During their June 1 meeting, members of the Winslow School District Governing Board heard Winslow High School Principal Chris Gilmore report on a change being made in the school’s electronic device policy. The change will take advantage of the many positive uses of such devices, but still leave the necessity of the teacher’s permission to use the devices. This is a major change in the direction of the policy, and is seen as recognizing the value of the devices and how they can enhance education, especially if students use them wisely, courteously and in an acceptable manner. A majority of the faculty of the school expressed support for the changes, and agreement that the changes would be beneficial to them and improve the educational experience for most students.
In other business the board approved the hiring of Todd Schipper as a Winslow Junior High School science teacher, Annie Watson as WHS cross country coach and Shernice Watkins as district speech pathologist.
Resignations or retirements were approved for WHS cross country coach Salvador Hernandez, WHS assistant special forces coach Darcey McKee, district substitute teacher Susan Warren and district maintenance supervisor Sonny Bardsley.
The board approved revoking the contract of part-time district custodian Alicia Aragon.
Donations of $813 for the WHS Lady Hoops Club from Hoops Club parents and $82 for Washington Elementary School from Arizona Restaurants Systems Inc. for Sonic Night were accepted by the board.
The board authorized an amendment to the assistant superintendent’s contract for payment of membership fees and dues for a service organization.
Also approved was the 301 performance pay plan for the 2011-2012 school year.
Several routine resolutions were passed to allow the system to continue operating, including designating those authorized to sign documents for the district. Four items dealt with bank accounts at both Wells Fargo and the Bank of the West, and funds with Navajo County. One dealt with corporate credit card use, which was the same as the last school year.
A list of sole source providers was approved with no changes from the previous year’s list, and ratification of retirement contracts dealing with insurance was approved for what was said to be the last time this measure will be necessary.
WJHS Principal Jim MacLean spoke during the call to the public, and expressed appreciation for the actions of the community, counselors and many who helped with Winslow’s efforts regarding the tragic accidental death of Winslow Little League player Hayden Walton. A huge crowd had attended an event in his honor at Vargas Field earlier in the day.
Board President Marian Scheid expressed her pleasure with the policy change Gilmore had described and called it a huge step in the right direction.
