A positive turned into a negative as discussion about the trip to China by the soccer teams quickly degraded into a verbal altercation between Douglas Unified School District  Board President Charles Hoyack and Superintendent Earl Petit.

The brief argument occurred during the regular meeting of the board on Tuesday, September 2.

Petit introduced the idea near the end of the two-plus hour meeting. He had travelled with groups to China previously and had presented the idea to the soccer team, coaches and parents in mid-August.

The cost of the trip would be about $80,000 and take place over a two week period around Spring Break in March.

Petit briefly discussed the trip and then showed an eight-minute video on their last trip.

At the end of the video, the board asked  soccer coaches Ken Cormier and Angelica Chavez for their remarks,

Bother said they were excited about the prospect when it came up in mid-August, but both had changed their minds concerning the trip.

Cormier said he had personal and school conflicts that would prevent him from making the trip. He said that both of his assistant coaches also said they would be unavailable due to personal or work conflicts.

Cormier said he had a personal family trip already planned and soccer team  games and events had already been scheduled that would have interfered with either the trip or fundraising.

Chavez was concerned whether her top six girls would go, girls she had worked with for years. If they couldn’t go, the trip wouldn't be any “fun,” she said. She also questioned whether 16 weeks was enough for the fundraising.

As their explanations went on, Petit’s face reddened.

“This illustrates one of the problems we have in the district, lack of communications,” Petit said. He said he had not heard any change of attitude about the trip  until now. He said he was upset because the coaches had wasted the board’s and his time, when if he had been told prior to the meeting, it could have been removed from the agenda.

Petit also said that in the past when coaches decided not to go, they had others serve as a coach, indicating that the coaches first priority should have been with the student athletes.

That is when Hoyack jumped in defending the coaches and questioning Petit’s statement. He also got in Petit’s face concerning his comment about being in charge of fundraising for the event.

“The board is in charge of approving any fundraising and that is the way it is going to stay,” Hoyack said. The verbal altercation lasted about two minutes, and then settled back down before the item was removed from the agenda.

In other action, the board:

  • Approved the following donations, $150 from The Bagnall Company’s “Building Our Client’s Communities” program; and $50 from Danny Verdugo and Ernesto Melendez, on behalf of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, for Sarah Marley

• Approved the following fundraising activities for district schools: Clawson Elementary, Faras Elementary, Joe Carlson Elementary, Sarah Marley Elementary, Stevenson Elementary, Ray Borane Middle School, Paul Huber Middle School and Douglas High School

• Approved 301 Performance Pay Plans for 2008/2009 school year for the Counselors (high school/middle school/elementary), Nurses and Librarians (high school/middle school)

• Approved the following Human Resource items (certified): Addenda in the amount of $1500 each for CTE Career & Technical Ed Student Organization sponsors: Ken Cormier, Lourdes Mora, Gilbert Rojas (DECA); David Diaz, Ed Gorman, Luis Luna, Mark Silverstein, Louie Tartaglia, Albert Young (Skills USA); Mitchell Nelson (HOSA); Brita Groves (FFA); and Mary Thomas (Skills USA/CCAP).

