School board to discuss budget, culinary arts

The Maricopa Unified School District governing board meets 6 p.m. Wednesday and will discuss among other items recommendations by the budget committee, the possible additions of cargo shorts to the elementary school dress code and the math improvement plan at Butterfield Elementary School.

There also will be a presentation on the Maricopa High School culinary arts program and an update on the district’s kindergarten program.

The budget committee, working with a projected $1 million projected shortfall for the next school year, has recommended, among other things:

• Certified 1 step salary increase totaling $225,000.
• Classified 2 percent salary increase totaling $200,000.
• Additional 2nd Certified 1/2 step increase for $81,371.
   

To cover the $1 million deficit and proposed additions, the committee has recommended eliminating free all-day kindergarten, which the board already has done; close a middle school, which will not be done; cut $62,000 in special education teacher stipends; cut seven staff position through attrition; cut general education teacher stipends by one third; and lengthen the day at Maricopa High School by one period.

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.” 

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

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