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A continuation of the 2020-21 Maintenance & Override was approved by Dysart Unified School District voters in 2020.
Ken Hicks, district assistant superintendent for business services, made a presentation of the allocation of the funds as part of a statutory requirement at a recent meeting.
The override failed in 2014 and then passed in 2015 and again in 2020 as a continuation. With the recent challenges in the transportation department, various community members inquired about the the extra money from the override and where the money is being spent.
The continuation of the funds was approved to restore funding to support retaining highly qualified teachers, keeping class sizes manageable, for math and reading classroom resources and programs including music, art, athletics and full-day kindergarten.
Use of override funds 2020-21
• $2.34 million retaining qualified teachers
• $9.22 class size reduction
• $7.98 million reading and math, music, art and athletics
• $2.14 million return to full-day kindergarten
Total = $21.68 million
Governing board member Chrystal Chaffin questioned what ‘manageable class sizes’ means. Quinn Kellis, Dysart Unified superintendent explained when the override initially passed years ago these descriptions were put on there and the same categories have carried forward through the memorandum with the teachers association.
“So every time we renew we are maintaining the same class sizes on average that student-to-teacher ratio that is in the agreement and we haven’t asked for more than the 15% (from taxpayers). he said.
If the override continuation failed, 136 less teachers would be employed, class sizes would increase and teachers would take a 3% pay cut. Chaffin suggested with the extra money the district has, perhaps another discussion could take place on finding money to reduce class sizes.
I am passionate about sports and community writing and shining the light on positivity, while delivering the facts. I have been with the Independent team for five months, but in the game for 15 years. I am a proud Grand Canyon University alumni. Born and raised in Peoria, I also am blessed to have a street named after me called Jennifer Rose Court.