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Higley USD reallocates federal COVID-19 funding
Posted
Tom Blodgett
Higley USD officials presented a revised spending plan for some federal COVID-19 relief funding to the governing board June 22.
The district still plans to spend money from the third round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding, commonly called ESSER III, in much the same way but with different amounts, according to the presentation from Chief Financial Officer Tyler Moore.
The money breaks down as:
$1.65 million for learning loss initiatives, down from $2.33 million for items such as free summer school and additional counselors;
$3.94 million for supporting and retaining staff, up from $3.04 million for items such as retention stipends and professional development;
$1.51 million for school facility repairs, as before; and
$994,000 for technology to support instruction, as before.
Budget
The board held the final public hearing for its fiscal year 2022-23 budgets. The board unanimously passed a maintenance and operations budget of $116.92 million, up $7.4 million from the latest revised budget for FY 2021-22.
The unrestricted capital budget will be $26.64 million.
The average teacher is expected to be $65,717.
Attorney to review teacher arrest
At the meeting's outset, board President Amy Kaylor read a statement pertaining to the arrest of a former Higley High School teacher on charges connected with his involvement with two district students. The statement indicated the district reported it to Gilbert police, which launched an investigation resulting in the arrest.
However, the statement also indicated the district has hired an outside attorney to look into allegations that district employees had previously been notified about the teacher's involvement. It also invited people with concerns to contact the district through its hotline at 480-279-7233 or safe.hotline@husd.org.
Other items
The board unanimously approved a $1.87 million guaranteed maximum price for the first part of construction on a Higley High School classroom building addition.
The board unanimously approved a policy change on expulsions for students in kindergarten through fourth grade based on a state law change but postponed consideration on a policy regarding instruction and training in suicide prevention.
The board unanimously approved the district’s strategic initiatives as presented in the previous school board meeting.
Professional Development Assistant Director Kris Treat reviewed for the board the district’s plan for professional development in the coming year.
