Winslow School Board Hears Gang Problem Has Improved

By Sam Conner
   The Winslow School District Governing Board heard State Gang Task Force member Alicia Martinez report that the gang situation in Winslow and in the schools has improved over what was once the case. She and School Resource Officer Afton Foster of the Winslow Police Department addressed the school board Sept. 16. They were introduced by Winslow High School Principal Chris Gilmore during the call to the public portion of the meeting.
   Foster said that there is now very little gang activity in Winslow. He cited the reason for the improvement being that there are no longer known gang leaders in the community because a group of individuals who had been causing problems have left the area or been incarcerated.
   Martinez said that the situation in the community greatly improved once those individuals were gone. She said that there were virtually only a small number of problems in the school, and most were drug related and involved drug sales. She said that canine searches had proved to be a deterrent and that there had only been one drug incident in the Winslow schools this year.
   The board approved the hiring of some 15 persons and approval of a volunteer. Those hired included Andrew Watson as social studies teacher at Winslow High School; Ginger Fischer, part-time music aide at Washington and Jefferson schools, and substitute teacher; Mark McGowan, special education teacher at WHS; Eric Olson, fields and grounds worker; Marianne Richardson, part-time positive behavioral support teacher; Mary Sorenson and Marguerita Dickson, substitute bus drivers; Janice Gomez, part-time classroom aide at Jefferson School; Wes Davis, special education classroom aide at WHS; Allan Leonard, substitute teacher; and Sherry James, Jane Sanchez and Susan Warren, emergency substitutes. Jordan Payne was also approved as a volunteer football coach.
   The board approved accepting the donation of 12 advanced placement chemistry books from the Phoenix Desert AP Summer Institute for Winslow High School. The books are valued at $1,200. Superintendent Doug Watson reminded the board that the AP Summer Institute had been attended by Mrs. Baca and that the request was just to accept the donation of the books. There will be a request for adoption of the books once the required display period has passed.
   The board also approved the donation of $78.85 from the Target School Fundraising Project to WHS.
   The board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology, and between the district and the Navajo County Community College District for dual enrollment.
   The new position of assistant supervisor or fields and grounds maintenance was approved. The administration is said to be considering the future recommendation of one person as supervisor of buildings and grounds and two assistants, one for buildings and one for grounds.
   Watson addressed the issue of the salary for the human resources specialist. That person is now paid on the secretarial pay scale, but he suggested that the position should be paid as a financial assistant, as the position has greater responsibilities than secretaries do. The change was approved unanimously.
   During his comments, Watson said that with the retirement of Mrs. Henling, some positions and duties have been combined with the result being the saving of half a salary.
   Assistant Superintendent Heister said that he wanted to compliment Peggy Elrod and the principals on the work they have done with changes including inclusion and the students who came from Rainbow Accommodation School. He said that all were working hard and doing a good job.