During last week’s meeting of the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board meeting last week, Superintendent Dr. Amber Martinez presented on the progress that has been made to repair Bonnie Brennan Elementary School that was shut down due to recent flooding. She told them that the basketball court and ground slope that previously pushed water toward the building have now been removed and regraded. “The dirt’s been leveled, and then we also put a walkway to the playground, to the swings, so it’s ADA compliant so some of our preschool children who are in wheelchairs can get out to the playground,” she told the board.
She noted that additional safety repairs have been made to prevent potential flooding issues in the future. “We also sealed up some of the vents. The vents weren’t used anymore, and water was able to get into the building from those vents.” Bathrooms in the affected hallway have reopened, and preschool students are returning next week. Although the superintendent added that the other wing of the school still has a lot of work to go before it can accept students again.
Board members thanked staff for persevering through classroom disruptions during repairs. Board Member Dodie Montoya said, “Working in half a classroom and trying to teach children, that’s pretty rough. So kudos to them, because they’re awesome.”
The board then voted to award Dr. Martinez the full amount of her performance pay. In the contract for superintendent, Martinez was eligible for additional pay if a survey of parents came back higher than a 90% approval of the district. Parent survey results came in at 88.85%, just below the 90% threshold required in her contract, but board members voted to award that pay. Board Member Dodie Montoya noted, “We were without a superintendent or acting superintendent for about two weeks,” and said Martinez “came in on her own time and volunteered for two weeks without pay… you don’t find very many people that work for nothing.” Board Member Janice Childers said, “Her being here just four months — that’s a really good improvement.” The motion to award the full $2,500 passed unanimously.
The district also recognized five teachers who recently completed graduate degrees through Grand Canyon University, including some who earned a second master’s degree. Dr. Martinez noted the intense commitment required, saying, “Just know that it’s hard to try to teach class, take classes and be there for your family.” Dr. Martinez said she had already written to each graduate to congratulate them and tell them that they are proud of the accomplishment.
Board members also highlighted October Employees of the Month. Grounds staff member Rudy Aragon was recognized for campus maintenance and support during the recent flooding. “When we were swimming in two feet of water and mud and Larissa (Principal Larissa Richards) was out of town. Rudy was the only one to give me his number and say, ‘call me whenever,’” Dr. Martinez said. High school construction teacher Brian Sewell was also honored for leading improvements to athletic facility spaces and involving students in the work.
Business Manager Casey Hancock reported expenditures of $2.7 million through September, representing 15% of the annual budget at the one-quarter mark of the fiscal year. Student count adjustments will inform the next budget revision. Martinez also reported upcoming campus threat assessments by the Winslow Police Department, and the upcoming Native American Festival on November 11 at the Route 66 Plaza.
In other business, the board:
* Accepted a donation to Bonnie Brenan Elementary School from School store Reading for Education for $97.90.
* Approved hiring the following as substitute teachers: Deborah Hoover, Veronica Nelson, Charlene Betts and Sarah Breeze.
* Approved hiring Madeline Jones as a paraprofessional and David Achibeque as a part time driver.
* Approved a resignation from Alexis Vargas as an emergency substitute.
* Approved moving Janeen Barton from inclusion paraprofessional to high needs paraprofessional.
* Approved Johnny Ortega as a volunteer crossing guard and Jennifer Yazzie for freshman girls basketball head coach.
* Approved out-of-state travel for Jeff McCrickard and Brady Needens to Austin, Texas, to learn a new system for submitting work orders for transportation, IT, maintenance and grounds.
* Approved Arizona School Boards Association policy update to remove duplicated language from a policy regarding purchasing procedures.
The next regular meeting of the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board will be held November 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the district boardroom located at 800 N. Apache.
