District One Glance
It was a full house in Yuma School District One’s board room Tuesday night as the monthly meeting recognized district faculty and programs in addition to its customary agenda topics.
Student artwork on display
One of the board room walls was embellished by artwork created by students at James B. Rolle, Dorothy Hall and C.W. McGraw Elementary Schools.
The collage featured illustrative self-portraits from Cheri Williams’ second through fifth grade students and scenes inspired by Hokusai’s “The Great Wave” and Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” from Blanca Espinoza’s second and third graders.
High Fives to district staff
Five of District One’s Fantastic, Incredible, Valuable Employees (FIVE) were honored for their demonstration of professionalism, positive attitude, initiative and district pride.
Palmcroft custodian Eduardo Sandoval, bus driver Kimberly Flores and teachers Ana Ortega from Fourth Avenue Junior High, Beatrice Martinez from Carver Elementary and Yanley Barrios from Pecan Grove received this month’s High Five award for their positive impact on District One.
District adopts School Bus Safety and School Lunch Weeks
The governing board approved the district’s proclamation of Oct. 14-18 as National School Lunch Week and Oct. 21-25 as National School Bus Safety Week.
According to Child Nutrition Director Lisa Thrower’s report, the 2019 theme “What’s on Your Playlist?” spotlights how cafeterias are serving healthy meal items that students want to eat “with increased choice and customization” that fuels them for success.
According to Director of Transportation Ron Scheper’s report, National School Bus Safety Week is celebrated in over 40 states as an effort “to enhance the safety of our nation’s children” and remind them of the best ways to board and exit their bus.
New lab and classrooms coming soon
Plans are drawn to build a new culinary lab and vocational education classrooms at Ron Watson Middle School.
According to Valenzuela, district administration entered a negation with Pilkington Construction to establish a contract for pre-construction services.
Salary increases
According to Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Valenzuela’s financial report, District One certified staff received 10, 10.5 and 11 percent salary increases for the 2018-19 Fiscal Year.
Other staff received a 5, 5.5 and 6 percent increase. This group includes district administrators, principals, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists and supervisors. Support staff received a $1 increase.
The district absorbed the fiscal year’s insurance increase for all employees.