By Talaina Kor During the Holbrook Unified School District No. 3 Governing Board meeting last Tuesday, Sept. 14, Superintendent Dr. Koerperich spoke to the board regarding the proposed Instructional Time Model aligned to instructional time flexibility. The Instructional Time Model (ITM) allows for up to 50% of instructional time to be remote or virtual if the district chooses such an instructional platform. “I think coming off of a disruption like the pandemic it did provide us the opportunity to reevaluate the way that we deliver educational services,” he noted. Arizona passed a bill that allows school districts to deliver educational programs 50% off campus. “Meaning that 50% of the time the students would be working on independent learning or it could be a Saturday, it could be evening classes, it can be however the school district creatively develops a program to be delivered off campus or virtual learning or hybrid type learning.” Koerperich added that there is the virtual learning route with Arizona Online Instruction, which many schools have done but Holbrook has not due to there being no equality for all students if attempted. “Some people have internet and some people don’t. In my mind, for somebody to be able to do Arizona Online Instruction and for somebody not to be able to Arizona Online Instruction is not equitable. We’ve got to find a way to make that more equitable.” Koeperich added that he believed in-person and hybrid learning can be more evenhanded. “This instructional time model gives our administration and our staff and our parents some opportunity to discuss how can we become very creative and how we deliver our instruction. This method of teaching will allow leniency during the pandemic without sacrificing education. “We would like to pass this as an instructional time model for the Holbrook Unified School District so basically, if we have to close a classroom because of an outbreak or something like that we would be able to count that as instructional time, away from school.” Koerperich also added this would also help with the occasional bad weather days that HUSD encounters. He also explained the school will be implementing a two-to-one system, where students will be provided a computer at home and at school. Approving the Instructional Time Model allows the district some flexibility and to study what would work best over the course of the year. “Maybe we will be able to bring this back to the board going into next year about what we are going to offer. I don’t ever see it being we’re only going to go to school for two days and two days off. Because our kids need to be on campus, and they need to be learning. But there might be some opportunities specific programs for some flexibility,” The board approved a second and final public hearing on the proposed Instructional Time Model aligned to instructional time flexibility. In other business, the board: * Approved the Holbrook High School science course curriculum. * Heard a presentation on use of the Holbrook Unified School District Maintenance and Operations Override, as well as accept public comment concerning override funding. * Approved the SY 21-22 Prop 301 Plan. The Prop 301 performance pay plan has been approved by over 70% of the eligible participants. * Approved a 60-day review of the math program Envision Math by Savvas Learning Company. * Approved a 60-day review of US and world history curriculum materials as outlined in the 60-day curriculum review request. * Approved a 60-day review of the Navajo language program Rosetta Stone Dine’ Bizaad by Navajo Language Renaissance. The program will be used via mobile devices, school computers and home devices. The program will be used as a supplemental program for Navajo language classes at Holbrook High School and Holbrook Junior High School. * Approved a 60-day review of the textbook Biology 2e by OpenStax. The textbook is used for dual enrollment courses offered through Northland Pioneer College at Holbrook High School. * Approved Dobridge & Company P.C. for the annual audit for HUSD #3 for fiscal year 2022. * Approved an updated HUSD No. 3 Bus Driver Attraction and Retention Plan administrative procedure, which includes updated perfect and excellence in attendance rates, new starting hourly rate, performance pay, and training incentives. * Approved an Indian Wells Elementary School Transportation Scheduler extra duty job description. The extra duty assignment will assist the transportation department with transportation needs at IWES including scheduling