There were 50 gang-related incidents in the Douglas Unified School District last year, and that is the reason the district is making a second attempt to hire a School Resource Officer for district schools.

That and several other items were discussed at the regular meeting of the Douglas Unified School District Governing Board on Tuesday, May 1.

The district had attempted to work with the City of Douglas to hire a School Resource Officer last year, but the city council turned it down.

The recent gang fight at 15th Street Park helped precipitate this discussion, but Board President Charles Hoyack said gangs in the schools is one the district needs to address.

"School Resource Officer coverage would really help us keep on top of the problem. Sometimes you can be ignorant of a situation until it hits," he said.

He also pointed out that if the city council turns down the issue once again , the district should look to other law enforcement for assistance, including the Sheriff's Office.

Currently the Sierra Vista Police Department provides two to three officers to Buena High School.

Just prior to the meeting, the district also honored those retiring staff members.

Retiring are Paula Clough, 19 years with the district; Ken Cormier, 22 years, Rosalie Cummins 40 years, Ruth de Boer, 32 years, Sara Haines, 22 years; Janis Hoffman, 31 years; Thomas Jensen, 30 years; Don Jordan, 21 years; William Kimble, 23 years; and Susan Kramer, 26 years.

Also, Susan Molina, 22 years; Michelle Moore, 23 years; Socorro Moreno, 17 years; Michael Nava, 40 years; Tim Penix, 29 years; Veronica Price, 30 years; Randall Reed, 15 years; Benny Teo Rodriguez, 15 years; Alma Saspe, 15 years; Paul Shelton, 15 years; Ed Shisslak, 16 years; Karen Smith, 19 years; Brenda Tice, 31 years; nd Jean Tsuya, 24 years.

Relating to staff, the district also approved health insurance, including dental and eye care and life insurance bids. Returning instructors will see no increase in the health care cost, but retiring instructors will see a 12 percent increase in health care.

The district also tabled an appeal from Douglas High School instructor David Campas and will appoint a hearing officer to hear the matter, based on an opinion from the district's attorney.

In other action, the board:

€ Announced that Douglas High School has met all requirements for North Central Accreditation.

€ Approved a donation of miscellaneous items with a value of $720 fro m the Douglas Safeway store to Faras School.

€Approved the hiring of Huber Middle School seventh grade science teacher Becky Bonnell, at a base rate of $31,000.

€Approved out-of-state travel for Mitch Nelson to attend the National Athletic Trainers Association conference in Anaheim.

€ Approved certified and support staff hires for the 2007 Title I summer school program.

€Approved updated and new support staff job descriptions.

€Approved the resignation of Heather Shake at the end of the current school year.

€Approved the support staff resignations of Veronica Cruz, teachers aide at Douglas High School; and Robert Vasquez, maintenance coordinator.

€ Approved assignment of a student to kindergarten outside of compulsory attendance age requirements.

€ Approved a contract for a public relations DVD for the school district. The DVD will be approximately 12 minutes long and will feature information about each school.

Approved an addendum to the intergovernmental agreement with the Cochise Technology District for the provision of joint technological educational courses.

Approved a revision on graduation requirements to meet state requirements.

Approved the first reading to revisions of current policy including Support Staff Vacations and Holidays, Use of Technology in Office Services, and Electronic email.

€ Reviewed a DHS block schedule update.