By L. Parsons The Winslow Unified School District governing board met telephonically last week. Among the agenda items was a discussion regarding plans for Winslow High School graduation and recognizing graduating seniors. According to the board and Winslow High School Principal Dr. James Donner, Wednesday, May 20, has been set aside for a celebration for WHS seniors. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, seniors are invited to participate in cap and gown photo opportunity at the Bulldog Statue on the WHS campus. At 8:30 a.m., students will be invited to write statements and leave collectables for a time capsule. During this time, seniors may pick up their diplomas at the Student Union, located at 600 E. Cherry St. Off campus events on Wednesday will include live speeches on Facebook from Dr. Donner, Superintendent Cyndie Mattox, the student body president, salutatorian and valedictorian. The governing board will also have comments and at 5:30 p.m., a slideshow of student photos featuring their caps and gowns will be shown. At 6 p.m., graduates are invited to participate in a parade beginning at Emil Nasser Stadium. Each graduate is asked to decorate and bring only one vehicle and to line up along Colorado Avenue. The motor parade will be led by Winslow Police escorts and will follow the route usually taken by the homecoming parade each fall, passing in front of Winslow Junior High School, Jefferson Elementary School and Washington Elementary School. At 8:20 p.m., WHS the stadium lights at Emil Nasser Stadium will be turned on in honor of the Class of 2020. Winslow High School recommends that social distancing and hygiene are exhibited throughout the event, including staying home if sick or are at high risk, maintaining a six-foot distance from others, washing hands and wearing a face covering. An entire list of the celebration’s events has been posted on the district website at www.wusd1.org. Dr. Donner has also announced that WHS will have a commencement exercise on Aug. 1, pending Center for Disease Control recommendations. The governing board also discussed the school schedule for the 2020-2021 school year. Currently, the three elementary schools in the district have early releases on Wednesdays for teacher development and WJHS and WHS begin their classes later on Wednesdays. The discussion last week pertained to changing that schedule to accommodate teacher development on the first Friday of each month and doing away with early release and late starts. Transportation director Jack Hanno explained to the governing board that issues may arise in moving scheduling around not only for the first Fridays, but also for the proposed start and end times at each school site. Following a brief discussion, no action was taken on scheduling for next year and the agenda item was tabled pending further information and discussion from the transportation department. In other business, the governing board: * Recognized employees of the months of March and April including Christa Knox, Brayannen James, Betina Reinhardt, Laura Carrell, Mary Nelson, James Donner, Danna Hayes, Aimee Tafoya, Afton Foster and Kourtney Hendricks. * Named business manager Shirley Lomeli as acting superintendent until June 1 when Kathryn Zanin takes over the position. * Approved the hiring of Kim Baber as a fourth grade teacher; Travis Dooley, assistant WJHS principal; Afton Foster, Career and Technical Education construction teacher; Steven Jacott, assistant WHS principal; Laurel Poleyestewa, WHS counselor; Larissa Richards, Bonnie Brennan Elementary School principal; Maria Shephard, special education inclusion teacher; Leroy Thomas, WJHS math teacher; Laurel Turley, second grade teacher; and Taylor Welson, fourth grade teacher. * Approved the resignation of Jennifer Brown as a paraprofessional; Mandi Chee, first grade teacher; Scott Corum, boys varsity basketball coach; Danelle Gamer, third grade teacher; Garrett Goodrich, English teacher; Roland Hancock, business teacher; Deana McNamee, employee on assignment; Cyndie Mattox, superintendent; Rosie Montemayor, paraprofessional; and Yolanda Reyes, paraprofessional. * Approved the transfer of Lisa Foster from TALON to business/finance teacher at WHS, Michelle Jones from WJHS math/science teacher to WHS science teacher and Leslie Powers from fourth grade teacher to fifth grade teacher. * Approved the retirement of Fred Romero as custodian; Carol Romero, custodian; and Todd Turley who is retiring from teaching construction full time to a part time position instructing drafting courses. * Approved a one-time deviation of Proposition 301 due to COVID-19. Proposition 301 is a voter approved initiative passed in 2000 providing funds for public education. * Approved the display of a reading program for elementary education. The program will be on display in the district office, located at 800 N. Apache Ave. * Adopted the Foundation in Personal Finance curriculum, which has been on display in the district office since March 6. * Approved an agreement with the Arizona Department of Education regarding the permanent food program. This is a routine procedure that must be completed each time a new superintendent is hired. * Approved the ratification of vouchers in a routine procedure that allows the board to submit vouchers to the county superintendent between meetings. The next meeting of the Winslow Unified School District governing board will be held telephonically at a yet to be determined date and time.
