By Linda Kor The Joseph City Unified School District Governing School Board met last week and approved Daryl Mosier to be hired as the new principal for Joseph City Elementary School. Mosier went through three screening interviews and a final interview before being recommended. As part of the hiring process a committee of four people, two of which were parents provided input in addition to the administrative interviews. Mosier has served 31 years with the school district as a teacher. It was noted that there were five applicants for the position. Superintendent Bryan Fields presented the board with research showing the JCUSD’s wages are among the lowest in the region. The research showed eight other schools in the area and their starting wages. Although the names of the school districts were not included, they were within Navajo County with the exception of one district from Gila County. The starting wages in the other districts showed starting wages for elementary school principal ranging from $59,100 to $76,674, with JCUSD wages starting at $55,682. High school principal wages ranged from $72,093 to $93,526, with JCUSD wages starting at $$63,060. Tech coordinator wages ranged from $40,524 to $67,581, with JCUSD wages starting at $46,481. And the maintenance coordinator wages ranged from $45,000 to $50,000 from three districts reporting those wages, with JCUSD wages starting at $42,897. The recommended increase was $4,500 for each position but Board Member Andrew Bushman suggested that the board approve a $4,000 increase with a 3% wage increase for all other employees. “The last board meeting we voted and passed to give a $4,000 bonus and a 3% for administration and everything else. So this one we’re saying let’s give the $4,000 there, so I say let’s reverse it and give $4,000 plus 3%.” Fields clarified that his recommendation was just for those four positions, noting that an across-the-board increase would impact the budget more than planned. He noted that the research he conducted was to make certain that the district was able to remain competitive with its starting salaries compared to other rural districts for those positions. “When I looked at the districts, some very comparable in size and some a bit bigger, when you go to hire a new principal… it makes sense to so that it’s in tune with everyone else. Spending any more would put us basically in the red,” stated Fields. It was noted that other employees already received a base adjustment and an increase and that these increases would be for the positions, regardless of the individuals filling those positions. Fields reminded the board that salaries would have to be able to be sustained year in and year out and that this item was just to increase the starting wage for those four positions. The board moved to increase the starting wages of those four positions by $4,000 with a request to add to the next agenda a discussion on an additional wage increase for staff once the budget was reviewed. That motion was approved by Karsten Flake, Dayton Flake and Andrew Bushman, with Rhonda Roberson voting against. Board President Eldon Larson was not present for the meeting. It was noted that the pool is open and swim hours beginning May 24 are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday with evening swim to be determined. Swim team will start at 8 a.m. beginning Monday, May 24. The fee is $25 per month. Practices will be Monday through Thursday. Swimming lessons will have placement testing this Saturday, May 22. Testing will start at 9 a.m. until 12 noon. Space is limited. There will be four session, with each session lasting two weeks. Each session’s fee is $35. Lessons will start at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 24. In other business, the board: * Approved the revised 2020-21 budget with no comment from the public or the board. * Approved expense vouchers for the period of April 8 through May 5 to include: General and Special Funds totaling $481,176, and Auxiliary Operations Funds totaling $3,482. * Approved an agreement with the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) for the provision of career and technical education courses included business operations, carpentry, computer maintenance, construction cosmetology, medical assisting, nursing services, welding and agriscience. * Approved the renewal of the intergovernmental agreement with Holbrook Unified School District for shared services. * Authorized the acceptance of grants and donations including $500 from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and the Navajo County Attorney’s Office for graduation night activities; clay pellets from Gary Rice for the JCHS agriculture program; a circuit set to JCHS Science program by Dennis Hunt. * Approved the delegation of procurement authority to the superintendent from May 12 through December 31 to ensure that procurement of technology related equipment, software and services may continue on a timely basis by removing a four to six week delay in receiving governing board approval for award recommendations. * Approved employee assignments for Andy Foree, Anna Smith and Jim Stradling, each as skilled seasonal workers; and Julie Mills, skilled seasonal worker/extended contract. * Approved the resignations of Valorie Brooks, instructional aide and Jennie Miller, health aide. * Approved the appointment of new personnel and changes to positions of current personnel including Jay Edwards, lifeguard; Lauren Farr, Matthew Fields, Taylor Fields, Kimberlin Johnstun, Max Mosier, Jasmine Nells, Callie Pugh, Jill Strong and Hailey Rush each as seasonal workers; Rhiannon Fish, special education secretary; Gerard Krebs, maintenance tech/bus driver; Kylie Miller, swimming pool assistant manager; Nichole Neat, elementary school library aide; and Anna Smith, instructional aide. * Reviewed the new JCHS geometry, Algebra I and Algebra II textbooks which will be available for public review at the JCUSD office for 60 days. A recommendation for adoption will be made to the Governing Board at the conclusion of the review period.