Public hearing on MUSD budget Wednesday

The Maricopa Unified School District governing board will meet Wednesday to hold a public hearing on the district’s proposed $31.6 million budget for the 2012-2013 school year and set the previously-approved 2 percent base-pay raises for teachers into action.

The 6 p.m. meeting marks the first for the district’s new Superintendent Steve Chestnut. He will be available to meet informally with the public at 5 p.m.

The board will hear reports on the district’s dress-code policy to unify elementary and secondary expectations, and federal nutritional mandates for students.

Lunch prices are expected to be increased by 25 cents for full-pay students in all grades.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 is the most comprehensive change to school nutrition in 15 years. The law dictates that school nutritional programs reflect the most current dietary science.

Key changes to the meals for children grades kindergarten and above, according to district documents, include: daily servings of fruit, vegetables and meat/meat alternate; weekly serving dark green, red/orange, beans/pea (legumes), starchy, and “other” vegetables; fat-free (unflavored or flavored) and unflavored low-fat milk only; salt reduction; and limits on trans fat.

In the first year of implementation, at least half of the grains offered during the school week must be whole-grain rich.

***ADVERTISEMENT***The new lunch meal pattern became effective July 1, but with the exception of the new milk requirement, changes to the breakfast program will be phased in beginning July 1, next year.

The board will get an update and proposed timeline for changing the fee structure for renting various district spaces. Members also will discuss the ins and outs of placing an override on the November electoral ballot.

The board is expected to approve an addendum to 2012-2013 teacher contracts allowing those who have already signed contracts to get the 2 percent raise.

For more information on these agenda items and others click here to get to “current meeting,” then click on “print agenda” and then go to “detailed agenda.”

The board meets 6 p.m. in the District Office Administration Building, 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.