The Winslow Unified School District Governing Board meeting held last week contained significant discussions regarding the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Matt Weber, superintendent of Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) opened the session with a presentation focused on the current and upcoming CTE programs within the district. Weber highlighted NAVIT’s extensive operations, covering 11 districts across approximately 1,000 square miles and the challenges that are presented with covering that large of an area.

Weber gave the board a financial overview, reporting that Winslow High School generates around $350,000 annually through its CTE programs, contributing to a total of $8.8 million since his tenure began in 2002.

He detailed the allocation of these funds go towards hiring new instructors and expanding program offerings.

Recent additions to the staff for Public Safety and Security, Digital Printing and Graphics, Sports Medicine, and Early Childhood Education. The presentation covered both established and new CTE programs, noting that traditional offerings such as cosmetology, nursing assistants, and welding remain integral, while new programs in behavioral health and computer information systems have been introduced.

A major highlight he discussed is the upcoming Auto Tech program, set to launch in August with a $400,000 investment in equipment for the Painted Desert Campus in Holbrook. Weber shared a personal success story about his son, who graduated in May 2023 and secured a job with a $60,000 base salary plus overtime, demonstrating the tangible benefits of the district’s CTE initiatives.

During the question and answer segment, board members inquired about the logistics of the Auto Tech program and the potential expansion of industrial programs. Weber stated that while the Auto Tech lab will be housed at Painted Desert Campus there are plans to collaborate with the local college to explore further program expansions. He emphasized the importance of partnerships in sustaining and growing CTE opportunities for students for their continued support.

Following Weber’s presentation, Mark Joraanstad from the Arizona School Administrators (ASA) presented a detailed plan for the district’s search for a new superintendent. He began by expressing gratitude to the board members for their dedication and leadership, emphasizing the importance of selecting a superintendent who is not only highly qualified but also a good fit for the district’s unique environment, staff, students and community.

Joraanstad outlined a multi-phase process designed to ensure transparency and thoroughness. The first phase involves developing the superintendent’s profile and timeline, coupled with community engagement efforts. The second phase focuses on advertising the position widely, including national postings in southwestern states and online platforms such as Indeed.

In the third phase, the board will screen applications, reviewing detailed multi-page submissions to identify the most suitable candidates. This ensures that only the most qualified individuals advance to the interview stage, where the pool will be narrowed down to one or two finalists.

A notable aspect of the superintendent position advertising document is the inclusion of new questions designed to assess candidates’ cultural sensitivity and awareness, particularly regarding the district’s diverse populations, including the Hopi and Navajo tribes. One approved application question asks candidates to describe their knowledge and experience with cultural diversity in both the school population and the broader community, ensuring the new superintendent is equipped to handle the region’s unique cultural dynamics effectively.

Joraanstad outlined the timeline for the search process, with advertising set to begin on Nov. 25 and the application deadline established for Jan. 3. Application screening is scheduled for Jan. 8, followed by interviews on Jan. 25. The board anticipates entering into contract negotiations by early February, aiming to appoint the new superintendent by the second board meeting in February. Throughout his presentation, Joraanstad emphasized the importance of adhering to Arizona state laws regarding open meetings and confidentiality, assuring the board that all procedures would comply with legal requirements to maintain transparency and fairness. He also highlighted the need for board members to refrain from directly contacting potential candidates to avoid any perception of favoritism or bias.

The meeting concluded with unanimous approval of the advertising document and the inclusion of additional application questions focused on cultural sensitivity. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about the superintendent search process by visiting the Winslow Unified School District’s official website for updates and further information.

In other business, the board:

* Approved past meeting minutes and the ratification list.

* Approved hiring George Joe as a substitute teacher.

* Approved the resignations of Lori Stewart, substitute teacher; Jennifer Remington, preschool teacher; Charleigh Betts, paraprofessional; and Reese Chatwin as head swim coach.

* Approved the following fundraiser requests: Winslow Junior High School (WJHS) Book Club, fall sports and Christmas dance concessions, and WJHS Yearbook Club, bestie portraits, snack packs and birthday grams.

* Approved adoption of Arizona School Board Association administrative policy advisories 801-807 to stay compliant with state laws.

* Approved the annual disposal of capital assets.

The next meeting of the WUSD school board will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, in the meeting room, located at 800 N. Apache Ave.