School Board approves 4.3-percent COLA, approves research project

Members of the San Juan School Board approved a cost of living adjustment for district staff, approved a funded research project by the CDC and discussed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year at their latest meeting.
At the May 12 meeting members of the school board approved a 4.3-percent cost of living adjustment for all staff members. Staff noted that the increase was made possible by the board’s decision to reallocate impact aid funds into the general fund to remain competitive with inflationary rates.
In addition to a base salary increase the board also approved a behaviour support stipend of up to $2,000 for employees working with students with significant behavioral needs.
District Superintendent Christine Fitzgerald explained the stipends are meant for staff dealing with severe behaviors to provide additional support for staff in high-stress positions.
The district is also creating new safety-focused positions including a lead security advisor. The advisor position will require prior law enforcement experience and would be focused on school safety.
Members of the board also discussed their own pay noting that pay has not been adjusted for a “long time”. The board requested the business office research compensation rates in similar districts to consider a possible increase in the final June budget.
Members of the board also approved auditing services for the next five years and adopted multi-lingual strategic planning materials featuring Ute and Navajo translations at the meeting.
Members of the board also approved a “What Works in Schools” research partnership. The research is funded through a five year grant from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Presenting the item Dr. Colleen Murray noted the grant is the only one of its kind focused specifically on both rural and Native American student populations.
The project will evaluate and showcase the district’s existing wellness initiatives such as Peacemaking and Unity Clubs to create a blueprint for other districts serving Indigenous students. The district will receive $100,000 annually over five years to support continued implementation of health and wellness programs and will include professional development training and evaluation of findings of the programs.
In approving the agreement members of the board emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity and ensuring the project draws from the district's heritage language teachers and tribal evaluation specialists.
In order to reduce disruption to instructional time, researchers proposed using admin data and conducting voluntary student focus groups outside of school hours.
Members of the San Juan School Board also received a preliminary presentation on the budget for fiscal year 2027. Business Administrator Jacob Swanson shared the average daily membership in the district is down 26 students to 2,714 matching a downward trend statewide.
While Monticello schools saw a slight increase, Bluff, La Sal and San Juan High experienced more significant drops.
Swanson also reported on the district's unassigned general fund balance which exceeds the state-recommended 25-percent. Swanson noted the district maintains a higher balance of 30 to 35-percent as an important buffer noting the district's heavy reliance on federal impact aid. To manage excess in the past the board has approved one-time payouts to employees including in late 2025. The district may consider one-time expenditures again or additional funds to capital projects in coming years.
Swanson also provided updates on the capital projects in the district with the new Blanding Elementary School nearing substantial completion date and a ruling from the fire marshall to make the building fit for occupancy.
A ribbon cutting ceremony and community open house was tentatively scheduled for July 28.
The secure entrance projects were also reported as progressing well at San Juan High Albert R Lyman Middle and Monticello High Schools.
Superintendent Fitzgerald also highlighted a new online platform YouScience that will be implemented in seventh grade and help students discover natural aptitudes and corresponding careers as data shows 71-percent of district students say they’d be more engaged in learning if they understood how their strengths relate to future careers.
Members of the board also heard reports from principals at secondary schools in Blanding.
Albert R Lyman Middle School Principal Ryan Palmer shared school celebrations including schoolwide involvement with over 70-percent of students involved in extracurriculars, and growth in proficiency levels across multiple demographics throughout the year. Palmer did note a concerning data point that 70-percent of students enter the school below grade reading level. To address this the school has emphasized use of reading strategies across all subjects in the school.
San Juan High principal Ryan Nielson also highlighted increased student engagement through involvement in sports and clubs and also reported success in the implementation of cell phone policies and increases in average ACT scores with Nielson attributing reading increases to a years-long focus on reading in every classroom. Nielson did identity reading as a continued challenge for the school to address along with a focus on school safety and security.
Members of the board also recognized Innovations in STEM Awards sponsored by Texas Instruments. The award recognizes excellence in science and math instruction with Jamie Carling at San Juan High and Christina Boone at Montezuma Creek Elementary announced as the award winners. Award finalists were also recognized including Baylee Spence, Julie Bunker and Sharmita Benally.