Also, addenda in the amount of $1,475 each for CTE instructors for curriculum and coursework development: Ed Gorman (Auto Tech); Ken Cormier, Lourdes Mora, Gilbert Rojas (Marketing); David Diaz (Drafting & Design); Clint Hill (Fire Science); Luis Luna (Information Tech); Mitchell Nelson (Sports Medicine); Brita Groves (Ag Business Management); Mary Morris (Education Professions); Donna Savill (Biomedical PLTW); Mark Silverstein (Stardust Media Tech); Louie Tartaglia (Law & Security); Mary Thomas (Culinary Arts); Sandy Uterhardt (Early Childhood Ed); Feng Yang (Pre-Engineering PLTW); Albert Young (Graphics Design); Addenda in the amount of $500 each for CTE teachers and counselor for Tech Prep dual credit articulation: Ed Gorman (Auto Tech); Ken Cormier, Lourdes Mora, Gilbert Rojas (Marketing); David Diaz (Drafting & Design); Clint Hill (Fire Science); Luis Luna (Information Tech); Mitchell Nelson (Sports Medicine); Brita Groves (Ag Business Management); Mary Morris (Education Professions); Donna Savill (Biomedical PLTW); Mark Silverstein (Stardust Media Tech); Louie Tartaglia (Law & Security); Mary Thomas (Culinary Arts); Sandy Uterhardt (Early Childhood Ed; Feng Yang (Pre-Engineeririg FLTW); Albert Young (Graphics Design). Addendum in the amount of $1,940 for Amy Paulrneyer, CTE Counselor, for duties associated with CTE program/course articulation as delineated under the Cochise College Tech Prep grant agreement.

And, hires — middle school coaches/assistant coaches for the 2008/2009 school year: Frank Bustamante (Asst. Football Coach $883); Doug Wright (Asst. Football Coach $883); Doug Wright (Boy’s Basketball Coach $1104); Paco Esquer (Asst. Basketball Coach $1104);  David Saspe (Wrestling Coach $1104); Melissa Laborin (Boy’s Track Coach $1104); Rosela Arvayo (Girl’s Track Coach $1104)’; volunteer coaches for the 2008/2009 school year: Gus Enriquez, Rene Nuñez, Robert Long (football); Mary Morris (cross country); Martin Valenzuela (golf); Michael Ames, Adolfo Villicaña, Alfonso Acosta (boys basketball); Michael Ramirez; Antoine Moulinet (wrestling); Mario Romero (girls soccer); Marco Romero (boys soccer); Carlos Chavez, Clint Hill, John Mariscal, Serge Davila, Jesus Granados, Max Tapia, Steve Ortiz, Rene Valencia, Eric Valenzuela, Oscar Romero, Ken Cormier (baseball).

• Approved hiring emergency certified Math teacher (DHS) — Michael Molina — at a total salary of $30,431.64 (all amounts prorated for 161 contract days);  D-PASS credit recovery Math teacher hire — Michael Molina — at a total salary of $5,500 per semester, to be paid bi-weekly.

• Hired substitute teachers: Gregoria Barco (certified-retired), $80/day; Sergio Mendez (certified-retired) ,  $80/day; Chris Moore-Backman (certified),  $70/day.

• Addenda in the amount of $1,718.75 for ELD 4-hour block of instruction for the following: Lucy Fernandez (RBMS), Eve Brown (Faras), Virginia Mendez (HMS), Shannon Hernandez (HMS), Ana Samaniego (HMS); partial compensation to the following because they will be sharing responsibilities: Liza Morales - $572.92 (RBMS), Margaret Waag $286.46 (RBMS); Addenda in the amount of $1,800 for Mary Morris for coordination of the DUSD CTE Student Internship program for 2008/2009 school year.

• Approved pay for DHS teachers for teaching an extra class during planning and/or zero period (1/6 or 1/12 salary); DHS class/club sponsors; AIMS intervention teachers, department chairs: Fernando Hurtado, Class Sponsor (Seniors)    $717; Paula Beacom, Class Sponsor (Seniors), $717; Lorenia Tapia, Class Sponsor (Juniors), $662; David Campas, Class Sponsor (Juniors), $662; Louie Tartaglia, Class Sponsor (Sophomore), $607; Teresa Gallardo, Class Sponsor (Sophomore), $607; Norma Ramos, Class Sponsor (Freshman), $552; Brian Yoder, Class Sponsor (Freshman), $552; Ron Ellsworth, Physical Education Dept., $2638; Andrea Arnejo, Science Dept., $1921; Bianca Hernandez, Math Dept., $2141; Jill Forsythe, English Dept., $2141; and Ruth DeBoer, Special Education Dept., $2638.

