Continuing regular payroll expenses for all its employees --- and approving the closure of schools in the Apache Junction Unified School District as mandated by the governor and state superintendent of education --- are to be discussed by the Governing Board March 17.

The board meets at noon Tuesday in the board room at 1575 W. Southern Ave. Members of the Governing board will attend in person or by telephone, video or Internet conference, according to the agenda.

[Related link: "All Arizona schools closed to address recent outbreak of COVID-19, staffing shortages, governor says"]

The Governing Board intends to close all schools until March 27 or longer if mandated by the state, at which time the board will reassess the potential outbreak of COVID-9 and any public safety concerns, according to a resolution to be discussed and voted on at the meeting.

The resolution also states, "The superintendent is authorized to continue regular payroll expenses for all employees. Non-essential employees will be reassigned to home. Essential employees will be required to work as needed. Hourly employees who are deemed essential and required to work will be paid at time and a half. All employees shall remain on call and available to report to work" and "The superintendent is authorized to extend the dates of school closure if necessary," it states.

"(T)he Governing Board finds that it is in the best interest of the district and serves a public purpose to continue to pay its employees for the time period of the school closure in order to maintain order in the community, reduce employee turnover, allow employees to care for the needs of their families, meet its contractual obligations and increase morale for district employees during a time of national crisis," the proposed resolution states.