MUSD board to consider new staff positions, vacation policy change

Editor's Note: Because of reporting errors, the following story has been updated. 

The local school board will consider Wednesday adding two special education paraprofessional positions at Santa Cruz Elementary School.

Tom Beckett, the director of human resources for the Maricopa Unified School District, said the positions are being considered because of an additional caseload of students.

Adding the positions will have a $50,000 impact on the district’s operational budget. That number includes salaries and benefits.

The board also will consider revisions to the district’s vacation policy. Year-round administrative staff who hold educator certification – a group that includes principals, assistant principals and others – could receive four extra vacation days each year, up from the current 20 days. Those individuals would be able to carry six days of unused vacation over to the next year. The policy already sets an annual limit of accrued vacation at 30 days.

The district sees the proposed changes as a “retention tool” for certificated administrators, Beckett said. The school district has lost such personnel in recent years.  

Other year-round administrative staff would have 20 vacation days with a maximum carryover of 10 days each year. The same annual 30-day limit for accrued vacation applies.

Board members also will discuss a new work plan for the board and superintendent. Superintendent Steve Chestnut submitted a draft of the plan, which includes goals to increase the letter grade assessment of nine schools, maintain the “A” grade of one school, and improve the district’s grade by one letter.

Other items up for discussion include new provisions in operating protocol between the district and the school board and changes in the district’s strategic plan.

***ADVERTISEMENT***The meeting is at 6 p.m. at the District Office Administrative Building at 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

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