HUSD staff research combats rising district utility costs

She referenced a study conducted by Arizona State University for the district, which estimated $91,000-$111,000 in potential annual savings through energy focused improvements.

After reviewing the district energy costs, Maestas surmised that the largest utility drain to the district is Indian Wells Elementary School (IWES), which operates at nearly three times the cost of the district per site at $115,434 annually due to utility rates under Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA).

Although solar typically might not offer savings in other areas, IWES is the exception. Maestas surveyed six regional districts, 75% of which reported that using solar under standard APS rates was not beneficial due to their lower baseline costs. Due to IWES being subjected to NTUA rates, which have much higher baseline costs than APS, it would benefit from solar implementation in ways other locations wouldn’t.

In the PowerPoint presented by Maestas, it was estimated that by investing approximately $350,000 into solar implementation at IWES would result in a 25%-35% total utility reduction, resulting in $40,000 annual savings.

Maestas also research the return of investment (ROI) on turf implementation at Park Elementary School, which showed replacing grass with a synthetic alternative would cost substantially more than current maintenance. The initial investment is $500,000 for installment and must be replaced every decade.

Based on her research, Maestas recommended the board implement an updated energy management system (EMS) as well as solar installation at IWES. Although an EMS would cost approximately $50,000 to implement districtwide, annual savings would come in between $10,000-$30,000 through lighting and HVAC optimization.

Holbrook High School (HHS) Principal Clete Hargrave spoke on his project, as well, stating “My action research was on all the freshmen transition initiatives that we implemented this year.” According to Hargrave’s presentation, the 2024-25 freshmen class’s data showed 70% of freshmen students had failing grades, 43% had behavior referrals, which making up nearly half of the entire high school’s referrals and 37% were not on track to graduate by the end of freshmen year.

Cohort partitioning, data driven outreach and a peer mentorship program called Link Crew were all implemented this last school year to improve these freshmen centered issues. Results showed approximately a 10% increase in on-track graduations, going up to 74%. Targeted intervention improved grades significantly with a 46.7% reduction in course failures.

Human Resources Director Anne Touchstone presented on her investigation into the district’s wellness program and how it improves staff retention and morale, which was also the subject of her action research the previous year.

During call to the public Holbrook High School (HHS) senior Hunter Tallsalt thanked the board for all the support they have provided. “None of my success, none of my accomplishments in life could be possible without the Holbrook administration backing me up, in both the teachers and the administrative board.” Tallsalt added he will attend the University of Arizona to study biochemistry. The board also thanked Tallsalt for all his involvement in the school as well as his attendance to the district meetings.

The board held a public hearing for the expenditure budget revisions for FY 2026, during which no one spoke. The budget revisions to the FY 2026 budget were then approved. Major revisions noted in the revised budget include a $489,374 reduction due to a natural decrease in enrollment. “When we set our budget in the beginning of the school year, we set our budget at a higher student estimate. That way we can build in that budget capacity just in case we have growth,” explained Business Manager Maestas, adding that if there was an increase that wasn’t accounted for it would result in a financial loss.

One time supports that helped offset the reduction included a $120,683 state aid supplement, $44,531 from District Additional Assistance and $134,012 from Free-and-Reduced-Price-Lunch Group B Weight for a total of $299,226. Despite the reduction, the budget remains financially sound. The final maintenance and operations budget limit is approximately $23.5 million with a $6.4 million carry forward from FY 2024-25.

In other business, the board:

* Approved the High Noon Decodable Book Series for Hulet Elementary for final adoption. The decodable books will be used to increase reading proficiency in second and third grades.

* Approved FY 2027 classified placement pay schedule effective July 1. The placement schedule is used for all new hires as of July 1.

* Approved retention stipends for classified staff as presented for the 2026-2027 school year (SY).

* Approved a job description for a junior high/high school health aide to help meet the medical needs of the schools.

* Approved a HUSD social worker job description.

* Approved an elementary health aide/attendance clerk job description that combines health aide duties and attendance team duties.

* Approved an extra duty job description for a Career and Technical Education (CTE) coordinator as part of the HHS leadership redesign for SY 2026-2027.

* Approved an HHS student services extra duty job description. The job description outlines extra duties for before and after school as well as events.

* Approved Celena Ambrose to student teach at Indian Wells Elementary School in the fall semester. Ambrose is a Northland Pioneer College student and has fingerprint clearance credentials.

