Next year was on the minds  of the Douglas Unified School District Governing Board at its most recent meeting as they bid farewell to departing staff and hired several summer and regular school year instructors.

In a reception prior to the meeting, the board honored those retirees leaving full-time employment with the district. Those retiring included instructors Trudy Barraza, 33 years with the district; Henry Beumler, eight years; Paula Clough, 20 years; Fernando Hurtado, 21 years; Michelle Kimble, 25 years;l Brian Long, 29 years; Rita Long, 29 years; Frank Molina, 20 years; Lourdes Quijada, 23 years; Connie Scherden, 23 years; and Richard Shemanski, 11 years.

Support staff retirees include Dolores Arvizu, 19 years; Irma Flores, 38 years; Connie Lopez, 29 years; Lily Pinto, 31 years; and Mary Siddons, 33 years.

During the meeting, the board also approved an increase of up to 2 percent for all district employees.

In other action, the board:

• Approved the  second reading of revision to Policy GCCC “Professional/Support Staff Leaves of Absence Without Pay;” Policy JR “Student Records;” and Policy IHB “Special Instructional Programs”

• Approved 2008/2009 revised Gifted Scope & Sequence for submission to the AZ Department of Education, Gifted Education Division.

• Approved donation of computer network equipment with an approximate total market value of $149,745 from Wilson Elementary School District.

• Approval of the new job description, SAIS Specialist; and revised job description, Network Administrator.

• Approval of certified and support staff hires for the 2008 Title 1 summer school.

The board also approved DHS summer school staff hires, including David Campos and Jamie Tadeo, U.S. History; Ray Shelton, Economics/Civics; Ron Ellsworth, Driver’s ED; Ken Cormier, Economics; Teresa Gallardo, John Cadigan, Bianca Hernandez, John Mariscal and Don Jordan, Math; and Chaelyn Fredrickson, Alexa Hernandez, Hector Canez, Yogi Khalsa, Diego Guerrero, Annamay Stern and Abigail Griffin, English.

• Approved  D-PASS credit recovery summer program staff hires, Gilbert Rojas and Jose Valenzuela, instructional aides; and Clarissa Elias, data clerk.

• Approved  Migrant school-to-work summer program hire, Gilbert Rojas.

• Approved Special Services Director hire, Dara Logan, at a salary of $67,650;  CTE Counselor (DHS) hire, Amy Paulmeyer, at a total salary of $44,448; School Psychologist (part-time) hire, Janet Hackley, at an hourly rate of $72.40l; CTE Auto Shop (DHS) teacher, Ed Gorman, at a total salary of $34,690.00;  English teacher (DHS) hire, Brian Yoder, at a total salary of $33,390.00;  Seventh grade English teacher (HMS) hire, Shannon Hernandez, at a a total salary of $33,390;  English teacher (DHS) hire, Jonathan Downing, at a total salary of $35,590; Math teacher (DHS) hire, Spyros Karoris, at a  total salary of $35,990;  Math teacher (DHS) hire, Feng Yang, at a total salary of $41,190; Seventh grade Science teacher (RBMS) hire, Victoria Houlihan, at a total salary of $32,990; and first grade teacher (Clawson) hire, Yecenia Mendez, at a total salary of $32,990.

Also, approved hire of  second grade teacher (Clawson), Ibana Rascon, at a total salary of $32,990; first grade teacher (Clawson) hire, Donna Howard, at a total salary of $32,990; fourth grade teacher (Joe Carlson) hire, Rebecca Saspe, at a total salary of $32,990;  and fifth grade teacher (Sarah Marley) hire, Melissa Rodriguez, at a total salary of $33,390.

• Approved summer maintenance crew hire.

• Approved a stipend  in the amount of $4,000 for Debra Thuma for additional duties/responsibilities as reading coach;  stipend in the amount of $4,000 for Cynthia Bohmfalk for additional duties/responsibilities as reading coach;  stipend in the amount of $138.00 for Corinna Monje for additional duties/responsibilities as student council sponsor @ Joe Carlson, for 2007/2008 (1/2 second semester);  stipend in the amount of $138.00 for Maria Sexton for additional duties/responsibilities as student council sponsor @ Joe Carlson, for 2007/2008 (1/2 second semester); stipend in the amount of $386.50 for Cynthia Bohmfalk for additional duties/responsibilities as student council sponsor @ Joe Carison, for 2007/2008 (first semester); and  stipend in the amount of $773 for Maria Ruiz for additional duties/responsibilities as student council sponsor @ Stevenson, for 2007/2008.

• Approved  the following certified staff resignations: Hilda Robles (Special Ed teacher @ RBMS) — end of the 2007/2008 school year; John Cadigan (Math teacher @ DHS) — end of the 2007/2008 school year; Christina Cadigan (Science teacher @ DHS) end of the 2007/2008 school year; and Paul Harrison (School Psychologist)

• Approved the following support staff resignations/retirements: Dolores Arvizu — retirement at the end of the 2007/2008 school year; Lilly Pintor (Cafeteria Manager) — retirement at the end of the 2007/2008 school year; Ruben Flores (Security Monitor @ RBMS)- resignation... .personal reasons; Alice Segar (TA @ Joe Carlson) — retirement at the end of the 2007/2008 school year; and Josefina Arevalo (Clerk II-NJSC) — resignation at the end of the 2007/2008 school year

• Approved revision to the FY 2007/2008 DUSD #27 budget as allowed by the state. Districts must make all revisions that result in a decrease in budget limits and districts may make any revisions that result in an increase..

• Approved a resolution with AZ School Risk Retention Trust, Inc. to appoint an the Authorized Representative of the District in all matters pertaining agreement between the district and the Trust.

Approved  General Statement of Assurance for FY2008/2009 with AZ Department of Education (ADE) for participation in any ADE administered program.

Approved  renewal of intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Cochise College for the Tech Prep program.

Approved fee of $1 for breakfast for district students who do not qualify for free or reduced meals.

Approved out of state travel for Donna Savill, Career and Technical teacher, to attend the Project Lead the Way (PTLW) Biomedical summer training institute at Purdue University.

Approved  revisions to Policy exhibit CCBA-ED “Counselors Salary Schedule;” and Policy exhibit GCBA-EE “Nurses Salary Schedule”

Approved  renewal of medical, dental, and vision insurance contracts.

Important dates

The  last day of school is May 22. Early release is 1 p.m. for students

Middle school completion ceremonies are  May 22:  RBMS at  5:00 PM - RBMS auditorium; Huber MS at  6:00 PM at DHS gym)

Douglas High School graduation — May 23, 2008

The next regular board is June 3.