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Prescott Unified School District faculty and staff were treated to a free lunch on Friday, April 23, as part of the city’s PUSD Excellence in Education Day arranged through the PUSD Education Foundation.
In a year like no other, Foundation leaders and donors said they wanted a way to say “thank you” to district educators who have gone above and beyond to educate and enrich the lives of 4,000 children and their families.
The Rotary Club of Prescott – Sunup covered the cost of the lunch provided through the district food service staff. The menu was ham and cheese croissants, chips, apples, and drink. No students were on the grounds as it was a professional development day.
Taylor Hicks Elementary Principal Kelsey Secor said she was gratified city leaders and the community wanted to honor the incredible work of so many during a difficult, unprecedented school year full of challenges to make certain students didn’t miss key academic lessons but knew how much they were loved by their teachers, their entire school, and district leaders.
“This is a job that’s all heart, and that is really exhausting,” Secor said. “In a year that has been pretty difficult, it’s really nice to get some recognition.”
At Mile High Middle School, visual art teacher Brandon Uftring said he thought the gesture “was cool” but he would have really liked to see the city’s voters support the extended override in November.
The budget override on the ballot would have extended the existing 4.6% override to 8%. The voters’ dissent has meant a million dollar loss in the district budget.
The override approved in 2015 allowed the district to raise salaries for all employees by 5%.
Fellow Mile High Communication and audio visual technology teacher Wendy Tollefsen said she appreciates the city acknowledging local educators’ commitment and contributions to students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teacher’s lunch during Excellence in Education Day 2021 in Prescott, Arizona.