HUSD approves new district boundaries based on 2020 census

In Koerperich’s presentation, he reviewed the history behind the redistricting, which highlighted the implications of the one-person one-vote rule established through a federal court decision following a complaint in 1988-89. He summarized the efforts made to ensure accurate redistricting of the wards, which included analyzing population shifts, community and tribal awareness through public hearings and work sessions and prioritizing Native American representation.

The redistricted boundaries of the five district wards were presented, with Ward 1 having a 98.87% indigenous population; Ward 2, 71.66% indigenous; Ward 3, 81.35% indigenous; Ward 4, 32.94% indigenous; and Ward 5 29.2% indigenous. Each ward’s total populations vary between 1,857 members to 2,012. Redistricting will occur every 10 years.

“We are at the juncture of a historic moment tonight,” stated Koerperich, “To be able to rectify some of the inefficiencies that we’ve had over the course of the last 30 years. We feel like this is a point where we need to be at in the Holbrook Unified School District and we appreciate everyone’s participation to get us here.” He thanked all those involved with the redistricting process, naming Leonard Gorman, the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, board members, stakeholders and the Navajo Nation.

Gorman spoke during the call to the public, stating this was forwarded onward for adoption and has been shared with Indian Wells, Greasewood, White Cone, Teesto, and Dilkon Chapters and the Navajo Nation and resolutions were passed. Gorman stated the resolutions support and demand that the Holbrook School District adopt the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commissions Plan D. These resolutions note “to conduct a 2025 special election utilizing the newly adopted Plan D redistricting plan for all of the five single member districts.”

Robert Salabye stated he is a resident of White Cone. “We have not been given the opportunity to participate from the board or community level,” he stated, urging the board to support Gorman’s recommendation.

Indian Wells residents and secretary/treasurer of the Indian Wells Chapter Linda Nelson also spoke asking when the last election was conducted and who has the authority to appoint these school board members. She also voiced the opinion that a special election follow the redistricting.

Darlene Womochil also submitted for public comment but had technical difficulties. Dr. Koerperich stated he would accept a written comment from her.

Dr. Koerperich noted that an election is held every time a board member’s term expires. “Any candidate within our school district could run for a position for the past 30 years.”

When there is an election for an open seat and there is one or no candidates, the election is cancelled. Then the Navajo County Superintendent of Schools may appoint that person to the position if that person meets the criteria. Currently, there is a vacancy on the board for Ward 3, with no applicants for the position. It was also noted that the current board members were elected to serve a term and that a special election cannot legally be held that would violate their terms of office.

Alberto Peshlakai also spoke, stating that although wards have not been redistricted as they should have been previously, the district has consistently provided high quality education to all students, especially those of the Navajo Nation. “Holbrook Unified School District has developed and maintained robust educational programs that cater to unique cultural and academic needs for Navajo students.” Peshlakai also noted his concerns with a special election being expensive and time consuming and believes the new boundaries should be implemented into the regular election cycle.

Gorman was granted permission to speak again, during which he reinforced his belief for a special election for all five seats. The board also discussed the board’s authority to call a special election based on the redistricting. “We have sought counsel on this, as it applies to the Arizona Revised Statutes, and we have been notified by our attorney, who is in attendance this evening, Mr. Schott from Gust Rosenfeld, that there are no legal means to be able to have a special election called by the governing board itself, or I believe, with the county as well,” explained Dr. Koerperich.

For more information or to file for candidacy, visit the county superintendent’s or county elections office.

The board received a presentation on the district’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 financial audit from HUSD’s Business Manager Lauren Maestas.

Maestas stated that for the first time ever, the audit findings for the district fell below 10, with a total of nine findings. “There’s nothing major. No major concerns, no major findings,” assured Maestas. She then reviewed all the findings and assured each are being actively worked.

“This is one of the best audits that we have ever been through in my time (with the district),” stated Superintendent Dr. Robbie Koerperich.

In new business, the board:

* Accepted the independent auditor’s report and the uniform system of financial records compliance questionnaire findings for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

* Approved the Fiscal Year 2026 salary placement schedules for the 2025-2026 school year. Salary placement schedules include a first-year certified faculty placement schedule; substitute placement schedule; special assignment positions salary schedule including math, science, special education and Indian Wells Elementary positions; administrator placement schedule; special assignment stipend schedule; certified staff extra duty daily, hourly and periodic pay stipends; and special hourly certified employee pay rates schedules.

