The Winslow Unified School District governing board met last week and heard a presentation from World Homes Initiative (WHI), a group of innovators and developers looking to bring housing and manufacturing into Winslow.
Roland Standich, president of contributing partner to World Homes Initiative, Metamind addressed the board. He explained the importance of bringing technology and science education as well as arts and music in to Winslow schools.
He said, “We would like to know what we can bring to your city to help you reach your vision. Our overall mission is to champion that vision and bring resources and outside perspective to get there. We are trying to create a future filled with hope, create a city that is sustainable and has something to offer students after they graduate. This means building adaptability and preparing students for the future.”
Part of that, according to Stanich, is investing resources in to the Winslow Unified School District at no cost to the district to keep students interested in education.
He continued, “In terms of building, we can help fund the creation of new schools, maybe we could buy buses for transportation, we could help to build campuses that are multigenerational.”
The group is looking to bring jobs and housing in to the town and are also interested in making sure the students of the district have the tools they need to fill those jobs as they leave high school. As Standich explained, “A career track is something we could help create by making sure the students have the training in new technology, manufacturing and logistics.”
WHI, is also interested in assisting students and teachers in pursuing post-secondary education, including trade schools and junior colleges.
This year’s homecoming court was also announced. Queen candidates include Sofia Chacon, Alysa Lesperance, Sasha Medina-Quintana, Susana Sanchez-Rosales and April White. King candidates are Cody Fisher, Keaton Kislingbury, Bryan Larsen, Seth Matrecito and Parker Stubblefield.
The winners will be crowned during the homecoming assembly which begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, in the Don Petranovich Gym at Winslow High School, located at 600 E. Cherry St.
The Bulldog football team will face Monument Valley in the homecoming match at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, at Emil Nasser Stadium.
In other business, the governing board:
* Ratified vouchers in a routine procedure that allows the board to submit vouchers to the County Superintendent between meetings.
* Accepted donations of $878 to Eric Petranovich for iPads for Winslow Junior High School special needs classrooms, $636 to Christa Knox for gel printing materials for the WJHS art students and school supplies, sports equipment and water bottles from Mortenson Construction.
* Approved the hiring of Rita Yazzie as a WHS high needs teacher upon certification; Marguerta Gally, bus driver; Alyson Puhuhefevaya, WHS bookkeeper; Kala Fischer, paraprofessional; Ruby Carson after employment by ESI (Educational Services, Inc.) for one year; and Sarah Breeze, Shanae Canales, Zane Corum, Breana Juarez, Ciera Vela and Chad Sullivan, emergency substitute teachers.
* Accepted the resignation of Alysia Moreno, a paraprofessional, effective Sept. 16.
* Approved extra duty stipends for WHS employees Tyler Allen, band and orchestra; Natasha Shelton, yearbook; Michelle Jones, National Honor Society; Joanna Venegas, student council; and Bryan Lang, performing arts center sound/lights/stage management.
* Approved extra duty stipends for WJHS employees Sabrina Vasquez, student council; Alisha Jones, National Honor Society; and Claire Seel, yearbook.
* Approved Alisha Echoles as the seventh grade softball coach.
* Approved the fundraising for the following student activities for WHS: Anime Club, Band Club, Baseball Club, Class of 2026, Cross Country Club, FFA (Future Farmers of America), Football Club, WHS for Change, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), Law and Public Safety Club, National Honor Society, Popcorn Club; Spiritline, Volleyball Club; S Club, Student Council, Class of 2024; and WJHS Art Club and Student Council.
* Heard a first reading of Arizona School Board Association policies including policies that prohibit face coverings and COVID vaccinations being required and a new policy that mandates each school day begin with a one-minute moment of silence. Thirty-seven policies were read but no action was taken as they were first readings. The policies will come back to the governing board for approval at a later date.
* Approved an intergovernmental agreement between the WUSD and Vail Unified School District in a routine procedure that allows Winslow schools to use Vail’s Beyond Textbooks curriculum.
* Approved a resolution in support of Legendary Teacher Day on Sept. 23. The day recognizes teachers who have impacted students.
* Heard the annual report on existing bonds and debts from District Business Manager Casey Hancock. Winslow has one existing bond which is set to be repaid within the next two years.
* Approved changes to the existing school calendar to include Feb. 23 and 24 as early release days for family conferences.
* Approved Waste Management as the sole source provider for waste pickup.
I Heard a report from Superintendent Connie Gover who mentioned that there were no active COVID cases in the district.
The next meeting of the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5 in the board meeting room, located at 800 N. Apache Ave.
