News from Sheridan School District No. 2
Contact: Mark Stevens
[email protected]
303-495-8699 (mobile) • 720-328-5488 (office)
News Release
June 28, 2017
2017-2018 School Year Budget Approved
The Sheridan Board of Education Tuesday approved the 2017-2018 school year budget, which provides an average 6 percent increase in salaries for teachers and classified staff, plus a 4 percent increase in health insurance and 1 percent increase in the district’s contribution to PERA, the state retirement system. Administrators will receive an average 3 percent increase in salaries plus the increase in benefits as well.
“It is nice to feel generous for the first time in ten years,” said Superintendent Michael Clough. He noted that Sheridan’s average teacher pay remains far below districts such as neighboring Littleton Public Schools.
Superintendent Clough thanked the Sheridan Educators Association, SEA president Peter Morris and the district’s Collaboration team for productive talks regarding compensation.
The budget resolution approved by the board officially adopted a total budget not to exceed $33.5 million. The main $18.1 million general fund is scheduled to receive $10,067 per funded pupil.
The budget calls for spending $5,164 per student on instructional expenses, including teacher and paraprofessional salaries and benefits; textbooks; and supplies for classrooms. The budget plans spending of $4,617 per student on support service expenditures including transportation to school, field trips and sporting events; principal and assistant principal salaries and benefits; and central office costs.
Chromebooks
To date, 53 Chromebooks have been delivered to students thanks to the May 21 fundraiser organized by Vibha. Superintendent Clough thanked the district’s technology team and other volunteers for their assistance in preparing the equipment, which is being given to students at Fort Logan Northgate School, including incoming third grade students, to help students maintain their reading skills over the summer break.
Board Retreat
The board will hold one regular meeting in July—Tuesday, July 11—and will hold its annual retreat on July 24 and July 25. Superintendent Clough said that among the topics the board should begin discussing is the plan for hiring a new superintendent as his contract expires in June 2018. “It’s crucial for the organization to be very thoughtful about that process,” he said.
Staples Donation—Backpacks For All Students
All students in Sheridan will be given a free backpack and school supplies thanks to generous donation from the employees of Staples. The employees donated time to organize the effort and fill all 1,100 backpacks with markers, pens, pencils, notebooks, erasers, crayons, and more. Deputy Superintendent Jackie Webb told the board that Sheridan was among the districts selected for the donation thanks to former teacher Dee Siqueiros, who now works for Junior Achievement and nominated Sheridan to participate in the Backpack-A-Thon.
Teacher Turnover
Superintendent Clough shared teacher turnover data and urged the board to continue to look at the data with an eye toward improving year-to-year stability. This year, seven teachers resigned from Alice Terry Elementary School, 17 from Fort Logan Northgate School, 13 from Sheridan High School, and one from SOAR Academy. The numbers include both classroom teachers and special service providers such as nurses, counselors, speech-language pathologists, and social workers.
SEA president Peter Morris told the board that SOAR Academy will receive a $150 gift certificate for its efforts to reduce turnover. The “competition” among schools will continue next school year, he said.
Board member Karla Najera said she regretted to see so many teachers with “work ethic, passion and experience” leaving Sheridan. “I hope we did everything in our power to keep them in our district,” she added.
Consent Agenda
All consent agenda items were approved.
About Sheridan School District 2
Located southwest of Denver, Sheridan School District 2 seeks high-level post-secondary options for all students through continuous improvement of quality instruction. More: www.ssd2.org
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