New Career Center Is Founded

By Sam Conner
   Prescott Winslow unveiled the new support organization he founded, the Center for Career and College Advising, at the Jan. 20 meeting of the Winslow School District Governing Board.
   He explained the foundation, the work it does in supporting the implementation of the Education and Career Action Plan, and how it provides free career and college advising for high school juniors and seniors, and their families.
   The board enjoyed a performance by the Winslow High School Speech and Debate Team, which was introduced by sponsor Sarah Smithson. The team recently finished fourth in an 18-team Valley Christian High School Tournament.
   Smithson introduced Kamber Maine, president of the team, who spoke of the benefits of speech and debate, thanked the board for its support, and introduced team members Brian Powell, Nicolas Taha and Justin Solis. The team is preparing for the Winslow Tournament in March.
   WHS Principal Chris Gilmore spoke and thanked the school staff for their hard work at recent basketball tournaments and the Doc Wright Wrestling Tournament. He said that the events went well and were positive for the city, as well as the high school. He noted that Winslow football player Ty Hancock had been selected by the Valley of the Sun chapter of the National Football League Foundation as one of 41 senior athletes chosen to receive a scholarship. Hancock was one of 11 first team members and will be honored on March 6 in Phoenix. Gilmore also invited the board to attend the Wall of Honor ceremonies and reception at the Winslow-Holbrook basketball games. The ceremony featured the honoring of Harry Hancock, Sam Conner and Sue Crumrine.
   The board adopted 43 items revising the Governing Board Policy Manual, nullified the current and past policies of the district, and adopted the policy manual developed with the assistance of the Arizona School Boards Association. These changes were done as old business items.
   The board approved the hiring of Linda Begay and Cassandra Plynes as district substitute teachers, Shelly Cunningham as CTE director, Jenny Decker and Georgia Foehner as district emergency substitute teachers, and Clyde Wideman Sr. as a part-time district substitute bus driver.
   Retirement and participation in the district retirement program was approved for Washington School custodian Marilyn Sundwall, effective May 30.
   Donations were accepted from the General Mills Box Tops for Education Program of $325 for Washington Elementary School, from Jimmy and Linda Cox of $600 for the Winter Classic Basketball Tournament, from Walmart of approximately $600 worth of school supplies for Bonnie Brennan School, and from Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hute of a new microwave oven for Bonnie Brennan School.
   The board designated the superintendent, assistant superintendent, principals of all schools and their designees as qualified evaluators for 2010.
   Backbone Communications was named as a sole provider for software. The district has used this software for a number of years and Backbone Communications is the only provider of updates and technical support.
   Two textbooks, “A Banking Customer Simulation” and “Learning Microsoft Office 2007 Deluxe” were adopted. The books had been on display for the required 60 days. Special Education Director Peggy Elrod distributed a report from the Arizona Department of Education and noted what areas were in need of improvement. She also noted that the material used in the evaluation was two years old. Superintendent Doug Watson said during comments near the end of the meeting that the evaluation did not consider many improvements which he expects will show considerable improvement when included.
   Watson also reported on a phone call from the Chevelon Butte School District Governing Board considering continuing to educate their students in Winslow Schools. There are items to be researched and considered, such as the actual cost of that program. The school board is expected to address the issue at its next meeting.
   He also spoke of the difficulties caused by the state not having a balanced budget. School districts have to make serious adjustments when less money than promised and expected is received.