Declining enrollment was discussed during a preliminary budget presentation at the Yuma School District-1 Board of Education regular meeting, Monday night at the District Office.
All five board members were in attendance, President Tyson Brown, John Deering, Ronella Noble, Jeff Ovalle and Heath Roundtree.
Superintendent Jim Fraley reported the state funding legislation is not completed yet, but is close. The budget will come before the board for approval at its June 22 meeting.
He highlighted that enrollment was 844 in 2021, but is now down to 747. Also, the state is going from a four-year average to three years for per pupil funding counts. Fraley said the bottom line is Yuma-1 is looking at a decrease of 29 students.
The good news is the state is increasing its per pupil funding figure, and the cost of living adjustment is going to be 2.4 percent instead of 2.3.
An increase in teachers salaries, including compensation for education and previous experience when entering the district, is going to cost an extra $250,000 in the 2026-27 fiscal year. Health insurance premiums are going to cost an extra $50,000.
However, when all is said and done, the district will see a net increase in funding of $83,000. The district will be going into reserves $113,000, but the General Fund’s Beginning Fund Balance still will be above $11 million.
Board members continue to be concerned about the declining enrollment. Roundtree asked Fraley if could research how many school-aged youth live in the district to compare with how many are enrolled in Yuma-1 schools. Fraley said he would work on having that report for the June meeting.
The board approved a new framework for paraeducators. Fraley said paras are the highest turnover in the district, adding it is a difficult job and low paying. He proposed adding five days to paraeducators’ contracts for professional development and training. He also proposed a tier pay scale. It would start with paying at least minimum wage, plus $1 per hour for additional training, going all the way up to $6 plus minimum wage per hour.
Board members said they liked the idea, and Brown added there should be just as much concern with high turnovers among paras as there would be with certified teachers. The board approved the framework on a 5-0 vote.
Transportation Supervisor Jeanne Yenter made a request for fleet improvements. She said the district’s fleet is old, and many vehicles have “aged out.”
“We are really in need of updating our fleet, real badly,” she said.
Yenter said she would have a spreadsheet outlining the district’s full transportation fleet for a five-year plan.
For now, she requested replacing three smaller vehicles. The first to go is the Ag pickup, which is way dated. She has a bid for a Ford F-250 XL Super Duty that would come through Korf in Brush. The request also was to replace the Dart and Malibu used for staff trips and a student transport.
The board unanimously approved the motion to purchase three new vehicles not to exceed $135,000. There also was discussion about selling the outgoing ones by sealed bids. Yenter said the district could probably get about $16,000 for the three based on Kelly Blue Book values.
The second reading of the policy updating professional staff salaries to take into account continuing education, as well as incoming teachers getting full credit for all years of previous experience, was approved 5-0. The classified staff notice of assignments was approved, as well as the board meeting dates for 2026-27. The board will have a retreat on June 19.
Amanda Neb and her bosses from Chartwells were in attendance to discuss the breakfast and lunch program. Chartwells assumed that role for the current school year.
Neb’s presentation showed that overall participation in breakfast and lunch has increased, particularly at Yuma Middle School. However, it has decreased at Yuma High School. Neb said it is not clear why that is the case at YHS, but provided a few ideas.
It was reported that an oven should be installed at YMS in time for the next school year. That will eliminate the need for the food to be transported from YHS to YMS, which will improve food quality at the middle school, and also be able meet extra demand on a particular day.
The Consent Agenda included some comings and goings among staff. Long-time Human Resources Director Janna Young is resigning, along with YHS math Avery Marzolf after one year, and Yuma Preschool Para Chelsea Webb.
Wendy Lynch, currently the K-4 P.E. teacher is changing to ELL teacher at Morris Elementary. Lucas Lubbers, currently a science teacher at YHS, will be the K-4 P.E. teacher next school year. YHS graduate Savanna Neb is being hired as a YHS/YMS science teacher. Tessa Rhodes will be the new seventh-grade English teacher, and Amber Gonzalez will be the grades 5-12 nurse aide.
A donation of $500 for the YHS softball team from the Yuma Boosters was part of the agenda.
Students and staff members of the month were recognized during the meeting. The MES student was Mateo Franquez Celedon and the staff member Sara Vega: the YMS student was Cooper Heberlein, and the staff member Amber Taylor, and; the YHS student was Kena Serl, and the staff member was Desiree Mosenteen.
Fraley reported that 15 YMS students competed in the Battle of Books in Sterling last week, and they did very well.
Cheryl Newbanks said a prayer for the board during visitors’ comments.
FOCUS GROUP
Representatives from 2Revolutions spent Monday in Yuma to begin a year-long process of intense training for Yuma School District-1 teachers.
The Board of Education approved a contract in March not to exceed $122,500 for 12 days of on-site training.
The first day was Monday as all teachers and administrators were interviewed and surveyed, followed by a work session with the board that evening prior to its regular meeting. Adam Rubin and Keri Melmed also were going to meet with 70 students on Tuesday.
The board’s main goals, presented Monday, are to empower and support educators, and to champion student-centered excellence.
Board member Heath Roundtree told Rubin the board wants students to be the best they can be no matter what they end up doing later in life. Tyson Brown added they want school to be relevant for all students.
Rubin explained that educators need to be trained differently, and to reimagine the public education system.
The board was told continuity of leadership is important. Buy-in by adminstrative leaders and teachers is paramount. Rubin said one year of continuity of work and direction from 2Revolutions should set the stage for staff members to take over leadership in the effort.
Board members asked how one will be able to see tangible evidence of success through 2Revolutions. Rubin said he will take a stab at coming up with tangibles within the next month.