As part of the strategic safety plan for the Winslow Unified School District, cameras complete with audio capability have been placed in all district school buses. According to Superintendent Cyndi Mattox, “They are very clear and they download to the bus barn every night.”
The equipment has been integral in the solving of minor incidents on the buses. “It was a great move,” Mattox said. She added that cameras will continue to be added throughout the district, in schools and other student populated areas. “We are really starting to hit on some of those things that we feel are very important to student safety,” she said.
Also discussed at the Sept. 21 meeting of the district governing board was a proposed trip for the Winslow Junior High School Student Council to a leadership conference in Hollywood, Calif. Class sponsor Sharon Vasquez explained, “We usually go to leadership conferences in Arizona, but we wanted to spread our wings and fly a little bit further away. We fundraised everything; it doesn’t come out of any budget. We have about $15,000.”
The trip is scheduled Jan. 25-28, and will include up to five district employees, two adult chaperones and 23 students.
The board unanimously approved the trip. “To take them to a place they have not seen before or may never see again is amazing,” Mattox said.
A financial report was given by Business Director Shirley Lomeli, outlining the annual finance report from the 2016-17 school year and asking for board approval.
According to Lomeli, the district was able to carry over 3.5 percent of last year’s budget into this fiscal year. She explained that, “Overall, the year went very well.”
The board approved the report, which is available on the district website at www.wusd1.org.
In other business, the governing board:
* Approved the routine procedure of ratifying vouchers between board meetings.
* Approved the hiring of Elizabeth Hardy as a health technician at WHS; Rose Testa Monaghan and Randy Theesfeld, substitute bus drivers; and Sharlinda Monroe, custodian.
* Accepted the resignations of Kyle Gomez as a health technician at WHS; and Kristy Lomasong, art teacher WHS.
* Approved the termination of employment of Jerutha Dunigan as a custodian; and Steve Wagoner, bus driver.
* Accepted donations from Sonic Night in the amounts of $331.52 to Bonnie Brennan Elementary School and $77.34 to Washington Elementary School.
* Authorized acceptance of a $1,000 grant awarded to Jefferson Elementary teacher Anita Montgomery. She was awarded the grant following a competitive application process from the Arizona Community Foundation. The money comes from the sale of Extraordinary Educators license plates throughout the state.
* Approved the renewal of the contract between the district and Greg Schalow, keeping him on as the hearing officer for the 2017-18 school year. Schalow’s duties include recording and reporting of student disciplinary hearings throughout the district. He has been with the district for two years.
* Designated qualified staff evaluators for the 2017-18 school year.
The next board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 800 Apache Avenue, second floor.
