and help me learn to speak the language . ihope that someone would step in and help the culturelive on!!!!!!!!!! "

      Your mum wrote on May 11, 2009 4:04 PM:

      " Your mum "

      mary wrote on Nov 20, 2007 2:08 AM:

      " ple contact my email mary.koffi20@yahoo.com "

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