routes, times, locations, etc. * Approved a Facility Lead Extra Duty job description. The extra duties will include overseeing facility needs at Indian Wells Elementary School. * Approved a District Substitute Extra Duty job description. The job description will allow teaching certificated employees to be compensated for substituting in the classroom at both an hourly and daily rate as an extra duty. * Approved substitute pay rates. * Authorized the reinstatement of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Club. The AISES Club will be an open society for those students that are interested in careers and projects involving engineering. HHS will work closely with the University of Arizona Chapter to build the AISES program. The club is also requesting to be tax credit eligible. * Approved to begin a Broadcasting Club at Holbrook High School. The club will provide live broadcasts of sporting events, musical events, promotion, graduation and other district functions. Students will learn about live productions through this club. The club is also requesting to become a tax credit program. * Approved a Sports Announcer Extra Duty job description. The extra duty will apply to varsity contests and will coincide with Roadrunner Broadcast events. * Approved the list of Risk Trust qualified hearing officers for school districts to use in matters of student discipline and employ related issues that arise throughout the school year. * Approved a memorandum of understanding between the Winslow Indian Health Care Center and Indian Wells Elementary School to provide health related education and care at Indian Wells Elementary School during school year 2021-2022. * Approved a leave of absence for Jennifer Smith through Jan. 2, 2022. * Approved adult paid meal prices for the district to be set at $5 for lunch and $2.75 for breakfast to align with food and nutrition service guidelines for SY 21-22. * Approved an updated Class Size Differential Stipend Administrative Procedure that includes long-term substitutes as eligible recipients of the Class Size Differential Stipends. * Approved first reading of a policy revision that outlines the definition of a textbook to be printed instructional materials or digital content, or both, and related printed or nonprinted instructional materials, that are written and published primarily for use in school instruction and that are required by a state educational agency or a local educational agency for use by pupils in the classroom, including materials that require the availability of electronic equipment in order to be used as a learning resource. * Approved first reading of policy revisions that outlines guidelines for providing total compensation statements to staff on a yearly basis. * Approved first reading of policy revision that outline requirements for districts to search prospective employees on the educator information system maintained by the Arizona Department of Education prior to offering employment. * Approved support staff employments of Dante Atkins, Emma Lynn Hunzeker, Abigayle Nez and Dillon Brewer, each as food services student workers; Berrana Begody and Stephanie Charley, both as food services substitute workers; Dominick Damper, support services student custodian; Reid Nez, Lakota Redhouse, Alaya Joe and Deshilynn Martinez, each as HHS student custodians; Melisa Sanchez, Park/HJHS health assistant; Hailey Wilson, transportation student monitor; Kevin Yazzie, transportation IWES bus driver; Sheila Yazzie, food services worker/server. * Approved support staff resignations of Ashley Speers, computer services student tech; and Bitahy Myron, IWES custodian. * Approved certified employment hiring of Scott Catt, Laura Kohler, Jennifer Oldham and James Sumpter, as district substitutes. * Approved extra duty for Beth Baloo, HJHS After School Running Club; Andrea Tomlin, Nichole Tow, Cary Simpson, Karalyn Reidhead, Jeralie McKinnon, Saraphania Benally, Kevin Fosburgh, Paul Demuth, Tracy Johnson, Cheri Grau, and Stephanie Bridegam, each as special education liaisons; Michael Burks, HHS Broadcasting Club; Steven Carbonneau, HJHS football official/HHS tutorial; Erik Carlson, HHS English eighth hour; Joel Daniels, HHS AISES sponsor; Annette Rothman, Ramona Joe, Veronica Karn, Bernice Gover, Terri Dehaan, Kris Taylor, Ray Ann Terry, Debbie Koerperich and Tim Eddings, each as IWES tutors; Gypsi Gover, IWES tutor/cross country intramurals; Stephanie Brosius, Madelyn Green and Shannon Knight, each as HHS tutors; Ramie Hatch and Callie Jensen, each as HHS math