In a unanimous vote, the
Governing Board approved an employee pay packaged that was recommended by the
Interest Based Budget Development Committee (IBBD) that includes increased
performance pay for teachers, the first half of which will be included in this Thursday’s (July 2) paycheck.
The recommendations include:
- a one-time $500 stipend for a full time (1.0 FTE) returning Employee. If the employee is less than a 1.0 FTE (full-time employee), the stipend will be allocated proportionately;
- increase Performance Pay for eligible teachers from $1,500 to $1,800 for fiscal year 2015. The first half of performance pay will be included in this Thursday’s (July 2) paycheck;
- increase Performance Pay for eligible teachers from $1,500 to $1,800 in fiscal year 2016;
- increase Performance Pay for eligible teachers from $1,800 to $2,000 in fiscal year 2017;
- an $8,000 stipend for speech therapists to be included into the base salary. This allows GESD to be more competitive in its recruitment of speech therapist and reduce the cost of contracted services; and
- the recommendation for changes made to the bereavement policy which was previously approved by the Governing Board in May (see details below).
This
is also an option should the State of Arizona come to an agreement to settle the
suit to fund schools. Specifically, should the lawsuit (as an example) result
in $27.16 more per student (or $37.2 million statewide) this would generate
approximately $530,323 for GESD. This amount represents approximately a one
percent increase to base salaries. Also:
- If the amount is less, the adjustment would be proportionate.
- If the per pupil amount is more, GESD should replenish the Budget Balance Carry Forward (BBCF) and get it back to four percent. Anything above the four percent amount could be added to base salaries. Keeping a four percent BBCF is one of many factors that improves or keeps a school district’s bond rating from being downgraded. Also, the Auditor General’s Office uses this figure to determine a school district’s financial stress level. If GESD’s bond rating decreases, it will result in local taxpayers paying higher taxes.
- If the money become available and addendum will be added to employee contracts.
Between
the one-time stipend and performance pay, GESD employees will see compensation
increases between two and three percent for the 2015-16 school year.
As
approved by the board, the changes in the bereavement policy allow eligible
employees to receive up to three working days for an in-state death, and five
working days for an out-of-state death. Bereavement cannot exceed more than
five days in the fiscal year (one day of bereavement leave is equivalent to an
employee’s regularly scheduled hours). Approved bereavement days are not deducted
from earned leave.
For
the purposes of bereavement leave, family is defined as: spouse, children,
parents, siblings, fiancée, domestic partner, grandparents, grandchildren. In
addition, like relations created by marriage — step-child, father-in-law, for
example — also are defined as family.
Any
extension of bereavement leave will be deducted from an employee’s earned
leave. Within five days of returning to work, employees must submit written
proof of the family member’s death to the immediate supervisor. Written proof
includes: obituary/Prayer Card/Funeral Program, death certificate of a signed
statement from a doctor or hospice facility.