* Approved the engagement letter with CWDL Auditing Services to conduct the fiscal audit for the Holbrook School District in FY 26.

* Approved Flexible Creativity as a sole source provider for professional development services for Project Momentum.

* Awarded the Outsource Counseling Services proposal to Arizona Psychological Services as the primary service provider and Guided Path Services for secondary services. HUSD concluded a five-year Request For Proposal (RFP) for counseling and social worker services.

* Approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United Way of Northern Arizona and HUSD to provide KinderCamp for incoming preschool to kindergarten students at Park Elementary School and IWES during summer 2026.

* Approved the 2026-2027 intergovernmental agreement between Vail Unified School District and the HUSD for the use of the Beyond Textbooks Program.

* Approved the Arizona Risk Trust and Alliance insurance coverage for SY 26-27. The insurance covers liability, car and professional liability; as well as Alliance for worker’s compensation liability.

* Approved the HUSD summer activity plan. Summer activities will be grant-funded or sponsored by clubs. Cost for travel will increase to .30 cents per mile. District liability insurance will cover these events.

* Approved a MOU between HUSD with ACE Development Company. The MOU outlines funding for Energizing Roadrunner initiatives, STEM supplies and community event funding.

* Approved the classified employment of Yolanda Attakai, IWES school secretary; Ashley Hayes, special education high needs paraprofessional trainee 2026/27; AnaPaula LeSueur, Hulet, daycare assistant and preschool aide increase to 29 hours 2026/27; Sally O’Dell, district, purchasing bookkeeper 26/27; and Ezabelle Salazar, special education high needs paraprofessional trainee 2026/27.

* Approved the certified retirement of Jeffrey Strong, HHS teacher, effective May 25.

* Approved the certified employment of Saraphania Benally, special education academic success teacher 26/27; Galen Knight, HHS assistant principal 26/27; Shawn Layden, district, ESI substitute; Craig Remos, HHS teacher in construction 26/27; Amanda Sander, Hulet Elementary School teacher 26/27; Elizabeth Self, Park Elementary School and IWES music teacher 26/27; and Jeffrey Strong, HHS, teacher ESI, return to work 26/27.

* Approved extra duty for Stephanie Bridegam, IWES, special education summer services; Estefana Chavez, Karen Estridge, Adicia Paschal, Eric Salley and Loren Silver, all HJHS 2026 summer school; Marilyn Francisco, Athina Lewis, Gabriel Nells and Sophia Nells, all IWES 2026 summer school; Arletta Nez and Danelle Garner, Hulet Elementary School 2026 summer school; Sylvia Jackson, HHS 2026 curriculum development; Callie Jensen, HHS Link Crew coordinator; Delmar Johnson, HHS assistant coach boys soccer 26/27; Jamie Justman, HHS, ninth grade Success Grant coordinator; Jerald Nez, HHS math department head; Daniel Orton, HJHS 2026 summer club basketball camp; Amanda Remos and Barbra Williams, both special education Child Find screening.

* Approved professional leave for Laurie Jones, Leadership in Training, Flagstaff, May 7, estimated cost to the district is $115.

* Approved expense and revolving vouchers totaling $729,066.

* Approved payroll and expense vouchers totaling nearly $1 million.

* Approved personnel pay No. 22, $190; personnel pay No. 23, $255,694; personnel pay No. 23.1, $197,000; personnel pay No. 23.2, $1,752; personnel pay No. 24, $64,622; and April 2026 White Fleet driver’s stipend, $1,080.

* Approved fundraisers for IWES student council, soccer game concessions, April 17, with expected earnings of $300; IWES student council, softball finals concessions, April 24; IWES student council, coffee/tea concession sale, May 4-20, with expected earnings of $160; HHS girls basketball, summer league, June 1, 3, 8 and 10, with expected earnings of $500; HHS golf, golf tournament, dates not yet specified, expected to earn $2,500; and HHS gold, youth golf camp, dates not yet specified, with expected earnings of $700.

* Approved the acceptance of a $420 donation from Holbrook Lions Club Inc. to Park Elementary School bike awards and $420 to Hulet Elementary School bike awards.

* Approved consent agenda items and expense vouchers. Detailed information for all District expenditures may be obtained by contacting the HUSD business office located at 1000 N. 8th Ave. Phone 1-928-524-6144.