School district implements TOP program to build youth resilience

TOP requires students to come together and complete community service events that develop a concept of the importance of togetherness and helping others, according to the presentation.

TOP will be supplemental to the health and wellness classes that take place at HJHS every Wednesday. Although the program is currently only going to be offered at the junior high school, TOP is available for grades 6-12. The program is grant funded with no cost to the district.

The board received a presentation on federal grants for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). Superintendent Dr. Robbie Koerperich provided details of the funds and their allocations, explaining the amount received from Title I and Title II funds totaled about $1.5 million, which included carryover funds in Title I due to an influx from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency funds.

Afterwards, the board approved the FY 25 federal grants, which were already approved by the Arizona Department of Education and other entities that administer the grants.

Little Colorado Medical Center (LCMC) CEO Travis Udall spoke to the board in regard to offering services to the district and surrounding community. “I talked with Coach Greg Perkins on supporting the athletics and music programs and what we can do to sponsor that. We want to create some scholarships for some kids and do the things that can help lift people up, because that’s our goal.”

Despite LCMC being in Winslow, it serves as the closest hospital in the region to the district. Udall explained his intention to build trust within the community. “The hospital has lost some of that trust over the years. I understand that; I respect that. But I also believe that we also provide an important service to this community as well. So, we have to earn that trust, work towards getting that back.” Udall further stated his willingness work with staff and the importance of collaborating.

During the meeting the board reelected Craig Stewart as board president and Linda Yazzie elected as vice president for the 2025 term beginning in January. Board Member Olivia Jaquez was honored for her 15 years of service, as it was her last meeting as a member of the board.

Following the regular meeting, the board moved into executive session to discuss the superintendent’s evaluation, after which they voted to approve.

In other business, the board:

* Approved Sing Down the Moon by Scott O’Dell for final adoption as a supplemental reading book for fourth grade.

* Approved Magic Tree House book list for final adoption for Indian Wells Elementary School for academic purposes.

* Approved Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 25) Budget Revision No. 1 to be sent to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) School Finance Division. The revision is to reflect accurate funding for Average Daily Membership (ADM), capital budget revisions, budget carryforward and weighted student count revisions due to current year funding requirements.

* Approved the School Year (SY) 2024-25 Business Continuity Plan that outlines business continuity in the matter of a disruption to business operations. This is an audit requirement, and a tabletop scenario has been designed and discussed with the HUSD leadership team addressing business continuity during a disruption of services.

* Approved Brianna Allison to attend the Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention certified instructor conference in Nashville, Tenn. July 5-12, 2025.

* Approved Barbara Williams to complete student teaching with Meghan Newton Pender in Kindergarten from Jan. 6, 2025, through March 2, 2025, and with Holly Perkins in special education from March 3, 2025, through April 27, 2025.

* Approved the Speech-Language Pathologist job description.

* Approved a sports staffing model administrative procedure that outlines coaching and volunteer staffing for each sport based on participants, need for specialty coaches and opportunities for volunteers.

* Approved an updated game officials administrative procedure as presented. The update includes an update for support staff rates per game to $35 per game for officiating junior high and elementary sports.

* Approved to enter a memorandum of understanding between HUSD and Northland Pioneer College (NPC) for capstone/student teaching placements for teacher certification and degree completion.

* Approved policy IHB-R Special Instructional Programs for first reading. The policy update outlines new requirements for a written notification of a student’s anticipated graduation date at least one year before the anticipated high school graduation date for students that have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

* Approved an emergency purchase for roof repair from Mountain Roof Repair to perform temporary repairs to the IWES roof while the district is procuring a total roof repair. The emergency purchase exceeds $10,000, requiring three quotes. Mountain Roof Repair was able to perform the work in an expedited manner.

* Approved the SY 25-26 school district calendar for Park, Hulet, HJHS, HHS and IWES.

* Approved the support staff resignation of Amelia Dennie, Park paraprofessional; Skyla McCabe, facilities substitute custodian; and Amelia Rascon, HJHS/SPED paraprofessional.

* Approved leave of absence for Barbara Williams, Jan. 3, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2025 and to return as paraprofessional March 3, 2025.

* Approved the support staff employment of Nichole Bahe, substitute custodian; Christine Joe, custodian; Patricia Moore, Hulet transfer from high needs to special needs; Heather Morgan, HHS paraprofessional, return to work after student teaching; Deldon Nez, IWES custodian, 40 to 30 hours a week; Alysia Richards, HHS transfer from receptionist to attendance clerk and increase to 40 hours per week; and Krista Smith, HHS library aide/Talon Aide, decrease hours to 37 per week.

* Approved the certified resignation of Vanessa Castillo, district substitute teacher.

* Approved the certified employment of Annie Delos Santos Jones, HHS English teacher and Debra Gibbons, district substitute teacher.

* Approved extra duty for

Beth Baloo and Alicia Jimenez, both HJHS afterschool robotics, STEM and soccer club sponsor; Meghan Carbonneau, Kyle Gardner and Jeffrey Robinson, all HHS game help; Shelby Tsaipi, HJHS game help; Madison Chappell, HHS assistant girls basketball coach; Charles Haussman, district testing coordinator; Danielle Johnson, Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) and sports driver; Courtney King, IWES game help; Dan Orton, HJHS head girls basketball coach; and Victor Padilla, HJHS Non-AIA sports official.

* Approved volunteers JoAnn DeWitt, Hulet classroom; Colleen Hubbard, HJHS assistant girls basketball coach and white fleet driver; and Artie Yazzie, HHS assistant boys basketball coach.

* Approved professional leave for Gabriel Nells, athletic directors meeting; Charles Haussman, NAVIT directors meeting; Holly Perkins, Navajo County special education teacher discovery workshop; and Katelyn Willis, Navajo County special education workshop, cost to the district is use of a vehicle.

* Approved expense and revolving vouchers totaling nearly $1.3 million.

* Approved payroll and expense vouchers totaling nearly $2.3 million.

* Approved personnel pay for Dec. 13, extra pays, $83,316; Nov. 27, extra pays, $31,646; Nov. 15, extra pays, $45,260; and November white bus driver stipend, $80.

* Approved clubs HHS National Honor Society and HJHS soccer club.

* Approved a donation from Dollar General for 100 new books to Hulet; and a grant award from Arizona Rural School Association “Grants in Place Fellows Award” in the amount of $2,500 for HJHS.

* Approved consent agenda items and expense vouchers in items. Detailed information for all District expenditures may be obtained by contacting the School District business office located at 1000 North 8th Avenue, P.O. Box 640, Holbrook, AZ 86025. Phone 1-928-524-6144.

The board held a work session Dec. 11 on district wards and Hulet/Park redesign plan. No action was taken.