Also, Albert Young, CTE Dept., $3301; David Campas, Social Science Dept., $2108; Fernando Hurtado, Fine Arts Dept., $2,671; Lourdes Mora, Yearbook Sponsor, $1656; Susan Molina, Student Council, $2859; Emilio Gonzalez, Band Director, $1954; Bianca Hernandez, National Honor Society, $883; Chaelyn Fredrickson, Academic Decathlon, $2980; Ron Ellsworth, Driver’s Education (0 period), $7750; Ron Ellsworth, Physical Education, $7750; Diego Guerrero, English, $4867; Jill Forsythe, English, $6650; Virginia West, English, $4800; Andrea Arnejo, Science    , $5083; Donna Savill, Science, $5850; Barry Horst, Science, $6100: and David Campas, US History, $6817.

And, Richard Paun, Art, $6650; Luis Cañez, Math, $4867; Barbara Downey, Math, $5517; Teresa Gallardo, Math, $5517; John Mariscal, Math, $7383; Alexa Hernandez, AIMS Intervention, $4867; Chaelyn Fredrickson, AIMS Intervention, $5517; Brian Yoder, AIMS Intervention, $4800; Robert Fitzhugh, AIMS Intervention, $6200; Juanita Almader, AIMS Intervention, $4867; Rector Cañez, AIMS Intervention, $4800; Abigail Griffin, AIMS Intervention, $2400; andMary Helen Walker, AIMS Intervention,$2733.

 • Approved pay for elementary and middle school sponsors; and for middle school teachers teaching an additional class during zero period: Maria Ruiz Student Council, (Stevenson), $773; Gustavo Enriquez, Student Council (Faras), $331 (B-3); Eduardo Molina, Student Council (Faras), $331; Maria Sexton, Student Council (Carlson), $276; Corinna Monje, Student Council (Carlson), $276; Dora Mendoza, Student Council (SMarley), $276; Edmund Garcia, Student Council (SMarley), $276; Erica Vasquez, Student Council (S Marley), $276; Dolores Arredondo, Student Council (Clawson), $552; Mitch Lindemann, Band Director (HMS), $1876; Diane Martinez    NJHS (HMS), $552; Michelle Hurtado, Yearbook (HMS). $552; Judy Riddle, Computer Club, (RBMS), $552; Judy Riddle, Yearbook (RBMS), $552; Fernando Morales, Student Council (RBMS), $773; and Rosemary Owen, NJHS (RBMS), $552.

• The following teachers will be paid 1/6th of their base salary for teaching an additional class during zero period: Jana Selchow, Librarian (RBMS/HMS), $7467; and Mitch Lindemann, Band (HMS), $7783.

• Voted 4-0 against paying $1,000 for Donna Savill for revision and compilation of all district job descriptions. This task should be completed by Human Resources, the board said.

• Approved by a 3-1 margin (Hoyack dissenting) to pay  $150/day each (with total each not to exceed $2,000) for new, first year teachers to attain highly qualified status in the area of SET:

√ CLAWSON Yecenia Mendez, Donna Howard, Crystal Backman, Ashley Eisenbrei, Ibana Rascon, Georgia McAfee.

√ DHS Ed Gorman, Cesar Gonzales, Eliza Novoa, Frances Siatta, Melissa Nanez, Deborah Sattertield, Feng Yang, Patty Alatorre, Math, Eric Coppes, Brita Groves, Brian Yoder, Burke Richardson, Mark Silverstein.

√ JOE CARLSON Leticia Garcia, Kathy Rickel, Rebecca Saspe.

√ FARAS Sidney Fimbres.

√ HUBER Shannon Hernandez, Melissa Rodriguez. Michelle Hurtado, Celena Estrella.

√ RBMS Victoria Houlihan, Lee Hayes, Brad Lindsay.

√ STEVENSON Ron Shelton.

√ OSI Cynthia Cardona.

