By Jennifer Jimenez
Twitter: @SCW_Independent

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

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.

Reach reporter at jjimenez@iniusa.org.

Jennifer Jimenez
Reporter | Sun City West
@SCW_Independent

jjimenez@iniusa.org

Meet Jennifer

In 2020, Jennifer Jimenez began working for Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA. She began her career as a sports reporter in Peoria and Glendale, covering the very same schools she used to compete at.  During this time, she also worked for television news, magazines and sports radio stations.

Community: Jennifer is a member of the Hall of Fame at Peoria High School where she graduated in 2001, alongside her father Joe Hernandez. She serves youth soccer players as a pro-trainer and coach.  

Education: Grand Canyon University 2005 B.A. Liberal Arts

Ranom Fact: She has a street named after her in south Peoria “Jennifer Rose Court.”

Hobbies: Country dancing, coaching soccer, teaching private swim lessons and running are things she does for fun.