The average salary for the year was $52,447, an increase of $2,148 from FY 2018-19. The data was presented as GPS Finance Director Jackie Mattinen reviewed the annual financial report for the governing board Oct. 13.
Mattinen noted the average salary may not increase as much as district-approved raises as younger teachers are hired to replace older teachers who move on.
Other highlights from Mattinen’s presentation included:
- Overall increases to maintenance and operations spending and unrestricted capital spending came mostly from approved compensation increases, benefits increases, and increased allocations for athletics and capital spending.
- The district has been approved for a $2.3 million Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief grant but has not spent the money yet. It also has received approval for an Enrollment Stabilization Grant but will not find out for how much until November.
- The district has budgeted for an $11 million budget-balance carry forward, but that total could increase once the Arizona Department of Education does a final analysis of the annual financial report.
- The ending fund balances for FY 2019-20 include $31.2 million in the maintenance and operations fund, $3.71 million in the unrestricted capital outlay fund, $19.73 million in the bond building fund, and $1.26 million in the debt service fund.
- A number of cash funds, such as food services and student activities, had less revenue in FY 2019-20 than the previous year because of the schools’ fourth-quarter shutdown.
- The tax rate continues to trend downward in the district.
