The Holbrook Unified School District (HUSD) No. 3 Governing Board met last Tuesday, and received a school facilities division and capital project update from District Project Manager Victor Padilla. In the presentation, Padilla discussed the roof replacement projects completed at Holbrook High School (HHS), Holbrook Junior High School (HJHS) and Park Elementary School. The cost of the roofing projects totaled over $2.9 million and were completely funded by the School Facilities Division (SFD), which is part of the Arizona Department of Administration (ADA) and at no cost to the district. All the projects began in 2021 and concluded in 2023, with a final walkthrough being done this month.

Other projects that complete included ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) III and Impact Aid funded projects such as artificial turf that was added in front of the George Gardner Performing Arts Center (GGPAC) and near the HJHS marquee totaling $96,152, shade structures and benches at HHS and Indian Wells Elementary School (IWES) totaling $161,279, HJHS fitness equipment totaling $90,589, and acoustic panels inside IWES gym costing $39,132.

Padilla also reviewed other developments in the district done in 2023, including new countertops installed at HHS, painting GGPAC, district wide fencing projects, new flooring, recoating and sealing of parking lots and HHS gym floor.

Future projects scheduled to start in 2024 and financed by ESSER III and Impact Aid funds include the following: HHS science lab remodel, estimated $1.3 million; HHS marquee, estimated at $50,000; HHS wrestling room floor, actual cost of $79,135; repaint HHS gym, estimated at $50,000; HHS gym floor, estimated at $257,000; and end of life evaluation of Hulet building, estimated $10,000.

Projects funded by SFD for 2024 include the following: HHS grading and drainage project, estimated at $4.5 million; HHS weatherization project, estimated at $1.2 million; HHS HVAC replacement project, estimated $2 million; HHS bleacher replacement, actual cost of $355,084; HJHS quad design, estimated at $3 million; HJHS weatherization project, estimated at $1 million; HJHS HVAC replacement, estimated at $2 million; Hulet HVAC replacement, actual cost of nearly $2.5 million; Park weatherization, actual cost of $797,000; Park HVAC replacement, estimated at $2 million; Phenix School weatherization, estimated at $300,000; Phenix School HVAC replacement, estimated at $300,000; IWES roof replacement, estimated at $1.2 million; IWES roof repair, actual cost $6,000; and IWES HVAC replacement project, estimated at $3 million.

Superintendent Dr. Robbie Koerperich presented on the School Safety Program (SSP) Grant. SSP’s purpose is to place School Resource Officers (SRO) on school grounds to help contribute to safe environments. “Some of the objectives and goals for the School Safety Grant is that staff and students feel the school is a safe environment.”

HHS, HJHS and IWES were allocated $243,497 from SSP, which will be used to pay for an SRO and school counselors.

Board member Olivia Jaquez was awarded a Silver Superior Training Accomplishments & Recognition (STAR) Award by the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA). The Silver STAR award is given to board members who have accomplished 450 continuing education unit (CEU) hours of professional development.

At the end of the regular meeting the board went into executive session after which, the board re-entered a regular session and approved the termination of an unnamed certified teacher due to unprofessional conduct.

Also, in other business, the board:

* Approved the School Year 2024-25 (SY 24-25) school calendar. The calendar includes a five-day traditional calendar with half-days on Fridays for Park, Hulet, HJHS and HHS and a four-day calendar for IWES. The calendar meets the requirements for 180 student days and 144 student days for IWES and 183 certified teacher days.

* Approved the classified student services job description.

* Approved Hillary Pruett’s resignation effective Dec. 22, 2023, and waived liquidated damage fees as per Policy GCQC Resignation of Professional Staff Members.

* Approved Lilly Parrish to complete Speech-Language Practicum Assistant (SLPA) practicum hours under the direction of Speech-Language Pathologist Karalyn Reidhead during the spring semester. Parrish is a Northern Arizona University (NAU) student studying communication sciences and disorders. Parrish will have a valid fingerprint clearance prior to beginning the practicum work.

* Approved support staff employment of Henry Spencer, district custodian increased to 40 hours per week.

* Approved support staff resignations of Rachel Benally and Mary Tsosie, both transportation bus drivers; Latanya Lano, transportation monitor; and Mckenzi Ulibarri, HHS career tech advisor.

*Approved the support staff retirement of Lori Reynolds, Hulet/Daycare.

* Approved extra duty for Abrian Dickson, IWES game official; Jerald Nez, HJHS sports official; and Daniel Orton, HJHS “white fleet” driver.

* Approved volunteer Hunter Byron, HHS athletics game help.

* Approved professional leave for Callie Jensen, senior movie trip to the Roxy Theater, cost to the district is use of a school vehicle; Julie Fields, 2024 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) conference, cost to the district $1,162; Ashley Mitchell and D. Benson Wallace, performance matters: introduction to item writing, cost to the district $380; Jeff Strong, Northland Pioneer College (NPC) convention; and Cheryl Carlson, NPC dual enrollment training.

* Approved expense and revolving vouchers totaling nearly $560,000.

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

* Approved personnel pay for Judy Spencer, insurance buyout, $1,500; employee sick bank leave, $13,269; and December “white fleet” stipend, $360.

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