By L. Parsons Last week, the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board met to discuss their regular agenda which included an update on COVID-19 in the district. During the meeting, Superintendent Kathryn Zanin explained that Winslow Junior High School had canceled its winter sports seasons. “As we know, the numbers are rising. The junior high belongs to the White Mountain League which met and voted to cancel their wrestling and volleyball seasons.” Junior high secretary and athletic organizer Gina Williams said in a follow up email, “Our concern for our students was in the forefront of this decision. The need to keep our student athletes, coaches and spectators safe was a priority.” Fees already paid by athletes are in the process of being refunded. Winslow High School has postponed their wrestling and basketball competitions until at least January according to Zanin. The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) board recommended the season postponement, as well as set forth regulations for continuing athletic training for students. Zanin said, “We are still in Phase I, meaning sort of an open gym situation where athletes are not coming in contact with each other. Like with wrestling, there is not grappling but they are still working out to maintain their skills.” According to AIA, when WHS wrestling does return, skin checks, temperature checks and a COVID survey will be administered during each weigh in. There will be no multi-team invitational meets, dual meets will be permitted. Zanin also brought forth an idea to the board that included hiring physical education teachers and counselors to the three Winslow elementary schools. Children, according to Zanin, are experiencing mental health issues due to the pandemic. It is her thought that physical education can help mitigate those issues. No action was taken on the hiring of additional staff at this time. However, the governing board agreed with Zanin and will look into budgetary restraints and the logistics of bringing on certified instructors and counselors. The matter will be further discussed at a later meeting. The governing board approved a $2,500 grant from Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers to Natasha Naha. Naha is a third grade teacher at Bonnie Brennan Elementary School and was one of two Navajo County winners of the grant. She will use the funds to further provide her classroom with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) supplies. An executive session was held to discuss the annual evaluation of the superintendent. No action was taken and no further public discussion was held. In other business, the governing board: * Ratified vouchers in a routine procedure that allows the board to submit vouchers to the Navajo County Superintendent of Schools between meetings. * Accepted the hiring of Bonne Garrett as a Winslow High School English teacher. * Accepted the resignation of Sunya Caldera, paraprofessional. * Approved extra duty stipends at WHS for Tyler Allen, Jonathan Friedman, Celeste Hartnett, Michelle Jones and Lani Leonard. * Tabled a discussion and action regarding a partnership with Winslow Police Department using Catapult, an anonymous tip line. The item was tabled for the second meeting in a row due to lack of budgetary information. * Heard the district financial report for October. In the report, business manager Shirley Lomeli informed the board that 33 percent of the school year has passed and 21 percent of the budget had been spent. The next meeting of the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, in the board meeting room, located at 800 N. Apache Ave.
