In a preliminary audit, the Douglas Unified School District still has areas that need to be corrected, but Superintendent Gail Zamar said the items are easily corrected.

Sydney Estrella kicks off a presentation to the Douglas School Board about Huber Middle School’s Character Ambassadors. The class teaches students about responsibility, the value of hard work and their role in the class. Lucy Rosario is the teacher of the class.

The preliminary report was reviewed during the regular meeting of the Douglas Unified School District Governing Board on Tuesday, November 6.

One of the issues involved recording of students attendance. Director of Technology Javier Baca has already conducted a training session for administration to correct any deficicies.

Zamar also reported that the state has exceeded its expenditure limit, which could affect school finances later in the year.

Typically, in this case, the state has approved the increased limitation.

In personnel issues, the district agreed to accept the resignations of teachers Scott Edelen, a culinary arts teacher at the high school, with a $900 payment from him for liquidated damages; and Rebecca Bonnell, a seventh grade science teacher at Huber Middle School, with $1,500 in liquidated damages.

The district also terminated with cause of Gloria Meza, a security monitor at DHS.

In other action, the board:

• Approved the hiring of Martin Muecke, at a salary of $48,500, prorated, to serve as assistant principal at Huber Middle School.

• Approved substitute teachers/ASU student teachers Anne Mendoza, Priscilla Valenzuela, Jovani Lomeli, Jacqui Zamora and ASU student teachers Deborah Gerard, Celena Estrella, Rebecca Sasbe, Karina Ramirez and Michelle Hurtado.

• Approved stipends for extra duty to Jenny Thomas, $552 for Huber Middle School yearbook; and Fernando Morales, $773 for Ray Borane Student Council.

• Approved a stipend in the amount of $5,489 for David Campas for teaching World History during zero period at the high school.

• Approved stipends for the CTE/Tech Prep certified staff for CTE program articulation duties; approved stipend of $2,700  each semester for Luis Luna for coordination of CTE students enrolled in Information Technology CTE internship; and $600 each for school technology liaisons.

• Approved coaching staff hires Tony Rodriguez and Paco Esquer, assistant boys basketball coaches, $1,104; Doug Wright , Middle School wrestling coach, $1,104; David Saspe, Middle School wrestling coach, $1,104.

• Approved hiring of Intructional Aide (ELC/CTE) Maria Beltran; Special Ed Instructional Aide (Huber) Noemi Escalante; Special Ed Instructional Aides (Huber), Barbara Noriega and  Maritiza Mason;  Special Ed Instructional Aide (Sarah Marley), Maria Gonzalez; and Instructional Aide (Joe Carlson), Christian Andrade. All are paid a rate of $8.70 per hour.

• Approved volunteers Yolanda Ballesteros, parent volunteer at Joe Carlson; Michael Ames and Adolfo Villicana, assistant boys basketball coaches at the high school; and Mario Hernandez, assistant girls soccer coach at the high school.

• Approved a request to rescind a letter of resignation submitted by Maria Moreno, Food Service.

• Approved support staff resignations from Miranda Castillo, Instructional Aide-Huber; Manuel Aguila, Special Ed Instructional Aide, Huber; Victor Altamirano and Hector Martinez, security monitors at Douglas High School.

• Adopted goals for the Governing Board.

• Approved the renewal of intergovernmental agreement with Cochise College for dual credit courses.

• Approved revision to “Professional/Support Staff Leaves and Absences” policy.

DUSD #27 Governing Board goals

• Develop a strategic plan to support every District school’s efforts to meet or exceed state and federal standards for academic achievement; and to provide a safe, secure and positive environment.

• Attract, hire, develop, retain, and hold accountable effective personnel; and identify, recognize and reward employees who excel in the production of a good student.

• Promote and support effective communication between the Board, District employees, parents, students and the community to improve the flow of information and to improve understanding.

• Improve District budgeting and financial resources by seeking new funding sources.

• Provide the necessary and appropriate services to all eligible students, and improve extracurricular activities for all district students.

• That all board members continue with proftssional growth as board members by attending ASBA sponsored trainings/conferences.