Two finalists selected for consideration for HUSD superintendent

HUSD and the Arizona School Administrators (ASA) Association have concluded the application process to find Dr. Robbie Koerperich’s replacement after his impending retirement at the end of this school year. The board approved Dr. Mark Joraanstad from the (ASA) to present feedback from the superintendent search survey as well as next steps.

Dr. Joraanstad stated the survey had 149 participants, adding, “Of those 149 people, 52 were certified Holbrook Unified School District staff, and 23 of them were classified. So about 30% of the total HUSD staff responded to the survey. Eighty-five parents responded, which is a pretty good number of parents, and that was over half of the total responses. Seven community members without students in the district, and a couple students responded, and there were four others, a coach and Holbrook alumni.”

Dr. Joraanstad concluded that the top three qualities surveyors wanted for a superintendent were communication and transparency, a student-centered approach, and teacher and staff development and support. Participants were also asked to list the school district’s strengths, to which 97 responded.

“Many people talked about the district’s cultural diversity, the strong community relationships, and this includes collaboration with Native American communities and fostering inclusivity.” Dedicated staff, fiscal responsibility and supporting students were also highly noted. Participants were also asked about challenges to the district, of which 98 responded, with the most common responses being declining enrollment, and staff recruitment and retention.

“They’re looking for a superintendent who will approach and strengthen family involvement, especially for families in remote areas. Plans to improve communication and ideas for expanding programs and services to support more students and family, including summer programs, several mentions of summer programs, and partnerships with local organizations,” explained Dr. Joraanstad.

He then moved on to the search timeline. Since applications and preliminary screenings have concluded, the board will convene for a special meeting and receive a summary of the eight qualified applicants Jan. 14.

The board has since selected two final applicants for consideration. Those include, Eric Evans, the current superintendent of Williams Unified School District and Michael Gard, the current transportation director at Phoenix Union High School District.

A community forum to meet the applicants will be held beginning at 4 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 23, at the HUSD offices, located at 1000 N. 8th Ave. The board will then host in-person interviews on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

The board also provided authorization to approve the Superintendent Dr. Koerperich, or his designee, to formally explore possibilities for a joint-use facility partnership between Holbrook, Navajo County, HUSD and Northland Pioneer College. This includes engaging in discussions with all entities to determine preliminary steps for exploration of a joint-use facility. No formal actions will be taken before submitting them to the governing board for formal actions.

Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) Superintendent Matt Weber presented information pertaining to the district’s current NAVIT programs. Weber touched on the benefits of Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs provided by NAVIT, including marketable skills for students and professional development for teachers. He also highlighted the new programs offered, stating “Behavioral health is one of the newer ones, but the newest one is automotive.”

In new business, the board:

* Approved the School Year (SY) 2026-27 school calendar and the four-day calendar for Indian Wells Elementary School.

* Approved Deanna Woody for practicum work at Hulet Elementary School during the spring semester.

* Approved Katy Brown to complete social internship hours at HJHS during the second semester of this school year. Brown will be supervised by the current part-time counselor Steve Dana.

* Approved the Computer Specialist II job description.

* Approved the K-12 Speech Pathologist Assistant evaluation tool to be used for evaluations this school year.

* Approved Title I Comparability Administrative Procedure. Title I comparability is required to ensure federal funds are not supplanting state funding, as well as, ensuring comparability among Title I schools, including staffing ratios and per pupil expenditures.

* Approved the revised Substitute Salary Placement Schedule.

* Approved Indian Wells Elementary School teacher Steve Redmond’s resignation effective March 6 and assessed liquidated damages as per Policy GCQC Resignation of Professional Staff Members.

*Approved the classified resignation of Jace Allison, Computer Services specialist; Kassandra Grabowski, Hulet Health Assistant; and Hanna Yazzie, IWES Secretary.

* Approved the classified employment of Nicole Carroll, special needs assistant, reduction to 35 hours per week; Michael Gardner, substitute custodian; Lucinda James, custodian; Jessica John and Tonya Vrbas, January-June payroll operational training, additional $3 per hour; and minimum wage staff increases.

* Approved the certified employment of Kelsey Ramsay, position change from special needs assistant to speech-language pathology assistant; and Nichole Young, ESI substitute.

* Approved extra duty for Gishie Arviso, HJHS, AIA sports official; Ashley Attakai, HJHS, game help; Yolanda Attakai, Gypsi Gover and Cornelia Iashie, all IWES game help; Abrian Dickson, HJHS, non-AIA sports official; Kaylene Bitsilly, Derek Bitsilly, Rico Espitia and Wayne Silvers, all winter break workers; and winter break 2025 workers.

* Approved volunteers MacArthur Chee, HJHS girls basketball coach; Shawn Layden, Park Elementary School classroom volunteer; Jordan Majeed, HJHS basketball coach; Greg G. Chavez, Brandon Newcomb and Ryan Ulibarri, all HJHS AIA sports officials; and Artie Yazzie, HJHS non-AIA sports official.

* Approved professional leave for Cassie Gonzales, Arizona Music Educators Association, Mesa, Jan. 30-31, cost to the district is use of a distinct vehicle; Charles Haussman, NAVIT directors meeting, Snowflake, Jan. 12; Gabriel Nells, athletic directors meeting, Winslow, Jan. 12, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Conner Prestwich, technical skills assessment, Glendale, Jan. 27, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Conner Prestwich, grading and assessment, Glendale, Feb. 10, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Conner Prestwich, Serving Exceptional Students, Glendale, March 12, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Conner Prestwich, Advanced Methods of CTE, Glendale, April 7, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Loren Silver, Winter Symposium for Educators, Scottsdale, Dec. 29-30, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Ray Ann Terry, Arizona School Counselors Association Under the Desert Sun conference, Fort McDowell, Feb. 2-3, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Cassie Gonzales and Heidi Hunsaker, Kodaly Workshop, Mesa, Jan. 10, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Clete Hargrave, Michaela Saxton and Andrea Tomlin, School Safety Conference, Flagstaff, Jan. 13, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle.

* Approved expense and revolving vouchers totaling $643,831.

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

* Approved personnel pay for Dec. 2025 white fleet driver’s stipend, $560; Personnel pay No. 15, $27,235; and Personnel pay No. 16, $4,222.

* Approved fundraisers held by IWES student council for coffee sales for staff January thru February, which is expected to earn $50; IWES student council for coffee and iced tea sale for staff March thru April, which is expected to earn $50; and IWES student council, Valentine grams presale, expected to earn $173.

* Accepted gifts/donations from the SiiHasin Bike Program, which supported 23 students with Angel Tree gifts; and Southern Baptist Church, which supported 60 students with Christmas gifts.

* Adopted policies DJE Bidding/Purchasing; EA Support Services Goals/Priority Objectives; EBAB & EBAB-R Hazardous Materials; EBBB & EBBB-R Accident Reports; EBC & EBC-R Emergencies and School Closings; ECA & ECA-R Security; ECAC & ECAC-R Vandalism and Reporting Suspected Crimes; ECB Building and Grounds Maintenance; EDB & EDB-R Maintenance and Control of Materials, Equipment and Instructional Materials; EDC Authorized Use of School-Owned Materials and Equipment; and GDBA Support Staff Salary.

* Approved consent agenda items and expense vouchers in items. Detailed information for all District expenditures may be obtained by contacting the district’s business office.