Teachers in Winslow had slightly heavier pockets last week as the first of the Winslow Unified School District’s (WUSD) teacher retention stipends were distributed to teachers. A $2,000 stipend was awarded to returning staff, while new staff received $1,500. This initiative was discussed during last week’s school board meeting, where it was noted that these stipends would be included in the upcoming paycheck. Leanne Bowley, the federal programs director, and Casey Hancock, the business manager, collaborated to ensure these funds were utilized effectively because it was a “use it or lose it” situation with the funds. These stipends were funded by the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, which was money set aside by the federal government for COVID-19 related school funds. The funds had to be spent by Sept. 30.
WUSD is in an unfavorable position to find and retain teachers, especially well-qualified teachers. With the housing crisis causing homes and subsequentially rentals to skyrocket leaving the district to at one time consider.
With the high costs of everything nowadays and some teachers having the extra burden by student loans, these stipends are a big help to those performing an often thankless job.
The school board meeting also had updates to policies to fall in line with state and federal regulations including policy BBBA, which bars individuals convicted of sex offenses from serving on the school district governing board. Another policy change extends this requirement for both professional and support staff requiring job applicants to disclose whether they have pled guilty, been convicted of, or are awaiting trial for specific serious crimes. These crimes include dangerous crimes against children, sexual offenses, and others that may require sex offender registration.
Another policy increases the punishment for failure to make these disclosures a Class 6 felony. These updates enhance the district’s hiring process, ensuring that people with histories of abusing children are not put in positions of power over them in schools.
Another important development involves instructional and graduation standards. Policy IHA, which governs the district’s instructional program includes increased instructional time dedicated to the study of genocides. This policy seeks to ensure that students are educated on these critical historical events as part of their understanding of political violence and human rights. Similarly, Policy IKF incorporates these changes into the graduation requirements, so every high school graduate has a thorough grounding in this aspect of history.
To better support foster students, the board approved updates to Policy JFABC, which governs the transfer of academic credits for students in grades 9-12. This policy ensures that foster students who transfer between schools have their credits recognized, including partial credits, and allows local competency assessments to be administered to award credit for core courses. The district’s goal is to reduce academic disruptions for foster children, helping them achieve educational stability despite school changes.
The district’s open enrollment policy also saw revisions with the update to Policy JFB. Under this change, children of active-duty military personnel or those killed in the line of duty are now given enrollment preference, alongside other priority groups such as resident students and siblings of current enrollees. The goal is to support military families by ensuring their children can access district schools more efficiently.
Lastly, the board updated Policy JHD, which governs exclusions and exemptions from school attendance, and Policy JLCD-R, which allows schools to administer emergency glucagon to diabetic students. These updates ensure that the district remains aligned with current state laws and medical practices, safeguarding student health and well-being.
In other business, the board:
* Approved past meeting’s minutes and the ratification list.
* Approved the hiring of Alaya Candelaria, Carmelita James and Shyanne Vargas as emergency substitutes, and Debra Kamzelski as a Jefferson Elementary School paraprofessional.
* Approved the following band/orchestra volunteers: Misty Benham, Jaynel Graymountain, Taylor Gerber, Anna Hairell, Berkley Hendricks, Gideon Hendricks, Stephanie Luther, Darcee McKee, Codie Rivera, Sergio Rivera, Sylvia Steele, Aimee Tafoya, Daniel Tafoya, McKayle Wallace, Cliff Wells, Harmony Wells, and Iris Wells.
* Approved Aaron Canyon and Jackie Williams as volunteers for Winslow Junior High School football.
* Approved the following fundraisers: Student Council, snack cart after school, sports concession stands and carnival games at the Standin’ on the Corner festival; Honor Society carnival games at Standin’ on the Corner Festival; and Jefferson Elementary School for Friday snack sales.
* Approved a memorandum of understanding with Navajo County for the county superintendent office to reimburse the district $2.95 per mile to transport students.
* Approved Jennifer Sanderlin and Lisette Wilkie as check signers for the district.
The next meeting of the WUSD school board will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, in the meeting room, located at 800 N. Apache Ave.
