By Linda Kor The Joseph City Unified School District Governing Board met on Oct. 13 and among the items discussed was a petition that was sent to the board to keep the school’s indoor pool open, which is scheduled to close for the winter season on Oct. 30. According to Superintendent Bryan Fields, the reasons for shutting the pool at this time is financial. “As much as I’d like to keep this open, in the past we haven’t had much attendance other than the mornings.” The petition, signed by approximately 12 people, noted that it was understood that as part of the passing of the override, the pool was to be open longer. Board President Karsten Flake said that it was his understanding that the passing of the override would allow the pool to be kept open as it had been in the past, not to extend the hours. That statement was agreed upon by fellow board member Rhonda Robertson. Fields, who wrote the details for the override, said that it did not include the pool, and that the funding is to benefit teacher salaries and classroom instruction. Fields read from the petition where it stated that the planned pool closure for Oct. 30 was a month earlier than in previous years. “Almost as far back as I’ve been here, and I’ve been here a little while now at the school, it’s usually been October, sometimes even sooner. One year we stayed open until November and were looking to stay open longer but due to low attendance we shut it down,” stated Fields. The petition also noted that the district had promised to open the pool in March but didn’t open until July, to which Fields noted the COVID shutdown was the reason the pool was unable to open at its scheduled time. He explained that just to heat the water during the summer is approximately $2,000 each month and that in the winter that cost would increase to include heating the air, in addition to the personnel costs. Fields stated that an effort was made in the past for night swims, movie nights, workouts and other activities to spread the cost out instead of just on those interested in morning swim but couldn’t get the interest and the attendance did not make the effort cost effective. “If kids don’t want to swim, we can’t force it no matter how we feel in this meeting,” said Fields. Karsten Flake noted, “It’s a lot of money for the few people that use it. If it’s not helping our students, we really have to look at the cost.” The students have already completed their four weeks of swimming for the year and will not utilize the pool again until April. Board member Eldon Larson stated, “In this small community we’ve always tried to keep things that allow the community to use and use as much of the facilities as we possibly can.” The board agreed and Karsten Flake stated that the district should look into the actual numbers to keep the pool open and then determine what type of commitment is willing to be made by the community to utilize it. Board member Andrew Bushman stated, “If the community can come up with a way to fund it then I think we’re looking at $4,000 to $5,000 a month, where it’s not putting a strain on our already tight finances. The school can survive without the pool, the pool can’t survive without the school.” Fields added that he hopes if nothing else to open the pool earlier next March. “Or maybe there’s an alternative heating source,” stated Fields. The discussion continued to determine if any clubs or athletics could utilize the pool that would support extending the opening, but no one felt that would be something that would take place. The administration did agree to consider other options for keeping the pool open that did not utilize student funds. The board elections were canceled due to the lack of candidates other than the incumbents, so the board will remain the same as it was the previous year. Karsten Flake is the president and the board selected Eldon Larson as the new clerk of the board. Fields also reported that to date there has been no positive confirmed cases of COVID reported at the district schools. The district still has 39 students that continue with online learning. Business Manager Steve Mills informed the board that the USDA has continued the free meal program until the end of the school year. Regarding the review of the annual 2019-20 financial report, the board discussed the concern of late fees incurred on company credit cards due to employees failing to provide receipts for purchases in a timely fashion. The fees for the previous year amounted to approximately $1,700. The board discussed potential remedies such as repercussions to employees who fail to follow procedures in a timely fashion and informing employees of the fees incurred if the receipts are not provided, which they may not be aware of. The board discussed in length the decision-making process of transferring money between funds in order to have an understanding of the actual money available in each fund. Following the discussion, board members Karsten Flake, Rhonda Roberson, Eldon Larson and Dayton Flake voted in favor of accepting the 2019-20 annual financial report. Board member Andrew Bushman voting against. In other business, the board: * Approved the bid awards to Classic Roofing for the high school roof replacement in the amount of $369,970 and SD Crane for the elementary school roof replacement in the amount of $329,947. * Approved return to work retiree Darrel Mosier through Educational Services, Inc. * Approved employee assignments for Darolyn Dewitt, Ruth Dewitt and Theresa Holmes, each as after school tutors; Julie Fields, Title IX coordinator; Andy Foree, after school program instructor (grant funded); and Darrel Mosier, STEM science fair coordinator. * Approved volunteers Nichole Neat and Caleb Layden. * Approved the resignations of Taura Dobbs, instructional aide and maintenance tech. * Approved the termination of Albert Browning, bus driver. * Approved Greg Case, Megan Hangen, Reva Haydukovich, Zach Miller, April Neill and Ben Spurlock, each as substitute teachers; Brian Colligon and Pat Morris, both as substitute bus drivers; and Brian Colligon, substitute custodian. * Approved the support staff employment of Talaina Kor and Theresa McKinzie, each as after school program instructors (grant funded); Andrea Miller, Tyson Miller, Adam Neat and Nichole Neat, each as Strengthening Family instructors (grant funded); and Ben Spurlock and Hayden Fisher, both as event workers. * Approved extra duty for Caleb Layden, junior varsity girls basketball coach. * Approved advisory 677 and 678: ACA Sexual Harassment and ACAA Title IX Sexual Harassment to keep the school district in compliance with federal law. * Authorized acceptance of a $500 donation from Arizona Public Service to teacher Darrel Mosier. * Approved a staff appreciation breakfast for Friday, Oct. 30, and a governing board training. * Approved distance learning pay for teachers.
