The Winslow School District Governing Board heard two excellent presentations last week, as well as conducting normal business.
The first presentation was under old business from the Magnet School Committee. The second was under reports and was about a positive behavior rewards program at Washington Elementary School.
Assistant Superintendent Lance Heister led the report by the Magnet School Committee report, with assistance from committee member Todd Roth, teacher Pam VanArsdale and Special Education Director Peggy Elrod. There were three committees working on the issue. There were committees of both teachers and administrators. A committee of community persons and parents included Roth, Fred Harris, Kevin Berg, Ricky Jackson and Corie Green.
The program was said to be coming at a good time, given the budget problems and the need for new options. It will consist of implementing technology, and give both students and parents more choices and control of their educational experience.
Heister said that the program would have a longtime advantage of giving students a basis of becoming lifelong learners.
The program will start with the third grade as the primary group, and the fourth, fifth and sixth grade programs as intermediate. It will start at Bonnie Brennan School, but will free up room at the other schools.
There will be a meeting on the program at 7 o’clock tonight (April 13) at the Winslow High School Auditorium. Parents who are interested in enrolling their children in the program are urged to attend.
Heister said that the traditional classroom model works well for most students, and many may be better to remain in that setting. Enrollees in the Magnet School program will be placed there on a first come, first served basis.
The Washington School program was presented by Principal John Summerville and five teachers. The teachers were enthusiastic about the program and said the students were as well. It emphasizes rewarding good behavior and maintaining a positive attitude. It also stresses the importance of giving students the chance to start fresh the next day and not be harmed by one bad experience.
Navajo County Education Superintendent Linda Morrow was present at the meeting, and congratulated the board members on the difficult and thankless service they were doing in working to improve education at a time in which a massive destruction of education is happening. She had many positive comments for the board and the school system.
In other action April 6, the board:
* Approved the hiring of Aimee Tafoya as an alternate classroom aide at WHS, and the transfer of Lauren Klein as an elementary teacher at Jefferson School. The resignation or retirement of Valerie Schuetta as a kindergarten teacher was accepted effective May 26.
* Accepted the donation of $107 for Washington School from Arizona Restaurant Systems Inc. for Sonic Night.
* Approved an increase in the price of school lunches in order to comply with federal regulations. The increase will be slight to $2.50 WHS and Winslow Junior High School, and to $2.25 in elementary schools.
* Approved a request from the administration to attempt to secure a free lunch status for all students in the district.
During board member comments, Marian Scheid was the first to say she had enjoyed the meeting and especially the special presentations. She was joined in that praise by the other members.
Superintendent Doug Watson thanked both groups for the presentations, and noted that most of the changes in the state budget had been anticipated, but that there would be a $164,000 cut from the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) program, which was not expected, but would have to be dealt with.
