Melissa Gutierrez

The document outlines the Safford Unified School District's performance-based compensation plan, in accordance with S.B. 1074, A.R.S. 15-920.01, and A.R.S. 15-977. It details the criteria for teacher compensation increases based on performance and base salary increases. The plan includes components such as teacher walk-through observations, professional development, attendance incentives, online grading systems, student surveys, professional duties and responsibilities, and parent contact logs. The document also addresses teacher eligibility, termination of contract stipulations, classroom site fund allocations, and an appeals process for teachers who are denied performance-based compensation.

The meeting included a school showcase by Safford Middle School's Robotics Club, highlighting their trip to NASA. Mr. Gutierrez presented the monthly expenditure report for August, and Mr. Taylor reported on K-12 enrollment, updates on the SHS track repairs, and the new employment application program. The board approved several consent agenda items, including vouchers, expenditures, fundraisers, policy adoptions, budget revisions, and facility use agreements. The board also approved a retention stipend for long-term substitutes, the contract renewal for plumbing services, and the donation of surplus items to the Safford High School Scholarship Foundation. Additionally, the board approved/ratified several personnel actions.

The agenda includes a review of the 2025-2026 budget revision #1. The regular meeting agenda includes a school showcase featuring Safford Middle School, comments from visitors, and written reports from various personnel covering curriculum, special education, Title I, technology, maintenance, transportation, and principals. Additionally, there are oral reports on the financial status and a superintendent's update. The consent agenda covers approval of minutes, vouchers, financial summaries, fundraising, policy adoption, SMS Boys and Girls Soccer Clubs, budget revision, contracted services contracts, and a facility use agreement. The agenda also includes a policy review, long-term substitute retention stipend, district general plumbing services and supplies, donation of surplus items, personnel actions, and scheduling a work session.

The Safford Unified School District No. 1 held a budget meeting and a regular meeting. The public hearing on the 2025-2026 proposed budget was conducted with no changes made since June. The Superintendent reported on SMS bleachers being torn down and cleaned up, and the upcoming district-wide all-staff breakfast and meetings. The board approved a consent agenda including vouchers, expenditures, financial summaries, policy adoptions, resolution for signing vouchers, activities account treasurers, student fund account treasurers, staff handbooks, eligible tax credit entities, cooperative purchasing sites and vendors, SPED classified self-contained stipend, and the 2025-2026 budget. Approvals were also granted for out-of-state student travel for the SMS Robotics Club, designation of a delegate and alternate board member for the ASBA Delegate Assembly, creation of the DSS Yearbook Club and Tax Credit Entity, initial 301 payout plan for CSF allocations, renewal of supplemental floor and bathroom cleaning services, contracted services for Title I, personnel actions, employment of winter coaching staff, and a decision not to recoup liquidated damages from a teacher.

The meeting covered various topics including a school showcase by Safford High School students, reports on construction projects (new DSS playground, RPS mold remediation), monthly expenditures, and cafeteria audits. The superintendent's report included student enrollment numbers, IT updates, AI staff training, and plans for additional teacher training. Consent agenda items included approval of minutes from previous meetings, vouchers, expenditures, financial summaries, fundraising approvals, and a gift and donation. The meeting also addressed budget revisions, the 2025-2026 school calendar, policy adoptions and reviews, purchases over \$100,000 (Dorothy Stinson Landscape project), district construction labor services, an AZELLA tester contract, a plan to hire night crews for classroom cleaning, and personnel actions (including employment, transfers, resignations, and terminations). Finally, substitute teacher pay was increased, and a work session was not scheduled for December.