tutors; Charles Haussman, HHS testing coordinator/SPED liaison; Lona Haussman, District Binax Now tester; Heidi Hunsaker, Hulet Rockin’ Roadrunner Choir; Kim Jaster, Hulet Art Club tutoring; Alicia Jimenez, Galen Knight, HJHS year one mentor; John McDaniels, HJHS sports help / HHS game help; Linda McMahon, HHS Special Olympics; Sarah Meeks, HHS electives department head; Dan Mitchell, HHS E-Sports head coach; Jerald Nez, HHS math tutorial/AESIS Sponsor; Jessica Paz, HHS Broadcasting Club; Noel Reimer, IWES tutor/Cross Country Intramurals; Michaela Saxton, HHS game help; Beth Self, Park Rockin’ Roadrunner Choir; Hoby Wilhelm, IWES cross country intramurals; Lori Williams, IWES tutor/volleyball intramurals; Wendy Woodward, HHS general tutorial; Theresa Yazzie, IWES tutor/volleyball intramurals. * Approved volunteers Ryan Attakai, HJHS Afterschool Running Club; Abrian Dickson, HHS boys basketball; Anthony Dixon, SPED Special Olympics coach; Holly Hill, HHS soccer; Colleen Hubbard, HHS volleyball; Lucinda Kinlicheenie, volleyball Game help; Deveney McGee, HHS Show Choir choreographer; Martin Roes, HHS assistant football coach; Christopher White, IWES intramurals; Nicole Young, HHS/HJHS softball. * Approved professional leave for Dawna Bitsoie, Administrators Intro to Teaching Strategies Gold Sept. 21-24, at an estimated cost of $200; Sarah Meeks, Nathan Adams and Kyle Gardner, White Mountain Music Teacher Meeting Aug. 11, at an estimated cost of use of a school vehicle; Lori Williams, Athletic Directors Meeting, Winslow no cost to district; Cheryl Carlson, Virtual Advisor Boot Camp FCCLA, Aug. 27, cost to district is substitute teacher; Jason Foutz, and David Smith, Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) Training, Snowflake at an estimated cost of use of a school vehicle; Charles Haussman, NAVIT Directors Meeting, Aug. 18, Taylor, at an estimated cost of use of a school vehicle; Charles Haussman, NAVIT Local Directors, and ADE Career and Technical Education Administrators meeting, Sept. 14-15, at a cost to the district of $192; Mary Mondragon, Teaching Strategies Gold (online), cost to district is $200; Joel Daniels and Jerald Nez, AISES National Conference, Phoenix, at an estimated cost of use of a school vehicle; Sherra Dunsmore, STARS/Autism Training, online, Sept. 9-10, no cost to district; Jeremy Madison, PLC Monitoring, Oct. 1, Snowflake, at an estimated cost of use of a school vehicle; Kamron Reidhead, NAVIT Monitoring Training, Sept. 17, Snowflake, at an estimated cost of use of a school vehicle. * Approved expense and revolving vouchers totaling $538,993. * Approved payroll and expense vouchers totaling nearly $1.2 million. * Approved personnel pay for Danelle Garner and Andrea Luna, each for $500 for Hulet Professional Development; Hughey Jayme, $500 for Park Professional Development; Ray Ann Terry, $1,000 for IWES Moving Reimbursement; Terri Dehaan and Mandi Chee, $400 for IWES Professional Development; $748.72 for Title II Foundations Professional Development; $385 for SPED liaison training; $2,100 for Transportation Driver Attendance Incentive August 2021; $26,381 for Class Size Differential Stipend. * Approved fundraisers for red card sales for HHS football for estimated earnings of $2,500; online apparel sale for HHS football for estimated earnings of $1,500; cookie sales for HHS volleyball for estimated earnings of $3,400; sell spirit pom poms for HHS band for estimated earnings of $200; 7th Annual Painted Desert Marching Band Festival for HHS band for estimated earnings of $500; Holbrook Roadrunner fanny pack sales for HHS band for estimated earnings of $350; T-shirt sales for HHS spiritline for estimated earnings of $150-$400; breast cancer awareness shirt sales for HHS spiritline for estimated earnings of $250-$500; Kickball tournament/field day for HHS spiritline for estimated earnings of $1,800; and Itty Bitty cheerleading clinic for HHS spiritline for estimated earnings of $750-$1,125. * Approved donations from C. Jane Baughman Estate, donated $48,750 for bike program to Indian Wells Elementary School; The Thunderbirds Foundation, donated $1,000 to Holbrook High School Golf team; Rob and Jennifer Edwards, donated school supplies to Hulet Elementary School; Peggy Reid, awarded $500 from the Arizona Public Service Supply My Classroom Giveaway; Valarie Nelson, donated handmade masks to Indian Wells Elementary School. * Approved the adoption of various policies as recommended by the Arizona Department of Education with a full listing available at the district office.
