The Winslow Unified School District Governing Board opened its recent meeting with heavy hearts, addressing leadership changes at Winslow Junior High School following the recent passing of Principal Deb Lopez. Although there was no official statement on how she passed, Lopez fought a battle against cancer, something she faced publicly for two years while continuing to lead Winslow Junior High. She underwent treatment while staying engaged with her school, attending events, supporting staff and advocating for students. Her openness about her illness brought the community closer to her, inspiring many to rally behind her. In her memory, the family requested donations to the American Cancer Society in place of flowers, turning her struggle into an opportunity to help others facing the same disease.
“She fought for her life and she fought for those students. She loved the junior high. She has always loved the junior high,” Board President Debbie Martinez said. She thanked all the staff who stepped up during the trying times to make sure that the student needs were being met and that the first week of school went smoothly. Martinez said that Lopez had confidence in her team and wouldn’t be surprised if the team was able to step up in her absence. Board members and administrators echoed those sentiments as well and reflected on the loss of one of their fellow administrators.
The board approved appointing Assistant Principal Travis Dooley as interim principal and teacher Alicia Hill as interim assistant principal for the remainder of the year. The principal position will be posted immediately, while the assistant principal role will be opened in March. “Thank you for supporting them,” a board member said to those in attendance. “I’m pretty sure that you’ll do that for the rest of the school year.”
Earlier in the evening, the board convened a short public hearing to review the first revision of the fiscal year budget. The revision was needed because the state had not yet approved budget forms when the original budget was adopted and adjustments were required to meet state maintenance of effort requirements. Business Manager Casey Baca said this was necessary to bring the district into compliance and updated the estimated carry-forward to $2.9 million to reflect final June expenditures and July carry-forward amounts. The budget discussion was informational only and did not require board action.
During the regular meeting, the board held a first reading of six new policy advisories. The updates include renaming the “school resource officer” position to “school safety officer” and requiring a safety plan and assessment every five years, setting new guidelines for requesting staffing information from the Arizona Department of Education, requiring an outside review of high school graduation requirement assessments, providing parents with emergency response training information upon request, updating terminology for epinephrine delivery devices and adding identification requirements for Department of Child Safety caseworkers visiting schools.
Board members also held a first reading on a previously combined vacation policy for professional and support staff that the Arizona School Boards Association requested be split into two separate policies. No action was taken as this was the first reading and a final adoption is expected at the meeting next week.
Also, during the meeting, the board:
* Approved the hiring of Betty Clark, Shyanne Vargas and Renee White-Alcott as substitutes, and Aison Gueco as a special education teacher.
*Approved the rescission of contract of Alan Perkins, for elementary school music teacher.
* Approved Reese Chatwin as swim head coach and Cheyne Lowry as assistant coach, Alicia Vigil-O’haco as seventh grade softball coach and Linsey Williams as spiritline assistant coach.
* Approved the following individuals for extra duty pay: Jordan Payne, football varsity head coach; Devon Sawyer and Carlos Quezada, football varsity assistant coaches; Clint Weishan, football junior varsity head coach; Avery Smith, football junior varsity assistant coach; Julie Thomas, volleyball varsity head coach; Robina Villanueva, volleyball junior varsity head coach; Jennifer Yazzie, volleyball freshman head coach; Janeen Barton, cross country head coach; Wilbert Barton, cross country assistant coach; Andrew McDonald, boys soccer head coach; Josue Barrios, girls soccer head coach; Bailey Hardy, girls soccer assistant coach; Tamry Wright, spiritline head coach; Katrina Hernandez and Alexa Gilbert, spiritline assistant coaches; Tyler Allen, marching band head sponsor; Lehauli Serious, football head coach; Steven Serious and Jackie Williams, football assistant coaches; Chloe Wilcox, softball eighth grade head coach; Leroy Thomas cross country boys head coach; Sheninkwa Cly, cross country girls head coach; Sabrina Vasquez, spiritline head coach; Travis Dooley, assistant principal for extra administrative duties; Drew Luzier, student council co-sponsor; Jordan Sawyer, student council co-sponsor; Alisha Jones, honor society sponsor; Addie James, Book Club sponsor; Darren Mitchell, Yearbook Club sponsor.
