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SIERRA VISTA — With a ceremonial “changing of the wood,” as it was put, Renae Humburg removed her name plate from her seat at the governing board’s table and replaced it with Brett Agenbroad’s.
Humburg’s 12-year tenure as superintendent of the Sierra Vista school district ends June 30, and Tuesday night’s board meeting marked her last one.
“We have had some great times,” Humburg said. “And I’m so proud of this district.”
Humburg received a standing ovation as she sat down after giving her final superintendent remarks at the end of the meeting, as well as some very kind words from governing board members.
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“You carried out your duties in the most professional manner,” said board member Don Rothery. “Thank you.”
Board President Connie Johnson said she learned an important lesson from Humburg.
“Renae always said we need to celebrate the good things that are going on in our schools,” she said. “Renae was so caring, and I think that’s so important.”
A past board president, Ruben Mirando, was on hand to say farewell to Humburg during the public comments portion of the meeting.
“Here was a woman who came in and was applying for a job and knew all the concerns of the community,” Mirando said, adding that was the moment where she solidified her position. “Thank you for what you have done.”
Also during Tuesday night’s meeting, the board approved publication of the proposed 08-09 fiscal year budget for the district.
The maintenance and operation (M&O) budget, which includes $3,113,086 from the M&O override, is proposed to be $38,844,685, with 68.23 percent of that going toward salaries.
The unrestricted capital budget will have a 28.4-percent decrease to $668,179. With the expected loss of building renewal funds, the district will have to use the unrestricted budget to finance four major projects that need to be completed, including replacing chillers at Buena High School and repairing drainage at Pueblo del Sol Elementary School.
Also included in the upcoming year’s budget is a $197,000 payment the district will have to make to Qwest Corp. as part of the settlement in a lawsuit regarding excess centrally assessed valuations.
Business Manager Michelle Quiroz also announced the preliminary tax rate, which is expected to decrease from 6.5783 to 4.9833. “That does not necessarily mean that your tax rates will go down,” Quiroz cautioned. “Assessed valuation continues to rise.”
People interested in looking at the budget will be able to soon find it online at the district’s Web site, as well as at the Arizona Department of Education’s Web site.
A public hearing will be held July 8 prior to the board meeting, during which time the board will vote to adopt the budget, allowing for public comments and questions regarding the 08-09 budget.
On the Net
The Sierra Vista school district budget will soon be posted to the following Web sites:
• Sierra Vista school district: www.sierravistapublicschools.com
• Arizona Department of Education: www.ade.state.az.us
Herald/Review reporter Katie Evans can be reached at 515-4611. or by e-mail at katie.evans@svherald.com.
Wally wrote on Jul 3, 2008 2:34 PM: