School Board approves one-time payment to teachers and staff from general fund balance

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the San Juan School Board approved one-time payments to employees, heard a positive review on the general fund balance and adopted policies related to clubs at their latest meeting.
Members of the San Juan School Board approved one time pay outs to employees after reviewing a healthy general fund balance at their October 14 meeting. 
Business Administrator Jacob Swanson presented a general fund review at the meeting. Noting that the current unassigned fund balance stands at $22.4 million. While the state recommends a 25-percent balance of unassigned funds to be carried over, Swanson explained that more saved, a target of 30 to 35-percent for the district may be a better goal. Swanson cited two reasons to have additional funds unassigned noting that the district relies on federal impact aid, pointing out that the four to six million dollars received every year have to be approved by Congress and the program could be decreased or even possibly defunded.
Swanson also noted another reason for higher unassigned funds including the long-time goal of the district board to avoid debt. Swanson noted in addition to being good practice avoiding debit is also important as the district is not well suited to bonding measures.
Even with the higher percentage of unassigned funds district staff also recommends a one time payout to employees. With Swanson sharing that approximated to $1.1 million paid out during the November paycheck.
“If the board approves these one-time payments today, our unassigned fund balance would be about 38% of fiscal year 25’s total general fund expenditure.”
The approved payouts included a one-time payment of approximately $38,000 to classified and clear classified employees who were otherwise ineligible for the state’s Education Support Professional Stipend (ESPS) grant. A broader one-time payout was approved for all employees, calculated as the greater of 2.5% of their salary or $750. Although a cap was also placed for the highest paid school principals, meaning higher salaried district staff including superintendents and the business administrator did not exceed the highest paid administrators in the one-time payment.
Swanson also added the board and staff consider other options for unassigned funds.
“I know the state recommends that we don’t hold on to money unnecessarily. So there might be some room, whether that goes to the capital fund or to certain projects, or whatever else it may be.”
District Superintendent Christine Fitzgerald gave additional context on the payments noting they started when the district was receiving additional funds through the CARES act. While those funds were not received last year or this year interest received on funds and other payments have allowed the district to offer the payments the past two years. Fitzgerald added the district recognizes the funds may not always be around but they are happy to recognize employee efforts while they can.
“Because this money is here one time, we can pay it out. So, it’s not ever a guarantee for our employees that they’ll get this again next year. But because of where we are, you know, based upon these numbers, we could make this happen this time.”
Members of the board unanimously approved the one-time payment to district employees.
Members of the San Juan School Board also approved a few policies at their latest meeting.
One adopted policy is regarding a public education hotline as required by the state. The policy establishes a process for how the district responds to hotline complaints. Giving citizens avenues to  report alleged violations of statute, misuse of public resources or unethical behaviors. The policy also contains whistleblower protections should employees file a complaint. In addition to approving the policy members of the board also received mandatory training on the hotline which is managed by the Utah State Board of Education
Members of the board also reviewed and adopted a policy related to curricular and non-curricular student groups. The policy largely taken from the state model policy standardizing club review processes across schools.
The policy distinguishes between curricular clubs which are school-sponsored and eligible for financial support and non-curricular clubs which are student-initiated and ineligible for public funds. The policy also retains the board’s authority over funding decisions, even if a club is approved at a school level.
The board also approved a policy for financial administrative protocols. The update included a new section requiring oversight for contracts exceeding 12 months or totaling over $100,000 in a fiscal year with approval mandated by both the superintendent and business administrator or the board.
Members of the board also approved spend plans to provide Medical Anatomy and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) programs at district high schools.
Members of the board also received capital project updates including that construction at the Blanding Elementary School continues to be ahead of schedule with the building fully closed and interior work being done. The board also heard report that the safe entrance upgrades at Montezuma Creek Elementary and San Juan High are also progressing.
Members of the board also received a report from La Sal Elementary Principal Amanda Page.
The school serves only nine students preK through second grade. Page reported on a 94-percent attendance rate and noted the success of the PreK program which was installed to address low scores among incoming Kindergartners. Page also reported on challenges for the small remote school including providing access to specialized outside resources such as school counseling and social workers.
Members of the board also received a presentation from Jeff Winget, the District director of the new Teaching, Learning and Assessment Department. Winget provided an update on elementary math curriculum adoption process with a curriculum adoption committee made up of teachers, administrators, parents and board members to provide recommendations for adoption in February or March.
Recognition to employees via the San Juan Sweet Job awards were given to Wanda Ketchum of Bluff Elementary and Valena Cody at San Juan High School.