By China Cassidy During the Holbrook Unified School District No. 3 Governing Board meeting last Tuesday, Jan. 12, Superintendent Robbie Koerperich gave some insight to how the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) winter sports will continue through the season, and what some of the protocols focused on health and wellness are. Koerperich explained, “AIA reinstated winter sports. There are requirements including that all students, coaches and officials are required to wear a cloth mask, verify that there is a COVID protocol… and that we’ve screened our players, and that everyone is COVID free.” Protocols are in place for participants who present symptoms. Koerperich offered, “If there is an illness, we fortunately have the Embry Health at the junior high right now (and) they turn around their tests in about 24 hours. If there is an exposure on the team, we’ll require everyone to get tested before they can come back and practice and compete.” Koerperich continued, “If somebody tests positive, they either have to test negative before they return or quarantine for10 days. This is happening at the NBA (National Basketball Association) level, this is happening at the college level, this is happening everywhere. Parents, coaches and athletes are going to have to be patient and understand we can’t just push forward if the conditions are not right.” Koerperich also explained that at this time, the AIA rules will allow two parents, or two legal guardians to attend the home games as allowed by the schools and county guidelines and are seeking options for fan viewing. “We’re really taking a look at that and determining what that looks like for Holbrook. We are able to televise our games through our Facebook live so we’ll see if that’s an option,” offered Koerperich. Because the games will also expand into other counties, the AIA will provide guidelines for officials to regulate the game schedules according to COVID-19 activity. “Like everything else, it hasn’t been done before, so we will see. I’m sure the officials have to regulate that somehow. It’s going to take a lot of organization, (and) it’s going to take a lot of management.” Overall, Koerperich expressed the districts’ desire to give students the opportunity to play sports if they choose. “Our bottom line is we want kids to participate, we want kids to have that aspect, especially our seniors as this is their last opportunity to do something like this. We have some athletes that are getting recruited at college levels, so this gives them that,” said Koerperich. Students currently participating in sports are already utilizing the sports specific mask provided by the district. Koerperich also announced that the district has been working with North Country HealthCare to provide vaccines to those at the district who want one. As of last Tuesday, the clinic notified the district that they have 80 vaccines set aside for the district. Staff was to begin receiving the vaccine last Thursday and Friday, and vaccines will continue each Thursday and Friday until all vaccines have been dispersed. Also, in new business, the board: * Approved the 2020-2021 HUSD Gifted and Talented Scope and Sequence plan. * Approved the Indian Wells Elementary School Special Education Operational Plan, which will allow for limited onsite services for special education students. * Approved policies regarding the continued use of the current fee schedule and policies for the community use of school facilities. * Approved support staff employment of student custodian/ground worker Joshua Meeks. * Approved the resignations of Tina Nez, bus driver; and driver and maintenance worker, Lane Jensen; as well as the end of employment for Alvin Black, Indian Wells custodian. * Approved certified employment of Valentina Tom, ESI substitute teacher. * Approved extra duty for Lona Haussman as the COVID-19 BinaNow Tester. * Approved professional leave for Casey Hancock to attended the Arizona Association of School Business Officials budget and finance class in Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 11-12, at an estimated cost of $100. * Approved expense and revolving vouchers totaling $423,600. * Approved payroll and expense vouchers totaling nearly $2.2 million. * Approved personnel pay for Steven Santos, Hulet /Park elementary schools professional development; $500 for Benita Smith, Park Elementary School professional development; and Shannon Knight, Holbrook High School second quarter size differential. * Approved a request by High School Football Head Coach Christopher Starkey to do an online fundraiser selling cinnamon rolls. The fundraiser is expected to earn nearly $4,000. * Accepted a $5,000 Supply My School Grant from Arizona Public Service, and Not So Wimpy Teacher donated a Crazy Susan Turntable organizer, a pack of disposable masks, storage trolley and class set of dice and telling time teaching clock to Kara Gardner.
