HUSD prepares for school transitions and new gym

Hulet will then transition to using only the newer section of the campus built in 2008 for daycare, preschool and kindergarten services. “We can’t demo the new classrooms because they are good and functioning. So, we have to keep that space.” The gym and kitchen will also remain for use, with eventual plans to demolish the rest of the aging building structure.

The new Park gym will be a stand-alone building on the south side of the school’s campus. It will feature a full-sized court, raised sports roof, concrete flooring and a dedicated support zone. The transition is expected to create an influx of over 400 students, which means additional operations and infrastructure projects will be done as well.

The total budget presented in the funding resolution totals at nearly $5.25 million, which includes professional services, construction, owner costs, contingencies and permits. $2.6 million of that will be awarded by the Arizona School Facilities Division (SFD), with the remainder coming from the district. “The district commits $2.6 million in local funding, which is going to be funded through unrestricted capital, adjacent ways and impact aid,” Dr. Koerperich explained. He noted that the guaranteed maximum price was utilized for the construction contract, which totaled $4.6 million, to ensure there would be no unexpected cost.

After the presentation, the board approved the Park Gym funding resolution to be submitted as part of the School Facility Board Park Gym project. Following the approval of the district’s resolution, the district is expected to receive final SFD administration approval in August of this year. Dr. Koerperich explained that there will be community engagement and outreach integrated into the plans as well. “We want to make sure that we have public comment throughout the course of this year and make sure that we’re open and transparent about what our plans are.”

Construction is expected to begin in September and be completed by May of 2027. “We’re anticipating in July of 2027, we could transition our Hulet campus over to our Park campus grades one through three.” Dr. Koerperich assured that if the timeline is pushed back, Hulet is still a functioning and safe building to operate in.

The board also held a public hearing for comments pertaining to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget. No one spoke, and the board approved the FY 2027 Holbrook Unified School District budget.

Board members Debbie Shumway and Alfred Clark were absent from the meeting.

In other business, the board:

* Approved Lexia Core5 Reading by Lexia Learning Systems for final adoption to be part of the Indian Wells reading program. Lexia Core5 will be funded through the Early Literacy grant provided through the Arizona Department of Education. The material underwent 60-day review.

* Approved The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey for final adoption to be used in HHS leadership coursework. The material underwent 60-day review.

* Approved the list of specific vendors as the sole source for their products and services for FY 2027. Sole source vendors are designated on the basis that they are the sole provider of the required materials or services for our school district.

* Approved Anne Touchstone, Human Resources Director and Sally O’Dell, purchasing/bookkeeper, as second signature designees to be authorized signers in the absence of the business manager for FY 2026-27.

* Approved the School Year 2026-27 authorized check signers.

* Approved the appointment of Margarita Mike as the student accounts treasurer for FY 2026-27.

* Approved Zoe Daniels, Shayla Dashner, Jacqueline Benally and Deanna Woody to complete their practicums at Hulet Elementary School, IWES and Park Elementary during SY 2026-2027. All three have fingerprint clearance cards on file.

* Approved the SY 26-27 Employee Handbook, Substitute Handbook and Student Activities Handbook.

* Approved a first reading of Policy GCCA Professional/Support Staff Sick Leave as presented. The updates include revisions to the policy to align to current practices.

* Approved a first reading for a policy update to Policy IKF Graduation Requirements. The policy update outlines new language for accepting nationally recognized assessments by transfer students.

* Approved a revised FY 2027 Substitute Salary Placement Schedule, which includes revising long-term sub to begin after 10 consecutive days of subbing in the same classroom, long-term certified teacher substitute rates, full teacher certification substitute rates and long-term resident substitute rates for FY 2027.

* Approved athletic handbooks and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports handbooks that outlines policies, procedures and guidelines for athletic eligibility, coaching guidelines and volunteer guidelines.

* Approved the PALS Daycare Handbook. The handbook includes a 25 cent per hour increase for daycare costs for SY 2026-27. Daycare prices have not increased in numerous years. The new rates will be set at $1.75 per hour for the first child and $1.50 for all other siblings.

* Approved to pay teachers that have classrooms impacted by water leaks to be provided up to two additional contract days to set up classrooms prior to the beginning of the school year. There are approximately seven teachers that have classrooms impacted that will need to have classrooms moved and reorganized. Teachers will be paid their daily rate for setting up classrooms.

* Approved the request to hire paraprofessionals and/or health aides throughout the school year, as needed, when these positions are required by a student’s Individual Education Plan.

* Approved a 60-day review of Step Up to Writing. Step Up to Writing is a supplemental writing program for elementary writing instruction. The 60-day review materials will be posted on the district website under 60-day review materials.

* Approved Caleb Layden’s resignation effective June 30 and waived liquidated damages as per Policy GCQC Resignation of Professional Staff Members.

* Approved the classified employment of Janice Buchanan, Hulet, director of child care facility; Jimmy Carbajal and Lenora Peters, both substitute cafeteria workers; Ayla Hayden, Hulet, special needs assistant; Ernest Luna, cafeteria delivery; Allison Maxwell, Park Elementary, computer lab assistant and library assistant; Lori Reynolds, Hulet Elementary, operational trainer for daycare director; Kristina Sweet, cafeteria worker; Raylene Tsosie, Park, paraprofessional trainee; Shalayne Yazzie, Indian Wells Elementary School, substitute cafeteria worker; and Erika Yellowhair-Sam, IWES, pre-school aide.

* Approved the end of contract for Robinson Jeffrey, HHS teacher, effective May 22.

* Approved certified employment of Mollie Daly, Elwina Danner, Pelin Haddad, Abbie Harmon, Ayla Hayden, Shawn Layden, Britney McGee, Deveney McGee, Hannah Moore, John Nicholas, Mark Saxton, Kevin Self, Julie Smith, Danielle Winn and Nicole Young, all district ESI substitutes.

* Approved extra duty for Jacob Baker, district, treatment applicator; Janice Buchanan, Hulet Elementary, extra days for training; Clete Hargrave, HHS, custodial supervisor; Ray McLaws, food services, June 2026 summer; Audrey Morris, IWES, school registration for four days; Parker Moss, HHS, girls assistant soccer coach; Gabriel Nells, IWES, 2026 summer school; and Gloria Todacheenie, district office, operational trainer for payroll.

* Approved volunteers Antonio Aguilera, HHS, head soccer coach; Jesus Aguilera, HHS, assistant soccer coach; Kyley Attakai, HHS, volleyball volunteer; Alex Baker, HHS and HJHS, assistant softball coach; Scott Baker, HHS and HJHS, head softball coach and eighth grade head softball coach; Bryant Manygoats, IWES, cross country, basketball and softball volunteer; Chris Moore, HJHS, eighth grade head football coach; Daniel Moore, Donavan Rodriquez and Jonathan Sample Sr., all HHS, football volunteers; and Farrel Yazzie, HJHS, head wrestling coach.

* Approved professional leave for Jamie Justman and Meghan Carbonneau, both for Career and Technical Education connection conference, Tucson, July 10-14, estimated cost to the district is use of a district vehicle.

* Approved expense and revolving fund vouchers totaling $534,296.

* Approved payroll and expense vouchers totaling nearly $2 million.

* Approved personnel pay 2.0: KinderCamp and child find stipends, $11,930; and personnel pay 2.1: new teacher and employee retention stipends, $477,686.

* Approved the acceptance of a donation of $1,500 from Run for the Wall, Inc., to Hulet Elementary on June 6; and $500 from the Blackbaud Giving Fund to IWES on June 12.

* 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.