The Holbrook Unified School District (HUSD) No. 3 Governing Board met on Tuesday, Feb. 10, during which Indian Education Coordinator Bernice Gover provided an Indian education report, stating that they are once again collaborating with Heart of America to expand on its solar installation project.

The solar project began last summer with the intention to bring solar power to students’ families on the Navajo Nation in need of electricity. “Their goal is to install 50 solar panels,” stated Gover, adding they have again partnered with Winslow schools and added Joseph City schools as well. Gover encouraged families to apply, “They just need kids in school and no access to electricity.” Gover also provided a summary of the third annual Native Education Summit and a Johnson-O’Malley/Title IV funding review.

Holbrook High School American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Club President Hunter Tallsalt as well as fellow club members presented on the Purgatory Resort McDonalds Cardboard Derby competition the club will be attending on March 7, in Durango, Colo. The derby has teams make sleds out of cardboard and tape, encouraging creativity and engineering. “The basic idea is that students will be making a two-man vehicle out of average cardboard, on their own, ideas and engineering principles and will be testing it down that slope,” explained Tallsalt.

AISES students will also tour the Fort Lewis College in Durango during their visit. The board approved the club’s out of state travel for the event.

During public comments from the Indian community regarding Policy IHBJ, it was asked how Holbrook High School calculates its graduation rate. Superintendent Dr. Robbie Koerperich replied by stating that if a student enrolls in Holbrook High School their freshmen year the school tracks them, even if they go leave to attend another school or tries to and that goes into the Holbrook graduation rate.

The board reviewed what members learned while attending the School Connect conference and Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) BOLTS training.

In other business, the board:

* Approved the 2026 Spring Power of 5 Academic Program for test preparation, graduation support and academic growth at HUSD. The Power of 5 Academic Program will focus on student success in the spring semester on state assessments, graduation rates and other student achievement indicators. The performance pay for completing the Power of 5 Academic Program will be funded through results-based funding.

* Held a first reading for policies KF, KF-RA, KF-EA, KF-RB, KF-EB and KF-EC. Policy KF pertains to community use of school facilities. Annually, the board is to approve the fee schedule and usage policy for school facility use. There was no change to the fee schedule.

* Approved to continue to offer the administrative procedure for post-retirement employment options and the changes presented.

* Approved a description for a paraprofessional trainee, which will allow paraprofessionals to assist classroom teachers, with supervision, of students while working on becoming highly qualified within 90 days to become a special education aide by passing the paraprofessional assessment. The position will be placed on the minimum wage salary placement schedule until the aide has passed the paraprofessional assessment to become highly qualified.

* Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Board of Regents for the 50 By Fall Project to increase free application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) completion rates.

* Held a first reading and final adoption for Arizona School Board Association policy advisories. Some of the policies have already undergone a first reading and adoption, while others are ready for first reading. The policy advisory pertains to support staff procedures, building management, weather related closing and other operational policies for the district.

* Approved the classified resignation of JN Martinsen, lead cafeteria worker; and Riley Meeks, Hulet/Junior High School, library assistant.

* Approved the classified retirement of Pete Tracas Jr., maintenance custodian.

* Approved the classified employment of Nichole Baker, district substitute secretary; Kayelee Chavez-Clark, Indian Wells Elementary School secretary; Shauna DoBell, Hulet Elementary health assistant; Marie Jackson, cafeteria worker; Laura Kohler, special needs assistant, transfer from Park Elementary to HJHS; Lidia Ponce, substitute cafeteria worker; Bryce Russell, Kendrick Taylor and Rylee Coronado, all cafeteria student workers; and Gerlie Stahl, lead cafeteria worker.

* Approved the certified resignation of Cassandra Gonzales, Park Elementary/IWES music teacher.

* Approved extra duty for Stephanie Charley, HJHS white fleet driver; and Arletta Nez, HHS head track coach.

* Approved volunteers Ryan Attakai, HHS assistant track coach; Gerard Barela, HHS golf coach; Cheryle Castillo, Xyrus Castillo, John Hatch, Ramie Hatch, Galen Knight, Shannon Knight, Michael Meeks and Chantell Slade, all HHS band/Fusion tour 2026 chaperones; Jose Quezada, HJHS boys soccer coach; and Craig Remos, HHS baseball.

* Approved professional leave for Abrian Dickson, bridging proficiency in classroom management, Glendale, Feb. 24, cost to the district is $40 and use of a district vehicle; Abrian Dickson, Effective Demonstrations, Glendale, Feb. 26, cost to the district is $40 and use of a district vehicle; Kyle Gardner, AI summit, Agua Fria, Feb. 11, cost to the district is $300 and use of a district vehicle; Charles Haussman, midwinter leadership conference, Prescott, Feb. 4-5, cost to the district is $236 and use of a district vehicle; Ray McLaws, school nutrition industry & SNAAZ professional growth, Flagstaff, April 30 – May 2, cost to the district is $849 and use of a district vehicle; Margarita Mike, 2026 ASBA BOLTS Workshop, Flagstaff, Jan. 30, cost to the district is $232 and use of a district vehicle; Shelly Nez, Third Annual Native Summit, Indian Wells, Jan. 30, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Steve Redmon, officiate girls and boys basketball tournament, Dilcon and Seba Dalkai, Feb. 5-6; Ciara Analla, Peggy Reid, Monica Sanchez and Benita Smith, Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling training, Flagstaff, Feb. 7, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Erik Carlson, Clete Hargrave, Jamie Justman, Josh Raisor and David Wallace, ninth grade success showcase, Phoenix, Jan. 21-22, cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Alfred Clark, Robert Koerperich and Linda Yazzie, school connect, Phoenix, Jan. 26-27, cost to the district is $450 and use of a district vehicle; and Anne Lang and Tonya Vrbas, User Group Meeting Human Resources and Payroll, Tucson, March 4-5, cost to the district is $300 and use of a district vehicle.

* Approved expense and revolving vouchers totaling $406,374.

* Approved payroll and expense vouchers totaling nearly $1 million.

* Approved Personnel pay No. 17, $97,964; Personnel pay No. 18, $10,154; and Personnel pay #No. 8.1, $197,850.

* Approved fundraisers held by the HHS Golf Club for a digital fundraiser, Feb. 11-May 12, expected to earn $2,000; IWES student council for shirt and sweater sales, Feb. 17 – March 5, expected earnings of $1,465; IWES student council for bunny grams, March 23-April 2, expected earnings of $151; and HHS softball for beef jerky sales, expected earnings of $11,000.

* Accepted a music grant from the Peter R. Marsh Foundation in the amount of $1,250 for HJHS.

* Approved consent agenda items and expense vouchers. 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.