* Approved a 2% increase to the base salary for all certified teachers, administrators and salaried employees for the 2025-2026 school year; as well as a $2,500 retention stipend for certified teachers, administrators and salaried employee staff from school year 2024-25 that are on contract during for the 2025-2026 contract year.

* Approved the 2025-2026 administrator and salaried employee contracts for Dr. Jeff Meeks, Nichole Tow, Dr. Andrea Tomlin, Dr. Charles Haussman, Clete Hargrave, Galen Knight, Anne Lang, Lauren Maestas, Bernice Gover, Jacob Baker, Jesus Luna-Almendariz, Shawn Tow, Victor Padilla, Ryan Fraley and Ray McLaws.

* Approved school year 2025-26 contracts for returning certified staff members.

* Approved CWDL Certified Public Accountants to perform the annual audit for HUSD for FY 2025-FY 2029. The district solicited bids for auditing services and CWDL is the lowest responsive bidder.

* Approved E-Rate services for internet conduit and internet service provider services for the HUSD to Cable One/Sparklight. Cable One/Sparklight was the lowest responsive bidder.

* Approved the School Facility Division terms and conditions for a building renewal grant for HVAC at Munoz Gym.

* Approved the current Reading Specialist job description.

* Approved Ray Patterson to conduct practicum hours in classrooms at Hulet and Park elementary schools during the spring semester for coursework at Grand Canyon University.

* Approved support staff resignations of Danielle Johnson, transportation driver; and Sonya Miller, Park/SPED high needs para.

* Approved the support staff employment of Fiaa Bitahey, food service student worker.

* Approved the certified resignation of Dylan Charger, Hulet fifth grade teacher.

* Approved the certified retirement/return to work of Mike Burks, career and technical education CAD teacher, Melicia Thompson, HHS reading specialist and Dawn Thomlison, emergency safety intervention.

* Approved extra duty for Paul Agramont and Lelia Demuth, both HHS assistant track coaches; Beth Baloo, HJHS soccer club coach; Davina Begay, Indian Wells Elementary School assistant softball coach; Ty Hatch, HHS assistant baseball coach; Courtney King, IWES softball head coach; Jeremy Madison, HHS head golf coach; Gabe Nells, IWES coaching/head soccer coach; Sophia Nells, IWES coaching/assistant soccer coach; and Benson Wallace, HHS after school tutorial.

* Approved professional leave for Michael Nilsson, Career Technical Education advisory board training, Snowflake, cost to the district is a substitute teacher; Kyle Gardner, Artificial Intelligence in Education: A Series for Arizona Educators, Phoenix, cost to the district is $425, use of a district vehicle and a substitute teacher. Shalea Palmer, College Knowing & Going spring collaborative event, Flagstaff; Gabriel Nells, athletic director’s meeting, Dilkon; Cody Cline and Jesus Luna, best locks training, Flagstaff, cost to the district is use of district vehicle; Sylvia Jackson and Cheri Grau, Native Education Summit, Indian Wells, cost to the district is use of district vehicle; Conner Prestwich, NAVIT advisory meeting, Snowflake, cost to the district is a substitute teacher; Cayla Serna, Link Crew freshman transition program, Orange, Calif.; and Desiree Brewer, Guiding Students Through Their Transition, Snowflake, cost to the District is $125 and the use of a district vehicle.

* Approved expense and revolving vouchers totaling nearly $682,000.

* Approved payroll and expense vouchers totaling nearly $1.5 million.

* Approved personnel pay for Beth Self, deseg day Jan. 31; Park/Hulet Teach Like A Champion PD, $442; and Jan/Feb “White Fleet” driver stipend, $4,360.

* Accepted a donation from Matthew Price, owner of Laundro Max for $110 in loyalty cards to HUSD McKinney Vento.

* Adopted Policy GCF Professional Staff Hiring.

* Approved consent agenda items and expense vouchers in items A, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, B, C, 1, 2, 3, D, E, F, and G. Detailed information for all District expenditures may be obtained by contacting the School District business office located at 1000 N. 8th Ave.