During last week’s Winslow Unified School District Governing Board meeting the board accepted donations made to Winslow Junior High English Language Arts teacher Samantha Monroe and Washington Elementary School.
Monroe received $1,122 from donorschoose.org to supply her classroom with a charging station for student Chromebooks. The website offers philanthropists the opportunity to donate to classroom campaigns for supplies. Last year, Monroe was also awarded alternative seating through the fundraising site thanks in part to small donors and one anonymous benefactor who provided a large percentage of the required monies. That same benefactor was instrumental in this campaign as well. Monroe plans to continue to use donorschoose.org to supply her students with the tools they need to succeed.
Washington Elementary School received $7,324 from community members and local businesses in their 12th annual walk-a-thon fundraiser. The money raised will be used for classroom supplies, field trips and other improvements within the school. Major contributors were State Farm Insurance, Winslow School Employees Credit Union, 3C’s Autobody, La Posada Hotel, Martinez Plumbing, Greer’s Mortuary, Joe’s Glass and Brown Mug Café.
The governing board also approved the advertising document for the position of district Superintendent. Current Superintendent Cyndie Mattox will be retiring at the end of the 2019-20 school year.
In the discussion about the advertising document, President Sharon Greenwood mentioned an addition to the document. “We added a part about the prospective superintendent having some business and finance knowledge. We also made sure there was a lot about diversity in the advertisement, so that whoever applies knows that we have a very diverse culture in our schools.”
Also approved was the updated job description for superintendent. Board member Dodie Montoya said, “The old description said the superintendent should have 20 years of experience. I feel like 20 years in, they are looking at retirement. I would like to see that as 15 or even 12 years of experience in the classroom and as a principal.”
The board agreed and it was approved that the language be changed to match the language being used in the advertising document. That language includes using ‘preferred’ instead of ‘required’ when referring to education and experience. Board member Joe Hartnett said, “This is like a funnel. We want to keep the funnel wide at first and then be able to make distinctions and decisions when the right candidate comes along.”
It was also mentioned that the board feels it is favorable that the new superintendent live in Winslow. Greenwood said “That is on the mind of all of the board members. However, we don’t feel like we should require it because we want to keep it open for any and all qualified applicants. Hopefully, we will make it where they will want to live here.”
In other business, the governing board:
* Approved the return to work after retirement of Jodie Garner, as principal at Jefferson Elementary; Desiree Bengson, first grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School; and Gloria Alcott, transportation secretary.
* Approved the hiring of Krystal Edgmon, substitute bus driver; Lisa Foster, classroom aid; Sandra Gabaldon, English Language Arts teacher at Winslow Junior High; Renee Hardy, high needs aid at the junior high; Robin Henry, temporary office staff; Scott Corum, boys basketball coach; Venton Nelson, assistant coach; Stephanie Nelson, junior varsity boys basketball coach; Garrent Goodrich, freshman boys basketball coach; Jerron Jordan, girls basketball coach; Erick Petranovich, assistant coach; Janeen Barton, junior varsity girls basketball coach; Jennifer Yazzie, freshman girls basketball coach; Scott Larsen, wrestling coach; Eddie Montano, assistant wrestling coach; and Lorey Thomas, substitute office staff.
* Approved extra duty stipends for Ginger Fischer, orchestra teacher; Sarah Shumway, band teacher; Natalie Barrios, HOSA Future Health Professionals sponsor; Roland Hancock, Future Business Leaders of America sponsor; Quentin Hayes, skills/public safety; Lisa Long, skills/graphic design; Daniel Tafoya, Future Farmers of America sponsor; Todd Turley, skills/drafting; and Elizabeth Grimes, sound/lights/stage Manager.
* Approved out of state travel for two employees and four Indian Education Committee members to Arlington, Va., on Feb. 8 to attend the National Johnson O’Malley conference.
* Authorized Cyndie Mattox as the signer for the annual Impact Aid grant application.
* Approved the Indian Policies and Procedures in a routine annual procedure related to the Impact Aid Grant Application.
* Approved a memorandum of understanding between the district and Navajo County, increasing fuel reimbursement for transportation from $2.49 per mile to $2.69 per mile. The last revision was in 2014.
* Cancelled the Dec. 19 and Jan. 2 board meetings.
The next meeting of the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, in the board room, located at 800 N. Apache Ave.
