Cultural inclusivity leads to success for Native American students at HUSD

By looking at academic indicators, cultural identity and community partnerships, Gover’s research found strong correlations. According to her presentation, Native students are four times more likely to earn a degree in culturally supportive environments rather than in mainstream institutions. Gover applied this reasoning by creating tests involving Indigenous culture and teachers, which supported students culturally, and showed positive results.

It was noted that early Native American education in public schools was built to erase their world views, a tactic of assimilation from the boarding school era. Today’s research shows that a strong cultural identity serves as a necessary foundation for academic persistence. Gover explained that the evidence shows that Native American success requires a model that creates indigenous knowledge directly alongside western academic benchmarks.

Both Holbrook High School and Holbrook Junior High School have implemented programming with this model with immediate result demonstrating academic improvement. It was noted that HUSD is building a data-backed model for indigenous education that can be replicated for other districts to utilize.

Faculty and staff research and present on these projects as part of the district’s 301 Performance Pay Program, allowing staff to study, explore and attempt to solve problems within the district.

Indian Wells Elementary School (IWES) Principal Dr. Andrea Tomlin presented her research on peer-model professional development. “I did what I call The Teacher Academy. In our district we do a lot of professional development, and I’m always trying to figure out ways to make professional development a little bit easier access for teachers without putting too much more of a load on them.” The Teacher Academy consists of videos of fellow teachers in the district in real classroom settings to provide a highly personalized, real world learning experience.

An Indian Education report was also provided by Gover, in which she reviewed the programs 2025-26 financials. Total expenditures were $68,266, with $46,578 going to classroom supplies, $21,138 to student resources and programming, $448 to personnel and $100 to operations and admin. “We have to use money everywhere, but 95-96% of it has gone directly to students.”

Recent Holbrook High School (HHS) graduate Hunter Tallsalt was spotlighted in the presentation for his efforts with the Indian Education program and was a recipient of the Bill Michael Student Leadership Award from the National WWII Museum. According to its website, the Billy Michael Student Leadership Award is presented annually to one student from each state who demonstrates the American spirit in their community. Tallsalt was honored at their event in New Orleans.

The board also held a public hearing to receive comments regarding the proposed Adjacent Ways levy, during which no one spoke.

Public comment for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 for the HUSD proposed budget was also held, with no comments received. The total general budget is estimated to be approximately $30 million, with estimated 46% of revenue coming from federal funding, 44% from state and 10% from local funding. Following a review, the board approved the proposed budget to be posted for public review.

Following the meeting, the board entered into an executive session to discuss the School Year (SY) 2026-27 Superintendent contract. No action was taken.

In other business, the board:

* Approved the Indian Community Participation & Indian Policies and Procedure FY 2028. The board took public comment on the item, during which no one spoke.

* Approved of the governing board meeting dates for the 2026-27 school year.

* Approved all governing board members, superintendent and executive secretary to attend professional development opportunities throughout SY 2026-27.

* Approved Shelea Palmer to attend the AVID Summer Institute in Anaheim, Calif., from July 15-17 with other HJHS and HHS staff.

* Approved the HHS, HJHS, Hulet Elementary School, Indian Wells Elementary School and Park Elementary student handbooks for the 2026-27 school year.

* Approved a treatment applicator extra duty position for qualified applicators for herbicides and pesticides. The treatment applicator extra duty will be for qualified applicators to assist with weed and insect control.

* Approved the assurances required for a Project Momentum Grant, which HJHS qualified for to assist with professional development to increase academic outcomes for students with disabilities.

* Approved a student placement agreement between Northern Arizona University and the HUSD for student teacher placements at HUSD. The agreement will be in effect from Dec. 12, 2026 to Dec. 20, 2031.

* Approved an International Alliance Group (IAG) Host School Agreement to recruit highly qualified international teachers for positions that are open in the HUSD. IAG will recruit teachers, ensure visas are processed and assist with the transition to become certified teachers at HUSD.

* Approved the classified resignation of Lang Bartruff, HHS ISS monitor, effective May 29, Bartruff transferred to a resident substitute position for SY 2026/27 and the end of the temporary position for Ayla Hayden, Park Elementary School special needs assistant, effective May 22.

* Approved the classified employment of Jason Coley, HHS, academic advisor SY 2026/26; and Laurie Jones, transportation, bus driver, increase to 40 hours a week SY 2026/27.

* Approved the certified resignation of Victoria Dawson, HHS teacher, effective May 22, the certified retirement of Charles Haussman, effective June 30 and the end of contract for Dale Larson, HHS teacher, effective May 22.

* Approved the certified employment of Cindy Esquerra, HJHS music teacher SY 2026-27.

* Approved extra duty for Ashley Attakai, HHS athletics assistant volleyball coach and Dan Mulligan professional development training; Mandi Chee, IWES, volleyball assistant coach; Erica Chee, Indian Wells, KinderCamp; Zoe Daniels, Hulet, daycare setup; Abrian Dickson, HHS athletics, White Fleet driver; Patricia Fischer, food services summer worker; Anika Francis, Indian Wells, junior varsity girls cross country head coach; Gypsi Gover, IWES, tech cadre and Pee Wee Girls Cross Country Assistant Coach; LaDonna Jacket, Sharon James, Lillian Jones, Tiffany Slade and Rebecca Naranjo, all Hulet daycare setup; Cheryl Justman, Dan Mulligan professional development training; Courtney King, IWES, flag football head coach; Lisa Larson, Hulet/Park, summer library work; Allison Maxwell, Hulet/Park, summer library; Paige Murray, Park, realignment of kindergarten essential standards summer 2026; Gabriel Nells, IWES, athletic director; Sophia Nells, IWES, junior varsity boys cross country head coach; Meagan NewtonPender, Park, realignment of kindergarten essential standards summer 2026; Dan Orton, HHS, girls basketball assistant coach; Cayla Serna, HHS athletics assistant volleyball coach; Artie Yazzie, HHS athletics, White Fleet driver; Jasilyn Yazzie, IWES, Pee Wee boys cross country assistant coach; and Theresa Yazzie, Indian Wells, volleyball head coach.

* Approved volunteers Randall Begay, HHS, assistant football coach; Alaya Darling, HHS, Spiritline coach; Isabella Font and Jeff Font, both summer general volunteers; and Leo Harrington Jr., HHS, summer volunteer for girls basketball.

* Approved professional leave for Bernice Gover, Navajo Nation JOM Conference, Bernalillo, N.M. June 15-18, estimated cost to the district is $900; Lauren Maestas, 2026 Annual AASBO conference, Tucson, July 14-18, estimated cost to the district is $2,002; Shelly Nez, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Flagstaff, May 18-19; Shelly Nez, Suicide Alertness for Everyone (safeTALK), Phoenix, June 1-2, estimated cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Shelly Nez, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Phoenix, June 7-12, estimated cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Michaela Saxton, Induction & Mentoring 101, Phoenix, June 19, estimated cost to the district is $40 and use of a district vehicle.

* Approved expense and revolving fund vouchers totaling $680,981.

* Approved payroll and expense vouchers totaling nearly $2.4 million.

* Approved personnel pay No. 25 AASA/301/professional development/bus driver/NPC dual enrollment, $533,771; personnel pay No. 25.1 leave buyout, $2,850; personnel pay No. 26 and 27, addendums/professional development, $24,736; personnel pay No. 26.1, leave buyout, $27,738; and May 2026, White Fleet driver’s stipend, $160.

* Approved consent agenda items and expense vouchers items. Detailed information for all district expenditures may be obtained by contacting the school district business office located at 1000 N. 8th Ave.