The Fountain Hills Unified School District Governing Board has given Superintendent Tom Lawrence the go-ahead to issue the majority of contracts for the 2015-16 academic year, including those for teachers, the McDowell Mountain principal and the Middle School/Four Peaks assistant principal.

Three directors’ contracts, however, are currently on the back burner.

District contracts made it to the action agenda during the April 22 board meeting, following several study sessions to discuss the district budget and contracts.

Earlier this month, Lawrence stated that FHUSD aimed to bypass a reduction in force this school year, with retirement and attrition likely to cover the drop in average daily membership.

That appears to still be the plan, with Lawrence granted approval to issue certified (teacher) contracts during the April 22 meeting.

The ability to conduct a reduction in force was also a part of that same action item, in case it is needed.

Lawrence stated that he hopes to be able to bump up local teacher pay this school year, too, though figures were unavailable at the time of the meeting.

“Once our budget firms up, we’re shooting for a raise, absolutely,” Lawrence said.

The passed action item included an addendum for such a change, with a potential raise to be added into teacher contracts at a later date.

As for principal contracts, the board approved Lawrence issuing a one- year contract to McDowell Mountain head Valerie Dehombreux.

Traditionally, principals are granted one-year contracts with a chance for renewal for three years before moving on to a three-year contract. The 2014-15 school year was Dehombreux’s first in the district.

All other district principals are wrapping up their second year of ongoing three-year contracts.

While the board could have voted to go ahead and renew new three-year contracts, they instead opted to hold off for the time being.

According to Board President Jill Reed, timing was a main factor in this decision.

“I’m not comfortable offering now, during a transitional period, when that would tie our principals to a new superintendent or our new superintendent to our principals,” Reed said.

Patrick Sweeney was recently named the new FHUSD superintendent, taking over July 1 for the retiring Lawrence.

Not offering new contracts to currently contracted principals will allow Sweeney and his staff to spend a year together before deciding if a new three-year term is desired.

The board also authorized Lawrence to offer a contract to FHMS/Four Peaks Assistant Principal Tony Galietti, after separating it from an action item containing remaining district directors’ contracts.

Currently lacking contracts are Student Services Director Caroline Lynch, Executive Director of Business and Support Services Lisa Martinez and Transportation Director Robert DeWolf.

Reed explained she would like to see a figure attached to the proposed teacher raise before considering the remaining director contracts for approval.

It is expected that figure will be available at the May 13 meeting, at which point the board may also choose to authorize the superintendent to offer the remaining contracts.

This final item was passed four to one with member C.T. Wright opposed.