Board approves 2015-16 pay package

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.