HUSD board reviews financial audit for 2024-25

Some of the findings included a deposit that was made late, two late charges that were accrued on a district credit card and a contract being off by nine cents. Maestas emphasized the importance of training as well as looking into integral processes to reduce these types of errors. “Our steps are just making sure that we have clear procedures, that we’re continuously communicating that to our employees, we’re providing training, we’re doing our oversight and our internal audits, and also collaboration.”

Findings also pertained to minor discrepancies in the filing of student attendance withdrawals throughout school days, as well as needing to implement a data classification policy in the IT department.

The audit had no findings in governing board management, supplies, inventory procurement, transportation, records management, classroom site fund, property control, budgeting, accounting records, expenditures and financial reporting. “To have 10 [findings] is a huge accomplishment when you’re looking at the overall scope,” stated Maestas. Superintendent Dr. Robbie Koerperich added, “For public education, this is the scrutiny that we go through to make sure that we are fiscal stewards of public funds.”

Following the presentation, the board accepted the Independent Auditor’s Report and the Uniform System of Financial Records Compliance Questionnaire findings for FY 2024-25.

The board also approved a 3.5% increase to employees’ current base salary for all certified teachers, administrators and salaried employees, as well as a $2,500 retention stipend for certified teachers, administrators and salaried employee staff from School Year (SY) 2025-26 that are on contract during the 2026-2027 contract year.

When a board member expressed gratitude for the ability to provide the increase, Dr. Koerperich agreed, stating “It’s a combination of being fiscally conservative, having some good carryover and just making sure that we’re having the right staff for class sizes. Our staff, they are working really, really hard on a daily basis to give them an increase.”

In other business, the board:

* Approved the FY 2027 salary placement schedules. Salary placement schedules include first-year regular certified faculty placement schedule; first-year certified salary schedule for math, special education and Indian Wells Elementary School (IWES); substitute placement schedule; special assignment stipend schedule including math, science, special education and IWES positions; administrator placement schedule; special assignment stipend schedule, certified staff extra duty daily, hourly and periodic pay stipends, and administrator addendum schedule.

* Approved continuing contracts for Dr. Jeff Meeks, Nichole Tow, Connie Gover, Dr. Andrea Tomlin, Clete Hargrave, Galen Knight, Anne Lang, Lauren Maestas, Bernice Gover, Jacob Baker, Jesus Luna-Almendariz, Shawn Tow, Ryan Fraley and Ray McLaws for the 2026-27 School Year (SY).

* Approved SY 2026-27 contracts for returning certified staff members.

* Approved a step increase for eligible extra-duty personnel, as well as a 15% increase to employees that are beyond Step 5 on the Extra Duty Certified Faculty Placement Schedule for fine arts, Career and Technical Education (CTE), academic, and other duties, including Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) related activities for SY 2026-27.

* Approved the Special Services Consortium Agreement for SY 2026-2027.

* Approved the Category 2 E-Rate plan, including awarding the installation of network equipment to Advanced Network Management (ANM) under the 1GPA contract. ANM, using the 1GPA cooperative purchasing contract, will supply and install network equipment for the district’s E-Rate Category 2 project. Also authorized was the submission of E-Rate funding requests to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for eligible services, including the authorization of district funds to cover the non-discounted share and fully ineligible costs, contingent upon E-Rate funding approval.

* Approved the High Noon Decodable Book Series for 60-day review. The decodable books will be used to increase reading proficiency in second and third grades. The 60-day review materials and book list are posted on the district’s website under 60-day materials.

* Approved Shalya Daschner to conduct practicum hours at Hulet and Park Elementary. Daschner has a valid fingerprint clearance card.

* Approved out-of-state travel for Holbrook Junior High School and Holbrook High School staff for the Summer 2026 Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Summer Institute in Anaheim, Calif., from July 15-17.

* Approved the classified employment of Michael Gardner, Maintenance, substitute custodian to full time; and Lisa Larson, Hulet/HJHS, library assistant.

* Approved certified employment for Dennis Fortuna, district substitute.

* Approved extra duty for Yolanda Attakai, IWES, assistant softball coach; Karen Estridge, HJHS game help; Callie Jensen and Alicia Jimenez, both HJHS soccer club coaches; Courtney King, IWES head softball coach; Audrey Morris, IWES operational cross trainer; Gabriel Nells, IWES head soccer coach; and Sophia Nells, IWES assistant soccer coach.

* Approved volunteers Ryan Attakai, HHS assistant track coach; Nathan Carlson, HHS French learning lessons via zoom; Robert Danner, HHS golf; Brooke Frost, HHS Grow Arizona; and Farrel Yazzie HJHS, game help and boys head track coach.

* Approved professional leave for Ryan Fraley, Arizona Association of School Business Officials (AASBO) spring conference, Laughlin, Nev., March 31-April 3, the estimated cost to the district is $545 and use of a district vehicle; Danelle Garner, Navajo County spelling bee, Snowflake, Feb. 11; Charles Haussman, Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology, and Career and Technical Education administrators meeting, Feb. 24; Alicia Jimenez, AI summit, Goodyear, Feb. 10-11; Jesus Luna, AASBO Spring Conference, Laughlin, Nev. March 31 – April 3, the estimated cost to the district is $968.58 and use of a district vehicle; Michaela Saxton, the Trust Risk Management Summit, Phoenix, Feb. 26, the estimated cost to the district is $325; Lauren Maestas, AASBO Spring Conference, Laughlin, Nev., March 31-April 3, estimated cost to the district is $933; Lauren Maestas, AASBO accounting advanced workshop, Phoenix, May 17-18, the estimated cost to the district is $325; Gabriel Nells, athletic directors meeting, Winslow, Feb. 10; Barbra Williams, 2026 early intervention/early childhood special education summit (virtually), March 4, the estimated cost to the district is $100; Jayme Hughey, Ivah Jeffers-Sample and Jamie Justman, NPC High School Partner Appreciation Day, Snowflake, Feb. 25, the estimated cost to the district is use of a district vehicle.

* Approved expense and revolving vouchers totaling $653,746.

* Approved payroll and expense vouchers totaling nearly $1.2 million.

* Approved personnel pay No. 18, which includes coaches pay; professional development; bus driver incentive; Proposition 301, $20,198; personnel pay No. 19, coaches pay, $2,897; personnel pay No. 20, coaches pay and leave buyout, $10,012; and February 2026, white fleet driver’s stipend, $320.

* Approved Healthcare Occupations Student Organization club.

* Approved consent agenda items and expense vouchers. Detailed information for all District expenditures may be obtained by contacting the School District business office located at 1000 N. 8th Ave., P.O. Box 640, Holbrook, Ariz., 86025.