The Gilroy Unified School District held its only July meeting Thursday night, covering everything from progress in construction and new technology implementations to substantial budget improvements.
Superintendent Deborah Flores and GUSD Board Trustee Jaime Rosso declared the goal of getting district finances under control by the end of June had been met.
“We are sound financially and moving forward as a district academically,” Rosso said.
Since Santa Clara County fiscal advisor, Nimrat Johal, intervened in February to help solve the fiscal mismanagement disaster the district was enduring, Rosso said the GUSD is now in a good place with a strong team.
“I want to acknowledge the staff for overcoming the crisis that called for getting the county involved,” Rosso said. “We now even have a surplus of approximately three million dollars.”
STAFF UPDATES
The Board voted and approved a one-year contract extension for Flores, who will remain superintendent through 2017. Her total annual compensation, $187,500, will stay the same.
The board added three new members to its cabinet: John Perales, Human Resources director ($125,544 per year); Barbara Brown, Student Services director ($125,555 per year); and Alvaro Meza, assistant superintendent of Business Services ($161,700 per year).
STATE BUDGET UPDATES
Meza, who began his position with GUSD on July 1, said June revenues at the state level are approximately $2 billion higher than Gov. Jerry Brown had originally projected.
“The governor’s estimates have been overly conservative,” Meza said.
Noting that California schools have not received a dollar increase from the government since 2007, Meza said money will be coming back to the schools.
In terms of the district’s cash flow, Meza said all money the district borrowed in between payrolls has been repaid. As of June 27, the district will receive $12 million quarterly from the Education Protection Account (EPA) fund. Meza said the budget outlook is good; much better than last year.
Trustee Rosso agreed, saying, “We’re in the best place we’ve been in a while.”
TECHNOLOGY
The board approved a contract with IT Management Corporation to install a wireless network at Christopher, Gilroy and Mt. Madonna high schools at a cost of $84,948.31. The Christopher family, through the Gilroy Foundation, is contributing up to $100,000 to fund the project.
“We’re entering the 21st century,” Flores said. “There are a number of steps we need to take to achieve BYOD (bring your own device).”
HEADWAY BEING MADE ON CONSTRUCTION
With the $150 million that was authorized through the passing of Measure P on the Nov. 4, 2008 ballot, as well as state funds and developer fees, schools are undergoing major improvements and modernizations.
“We’re moving a lot of dirt, pouring a lot of concrete, painting a lot of walls,” GUSD School Board Trustee James Pace said.
Pace and fellow trustee Patricia Midtgaard visited Rucker and Rod Kelley elementary schools and CHS this month.
Facilities Planning and Management Director James Bombaci presented updates on construction at Rucker and Rod Kelley elementary schools, Brownell and South Valley middle schools and Gilroy High School.
The GHS stadium is getting field upgrades this summer, however, the board showed concern that renovations will not be finished by Aug. 22, the first day of school. A discussion over where the football team will potentially host its games during construction will take place at next month’s meeting.
“Overall, we’re in phase two of a three phase project,” Bombaci said.
The next regular school board meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at district offices, 7810 Arroyo Circle.
