School tax credits in the spotlight Tuesday

As the deadline approaches for this year’s donations, the Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board will get a double presentation on tax credits.

Business Services Director Aron Rausch will provide the donations/expenditures data.  Joyce Hollis, a board member on the Maricopa Education Foundation, will present a strategy for 2015.

The district’s governing board meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the district office, 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

By law, Arizonans who donate to schools’ extracurricular programs during the year receive a credit on their tax bill for that amount. For district schools, residents can give individually up to $200, and a couple filing jointly can give up to $400.

According to Rausch’s information, the tax credit money given to MUSD has gone to after-school tutoring, intramurals, field trips, costumes for dance and drama, athletic equipment and uniforms, band expenses and more.

During the last fiscal year (July 2013-June 2014), tax credit revenues totaled $69,751. That is a jump of more than $8,000 over the previous year. But the potential for the tax credit is far greater, which is where MEF comes in.

MEF’s strategy for better educating the public on the benefits of the tax credit is called “Everybody Wins.” The campaign starts in March and includes providing more publicity and “expert CPA testimony.” The Foundation also wants to simplify the tools for donating to the schools.

Paypal will soon be an option.

Click here to learn more about the Arizona tax credit program.

Also on the agenda:
• Director of Teaching and Learning Krista Roden will present information on the new state test, which is called Arizona’s Measurement of Educational Readiness to Inform Teaching (AzMERIT).
• Maricopa High School Principal June Celaya will provide an update on math/language arts.
• Rausch will give the board information about selling excess property. He will also review the October Financial Report.
• Superintendent Steve Chestnut will report on the budget process. The board will vote on its first revision of the 2014-15 budget.
• Personnel issues include the acceptance of the resignation of Desert Wind Middle School teacher Wade Johnson; the approval of the employment of Carter Plante as a tech, Rebecca Holub as a 21st Century instructor, Benjamin Rivera as lead Food Service custodian and Carmen Romero as a receptionist, plus the hiring of 10 substitute teachers; and the reclassification of four employees.