During last week’s meeting of the Holbrook Unified School District Governing Board Superintendent Dr. Robbie Koerperich informed the board regarding the recent school safety plan meeting held with the Holbrook Police Department and Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.

Koerperich explained that the district uses what is called a Safe Plan, which is the concept of setting, acting and following up on expectations. “Then we evaluate those expectations. Are we doing enough? How did we do on our drill? And then the evaluation process. It’s just something to think about on what’s our philosophy for keeping our kids and staff safe.”

He stated that some of the current strategies are monthly fire drills, lock down drills, “hit the deck” drills and shelter in place drills. Each school also has regular safety meetings with law enforcement and the fire department. The plan includes rules for response from the various parties that would be involved. “We have on-sight command posts, student care, student aid, student requests like when a parent comes to requests a child, who is going to go get the child and bring them back, student release, of course media is going to be a major player and always is in an emergency situation.” There are also off-sight locations for evacuation, and different responses for different levels of circumstances.

“We also have a very robust camera system. Law enforcement is always very impressed with our camera system,” Koerperich noted. The schools have buzz-in and scan security systems at the main entrance but the open campus policy at the high school and junior high make single point entry a challenge. Additional fencing will be installed to provide some barrier protection.

“We also have the raid notification system, which is our phone app that alerts anything that’s happening like active shooter, fire or medical. All you have to do is push that button and it automatically sends information to 911 and it also gives you an opportunity to update your staff through a messaging system,” explained Koerperich.

Regarding mental and social systems, the district also has plans. “I believe we have a very strong mentoring program, which I think is very pro-active in helping to prevent some of the very at-risk students we have in our student population.

Students and staff are also encouraged to “see something, say something.” “This has even worked in our school system last year where kids will say something if they see something and we may be diverting some tragedy by doing that,” stated Koerperich.

The board also heard from Director of Buildings and Grounds Victor Padilla regarding the large number of the improvements done at the school over the summer including new flooring, air conditioning improvements, painting, polishing floors, replacing ceiling tiles and more in preparation for the coming school year. Roofing repairs are being completed with repairs to Indian Wells Elementary School coming up.

In other business, the board:

* Held a public hearing for the 2022-23 budget with no response.

* Adopted the 2022-23 budget.

* Held a public hearing on the proposed Holbrook High School Instructional Time Model (ITM) for SY 22-23.

* Approved the online science curriculum, Mystery Science for Park, Hulet and Indian Wells elementary schools.

* Approved school safety plans for SY 22-23.

* Approved the SY 22-23 Employee Handbook.

* Approved the HUSD Business Continuity Plan for SY 22-23.

* Approve the request to hire paraprofessionals and/or health aides throughout the school year, as needed, when these positions are required by a student’s Individual Education Plan.

* Approved Dale Larsen’s contract as the Holbrook High School welding teacher as presented.

* Approved Mara Cassady to complete her Speech and Language Pathology Assistant practicum in the Holbrook School District during the 2022- 2023 school year.

* Approved the payment of $500 for Indian Gaming retention stipends to all certified teachers returning for the 2022-2023 school year.

* Approved $1,500 stipends and 50 cent per hour increase for returning HUSD staff as outlined in the ESSER III grant.

* Approved the Employee Retention Administrative Procedure, which outlines the opportunity for employees to earn retention pay as outlined in the administrative procedure.

* Approved the HUSD Technology Device Protection Plan to assist with replacement and repair of technology throughout HUSD.

* Approved SPARK physical education curriculum for a 60-day review.

* Approved the Food Service Permanent Service Agreement between the HUSD and the Arizona Department of Education.

* Approved the 100-Day In-Person Grant provided by the Arizona Governor’s Office for Holbrook Junior High School.

* Approved the Haskell Indian Nation University Partnership Agreement with HUSD.

* Approved the support staff employment of Alshina Nez, HHS receptionist.

* Approved the support staff resignation of Alshina Nez, HHS aide.

* Approved the certified employment of Jeri McKinnon, Hulet long term substitute; and James Self, HHS science.

* Approved extra duty for Jacob Baker, custodial supervisor; Dawna Bitsoie, IWES First Things First coordinator; Donna Campbell, HHS 10 days beyond contract; Paul Demuth, HHS 20 days beyond contract; Kevin Fosburgh, Park/Hulet extra administrative duties; Ryan Fraley, Computer Services assessment coordinator; Cheri Grau, HJHS 60 days beyond contract,

teacher contract, custodial supervisor; Tonya Greasewood, special education extra duty; Charles Haussman, HHS custodial supervisor, testing coordinator; Tracy Johnson, HJHS extra duties student services; Jesus Luna-Almendariz, custodial supervisor; Ray McLaws, food service summer food program; Linda McMahon, HHS/SPED Special Olympics coach; Jeffrey Meeks, SPED oversee preschool, $6,000 prorated for 100 days; Sally O’Dell, purchasing, mentoring 22-23; Greg Perkins, HHS 10 days beyond contract, athletic director; Michaela Saxton, computer services tech cadre, Facebook; Cary Simpson, HHS/SPED Special Olympics coach; Andrea Tomlin, IWES custodial supervisor; Nichole Tow, Park/Hulet 10 days beyond contract; Shawn Tow, transportation warehouse supervisor; and Nicole Warner, HHS 20 days beyond contract.

* Approved volunteers Randall Begay, HJHS football.

* Approved professional leave for Michael Burks, Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference, Chicago, Ill., June 27 – July 2, at a cost to the district of $2,251.21; Jeremy Madison, Arizona Career Technology Education Summer Conference (CTE), Tucson, July 17-20 at a cost to the District of $1,028.63; Charles Haussman, Arizona CTE Summer Conference, Tucson, July 16-18, at a cost to the district of $1,179.75; Joel Daniels, Arizona CTE Summer Conference, Tucson, July 15-20, at a cost to the district. of $1,443.18; Jason Foutz, Arizona CTE Summer Conference, Tucson, July 14-20, at a cost to the district of $1,427.27; David Smith, Arizona CTE Summer Conference, Tucson, July 14-20, at a cost to the district of $1,616.15; Cheryl Carlson, Arizona CTE Summer Conference, Tucson, July 15-20, at a cost to the district of $1,492.30; Michael Burks, Arizona CTE Summer Conference, Tucson, July 15-20, at a cost to the district of $1,138.18; and Jeff Meeks, Arizona Department of Education Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Conference, Phoenix, Sept. 7-9, at a cost to the district of $980.

* Approved expense and revolving fund vouchers totaling $799,131.

* Approved payroll and expense vouchers totaling under $2.8 million.

*Approved personnel pay for Joel Daniels, HHS Action Research in the amount of $4,000; and summer school, tutorial, Power of 5 and non-certified teacher tutorial and clubs in the amount of $180,050.

* Approved gifts and donations from the NFL Hometown Grant from Gen Youth Inc. to the HJHS for $5,000 for the 2022-2023 school year.

* Approved consent agenda items and expense vouchers.