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NEWSFLASH
Tax Credit Donation Law Changes
Under
the provisions of SB 1529, the extracurricular activity (ECA)
tax credit has increased to $300 for married couples
filing a joint return for 2005. For the 2006 tax year
and beyond, the limit goes to $400 for married couples
filing a joint return.
There is no change in the amount for individuals
filing as single, married filing separate returns or
head of household, which remains at $200. The
law still states that "a husband and wife who
file separate returns for a taxable year in which they could have filed a joint return may claim only
one-half of the tax credit that would have been
allowed for a joint return". Therefore, if
married taxpayers file separate returns, each spouse
may claim only a maximum of $150 for tax year 2005
and $200 for tax year 2006 and all future years.
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GOVERNING BOARD
Governing Board Meeting Tomorrow Night
The next meeting of the Kyrene
Governing Board will take place on Tuesday, August 9 at
7 p.m. A Study Session regarding the K-8 Programming
Study Work Plan will precede the regular meeting at 6
p.m. The agenda for the Board meeting is attached.
New Governing Board Member
In July, Maricopa County School Superintendent Sandra
Dowling appointed Ross Robb to the vacant seat of the
Kyrene Governing Board. Mr. Robb is a partner and Chief
Operating Officer for Benton-Robb Development
Associates, and Chairman of the Board of the Caitlin
Robb Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting
Arizona’s children’s cancer programs. He received
his Bachelors Degree in Accounting from the State
University of New York and his MBA from the Arizona
State University College of Business. Mr. Robb fills the
seat vacated by Dr. John Doney, who resigned in June
after relocating to New Mexico.
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MAJOR
INITIATIVES
Communications Audit Focus Groups
In late August, Kyrene will begin a comprehensive
Communications Audit to analyze our current
effectiveness in this area and to better meet the needs
of the Kyrene community. The Audit will be facilitated
by independent auditors and will include 15-20 focus
groups with a variety of stakeholder audiences, including
multiple groups for Kyrene staff. The focus groups
– which will last 1 hour – will take place starting
on the evening of August 29 through the morning of
August 31. Focus groups will be scheduled throughout the
day to accommodate a variety of schedules. For more
information or if you are interested in participating,
feel free to contact Johnny
Cruz at x4174.
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TRAINING AND
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
GeoMath
Workshop Opportunity
The Arizona Geographic Alliance is offering this
workshop at no cost on Saturday, August 27, 2005 at the
ASUWest Campus. GeoMath is a K-8 program of 85 lessons
based on the Arizona State Standards for geography and
mathematics. The
lessons provide teacher instructions, student handouts,
answer keys, maps, student samples, graphics, and
photos, and include assessments that mirror
state-mandated testing. To
reserve a spot, send a $30 check, that will be returned
to you at the end of the day's program, along with a
completed registration form.
For more information or to obtain the
registration form call the Arizona Geographic Alliance
at (480) 965-5361 or send an e-mail to GBEkiss@aol.com.
Student
Outcomes Plan Class
A class for first time writers of a
Career Ladder Student Outcomes Plan is being offered on
August 25 and August 30 at the District Office.
Participants will become familiar with the mission of
the Career Ladder Program, learn about the benefits of
participating, and will write a draft of their
own Student Outcomes Plan. Please bring the curriculum
guide for the content area you will use to write your
own Student Outcomes Plan. Register on the Professional
Growth Online (PGO).
ASU
Language and Literacy Master’s and Reading Endorsement
Program
The ASU
Language and Literacy Master's and Reading Endorsement
Program will continue to be offered at various
school sites in Kyrene for Fall 2005. Some of the
classes begin on August 16, 2005. Since this is
considered a "rolling cohort", participants
are able to enroll in this program any time a new class
is offered.
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STAFF
REMINDERS
Certified Staff: Pay and Deduction Process
- The first payday for New and Returning Teachers,
Nurses, and Counselors is August 11: two-weeks pay
- The first payday for Psychologists is also August 11:
one-week pay
-
The Arizona State Retirement mandatory contribution rate
increased from 5.7% to 7.4% on July 1
Insurance Deductions
(medical, vision, dental, STD, flex) for non 12-month
employees
- 20 deductions starting August 25 and ending June
1, 2006 (May 26, 2006, for teachers)
- This is an increase from 18 deductions last year to
lower the cost per payday
- There will be NO insurance deduction on the January
12, 2006, payday
. Questions? Payroll contacts for employees whose last
names end in:
A-G:
Sandi Nelson
x4019
H-N:
Barb
Chamberlin
x4023
O-Z:
Judy Licko
x4021
Bus Drivers, Bus Monitors,
Guest Teachers:
Mikie Garland
x4020
Kids Club:
Beth
Gallaugher
x4046
Building
Comfort Levels
The
Facilities HVAC department has worked hard all summer to
ensure the cooling equipment in your building is running
at maximum efficiency. This does not mean we will not
have equipment failure during the next couple of months.
With the high temperatures and high humidity our
equipment will be doing all it can to hold temperatures
in the buildings.
Here
are some suggestions on how staff can help contribute to
cooler buildings:
1.
Turn off lights when rooms are unoccupied
2.
Turn off hallway lighting
3.
Use day lighting (skylights) if operational
4.
Keep doors closed
5.
Turn off computers and monitors every day
6.
Consider keeping children indoors after lunch.
The demand for cooling is at its highest during this
time.
The
Facilities Department will be setting room temperatures
at 75 degrees with a 2-degree swing up or down. Please
report building or room discomfort to your Building
Manager or Lead Custodian. They will call it in to the
Facilities office for repair after they have checked the
equipment to confirm that there is a problem.
Update
your Network/Address Book Profile
We are all back from summer break and
many of you have moved locations throughout the
district. Please take a moment to log into your
self-service profile updater and fill out your new
location, position, phone number, Web page, etc. This
will ensure that you are added to the correct
location’s email lists and notification servers.
Go to: http://www.kyrene.org/technology
Once there, click on the link to "Update
your Network/Address Book Profile"
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KYRENE
CLASSIFIEDS
Instructional Assistants: Special Education
Kyrene is currently in need of additional instructional
assistants for Special Education programs. Benefits are
available after 20 hours and are prorated as with any
part-time employee. For more information on how to
apply, visit the Human
Resources page on the Kyrene Web site.
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NEWSLETTERS
United
Healthcare Newsletter
The attached United
Healthcare newsletter has information on your United
Healthcare benefits, health-related articles, and tips
for staying healthy throughout the year.
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