School started Aug. 5 in the Snowflake Unified School District, and according to Superintendent Hollis Merrell, it brought good news in the form of increased enrollment.

“The numbers are up a couple of hundred students,” he said, “but I say that cautiously,” noting that secretaries will be counting students in the near future.

“I’m appreciative of the employees who worked very hard to make things happen,” Merrell told members of the governing board at their Aug. 13 meeting.

Merrell noted that a lot goes into getting ready for school to start, and he appreciated teachers and staff members getting things ready for the students. “I can’t say enough about our crews that worked during the summer,” he said.

A school cleanup will be held at 6 o’clock tonight (Aug. 19). Everyone is asked to go to the school of their choice and help with the cleanup.

Merrell reported that Steve Reidhead of Tri Star has torn out a bunch of trees across from Taylor Elementary School. The district is working with the Town of Taylor to create a parking lot and easement across from the school that will make conditions much better for student pick up.

“We appreciate the city,” said Merrell, noting they also hope to get help on the project from Navajo County.

Merrell introduced new teachers Margaret Scott, Jeff Brenton and Jennifer Plummer. “We are very excited about our new teachers,” he said.

In other business Aug. 13, the board:

* Approved Nancy Moses-Cobb of High Desert Therapy to provide occupational therapy services for the 2015-16 school year.

* Approved the Snowflake High School Handbook.

Board member Carol Palmer said that she has received comments from some parents who have issues with the dress code not being handled at times, explaining some parents felt the boys were being distracted by what the girls have been wearing.

Merrell encouraged her to have parents contact his office, but noted, “You’ll have every range on that.”

* Held the first reading of policy revisions recommended by the Arizona School Boards Association.

Merrell explained that the changes reflect those new laws. “Typically, my policy is not to adopt policy that is not required by the law,” he said.

He asked the board members to read through the changes and bring any questions or comments they have to the next meeting when the second reading will be held.

Due to a conflict with a law conference that Merrell will attend, the September board meeting was rescheduled to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15.