By Naomi Hatch The Snowflake Unified School District Governing Board approved a recommendation last week to send Craig Peterson to maintenance training on card readers, which are similar to the keys used in a motel. Superintendent Hollis Merrell explained to the board that card readers would be a benefit to the district because, “If we have a master key lost, it’s expensive to re-key everything.” He noted that if a card reader is lost it can be reprogrammed, and keys can be programmed for use at certain times. Card readers would give the district more control over its keys. Merrell said that they have a vision for this, which will start with having card readers in the main office of each school, as well as the Snowflake High School gymnasiums. A quote from C&I Show Hardware and Security Systems under the state contract is $15,555.51, and would include a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant door for Fish Hall. “We will be looking at other possibilities,” said Merrell, referring to the cost. Having Peterson attend the training would save the district quite a bit of money for the first initial installation of card readers and each subsequent job. Training is free, but it will cost approximately $1,200 for his airfare, hotel, meals and a rental car. Merrell noted that they may not have funds available immediately for the card readers, but the class is only offered once a year. If Peterson attends the class, SHS officials would be able to tell North Central Accreditation officials that there is a plan in place to make the door on the north side of Fish Hall ADA compliant, which is a priority for the school district. In other action April 10, the board: * Held the first reading of policy revisions recommended by the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA). Merrell said these were minor changes. * Approved setting up a $2/5 million line of credit for the district. For a few years the Navajo County Treasurer’s Office has required that school districts have a line of credit established with a bank for unforeseen cash shortfalls. Business Manager Mark Ollerton said that there have been two occasions when the school has been required to utilize this line of credit to cover expenditures and it was mainly due to the delayed state aid payment structure. They have not used this line of credit for the past two years. * Approved the 2014-15 salary schedule, as required by law. Merrell said that there were no changes from last year due to the budget situation. * Approved the 2013 annual financial report. Ollerton explained that every year a comprehensive audit is conducted by independent auditors who go through the district financial statements. “We had training with the staff after we got the audit,” said Ollerton. “Overall, the audit was good.” * Approved 2014 class capacity for special education. Merrell explained that because of open enrollment, they must establish class capacity, which allows the district to monitor open enrollment. “I can’t remember us turning people away,” said Merrell. “We do get quite a few students from other districts.”