The Joseph City Unified School District approved a contract for Shannon Harvilla as the new superintendent beginning in July. Harvilla comes to the district with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from West Virginia University, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University and a certificate from Superintendent Endorsement Program University of Alaska.
He served as a social studies teacher from 2012 to 2017 in Boynton Beach, Fla., as a principal and teacher at Clarks Point Alaska from 2017-2019, a principal and assistant superintendent at Bristol Bay Borough School District from 2019-2021 and superintendent at Bristol Bay Borough School District from 2024-2025.
The approved contract is for the term of July 6 to June 30, 2029. The board approved an annual base salary of $115,000 for the first year of the agreement, with an annual base salary increase equal to the average dollar increase given by the governing board to other 12-month administrators. Three percent of the annual base pay is designated as performance-based pay. In addition, the contract provides a stipend of $500 each month as a recruitment and retention stipend. In addition, a $5,000 one-time signing bonus was included in the contract as well as up to $5,000 in reimbursements for moving expenses. Harvilla will also be provided with a vehicle to use for school district business.
Also presented to the board was a summary of budget reductions for fiscal year 2027, in response to budget concerns presented at an early meeting by the state auditor. Those reductions include the elimination of teaching positions totaling $94,000, classified positions totaling $200,000, one bus route in the amount of $50,000, summer employment in the amount of $15,000, counseling reductions totaling $40,000, food services in the amount of $20,000 and in the technology department, $20,000.
The board also approved the bylaws for the Parents Supporting Wildcats (PSW), a non-profit organization. According to the bylaws, PSW’s objective is to enhance and support the education experience of students attending JCUSD, to develop a closer connection between school and home, and to improve the school environment through volunteer and financial support. Those who can become a member are parents, guardians, family members of students, and all faculty and staff.
In other business, the board:
* Approved a cooperative relationship with the PSW organization.
* Approved expense vouchers totaling $492,529 in the general and special funds, $19,133 in the auxiliary operations funds and $3,496 in the student activities fund.
* Approved the student activities fund report.
* Approved student fundraisers including a pulled pork sandwich dinner for the Class of 2028, a Navajo taco dinner for the Class of 2029 and hosting a wrestling camp for the high school wrestling team.
* Approved the renewal of contract for support staff, management team, classifies specials and selected extra duty personnel and the resignation of the following individuals: Darrel Mosier, elementary school principal; Steven Mills, business manager; Julie Fields, grant coordinator; Shelley Mills, school nurse; Kylee Morris, instructional aide; Patrick Morris, bus driver; and Kay Rush, junior high student council advisor.
* Approved Arizona School Boards Association policy advisories 961-963, 965-1046 and Policy Revision IE.
* Approved the 2025-26 Budget Revision No. 3.
*Approved for review the textbook School Environmental Science PDF version of Environmental Science Copyright© by Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
