Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) Superintendent Matt Weber reported on the current status of the institute at the Oct. 5 meeting of the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board.
Weber spoke of the history of NAVIT, which was approved by voters in 1998 as the second such organization in the state and the first in a rural area. There are 11 school districts affiliated with NAVIT, including Blue Ridge, Heber-Overgaard, Round Valley, Show Low, Snowflake, St. Johns, Holbrook, Joseph City, Winslow, Payson and Whiteriver. NAVIT works in partnership with Northland Pioneer College (NPC) so that students may gain both high school and college credit from its courses. NAVIT provides funding for high schools participating in the programs, which include instruction and training in cosmetology, nursing assistant, welding, fire science, auto technician, industrial maintenance, educational professions and heavy equipment operation.
Recent budget cuts have ceased funding for freshmen in the program, which has cost Winslow some $157,428, according to Weber. There has also been a half million dollar cut in soft capital for the programs.
In other business, the board:
* Approved the hiring of Shaunte Cleveland as a part-time classroom aide at Jefferson School and Mary Nelson as an emergency district substitute. Transfers were approved for full-time high needs special education aide Margaret Rogers from Washington School to that position at both Winslow Junior High School and Washington School, and for Jessica Fugatt from the position at those two schools to serving Washington School only.
* Approved the donations of $70 for the Winslow High School football and wrestling clubs fundraiser golf tournament from Thomas and Deanne Romo and an anonymous donor; and $76 to Washington School from Arizona Restaurant Systems for Sonic Night.
* Approved out of state trips for four employees and one other person to attend the National Indian Education Convention scheduled Oct. 26-29 in Albuquerque, N.M.; for one employee to attend the Baseball Coaches of America National Convention scheduled Dec. 1-4 in Raleigh, N.C.; and for one employee to attend the American Baseball Coaches Association National Convention scheduled Jan. 5-8 in Anaheim, Calif.
* Received self-evaluation forms from Superintendent Doug Watson, which board members must complete yearly. The forms must be turned in before Oct. 30.
* Received a review of the annual financial report from Finance Director Shirley Lomeli.
* Was advised by Watson that teacher and principal evaluations must now be 33 to 50 percent tied to student achievement.
He also noted that summer learning loss was being reviewed to determine its effect upon students.