Named as Qualified Evaluators: DHS - Richard Acosta, Bonnie Lopez, Dan Bates, Earl Simmons; HMS — Martin Muecke, Gloria Arzate; RBMS — Judy Herbert; Stevenson — Rafael Ortiz; Clawson — Andrea Overman; Faras — Claudia leon, Cyndy Ortega; Joe Carlson — Jan Gallagher; Sarah Marley — Edmund Garcia; ELC — Sandy Uterhardt. Leanne Marston, Beverly Enriquez (OSI), Kathy Ballard (Induction Coach), Paula Clough (Ed Tech Coordinator), Rob Doctor (CTE Director), Randy Walker (Athletics Director), Earl Pettit (Supt.), Mary Good (HR Director).

The following will he qualified evaluators once they have attended trainings offered through AZ School Administrator Assn. (as a): Ray Borane MS - Nick Schuerman, Rene Villalva; HMS — Cliff Dunlap.

• Approved hiring the following coaches, Head coach — girls basketball (DHS) — Clint Hill — salary of $3422; Assistant coach — MS football — Sammy Cox — salary of $883

Approved hiring the following instructors, 5th grade teacher (Joe Carlson) — Patricia Peterson — salary of  $35,415 (all amounts will he prorated once actual start date is known); and Physical Ed teacher (boys — RBMS) — Brycen Wesen — salary of $28,482.66 (all amounts prorated for 158 contract days); Instructional Aide (Clawson) — Luis Alvarez — hourly rate of $8.87.

• Approved volunteers: Amanda Rojas (ELC); Frances Ovando (HMS); Carol Melis (Sarah Marley); Patricia Chambers and Susan Kramer (Clawson); Lydia Ebner (Stevenson).

• Approved addenda in the amount of $1000 each: School Technology Liaisons — Ibana Rascon (Clawson), Gilbert Rojas (DHS), Joanie Duarte (Faras), Roxana Martinez (Joe Carlson), Angelica Rios (Sarah Marley), Maria Ruiz (Stevenson), Luis Luna (DHS), Pat Kehi (HMS), Judy Riddle (RBMS).

• Approved DPASS credit recovery program — Dr. Earl Simmons -$6960.50 per semester and $5000 for summer for administration — 2008/2009 school year; Chaelyn Fredrickson - $5,500 per semester and $3000.00 for summer school — 2008/2009 school year.

• Approved the resignations of Maria Parmley (cafeteria worker I) effective 8/1/08; Alexandra Dal Pozzo (Sped TA-S Marley) effective 7/31/08; Simon G. Elias (TA-HMS) effective 8/15/08; Edgardo Pedrego (food service driver) effective 9/4/08.

• Approved classified hires,  Custodian (S Marley) — William Howard — hourly rate of $8.96; Custodian (HMS and Central Office) — Martha Gallegos — hourly rate of $8.75; Cafeteria Worker I — Susan Valencia — hourly rate of $6.90 ; Cafeteria Worker I — Guadalupe Ramirez — hourly rate of $6.90; Cafeteria Worker I — Anna Behrens — hourly rate of $7.07; D-PASS Secretary — Paul Dahl — hourly rate of $10.14; Network Administrator (IT) — Marco Durazo — salary of $32,410.50; and revision to pay — 5% for additional CTE/DECA duties — Carol Perez, DHS Bookstore Manager. Funded thru CTE.

• Approved reclassifications — New Student Center registrar and DHS registrar, from Categories IX and VI respectively to Category XII; revisions/update of job descriptions — Receptionist (central office) —revised to Secretary II, additional duties/responsibilities added.

• Approved of sole source procurement from IGNITE for Schools for training and program support.

• Appproved Declaration of Curricular and Instructional Alignment to AZ Academic Standards in Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.

• Approved out of state travel for Dan Bates, DHS Assistant Principal, to attend the National Drop-Out Prevention conference in Atlanta, GA on November 16-20, 2008. Tabled discussion on  out of state travel for district staff - RobDoctor Lourdes Mora, Gilbert Rojas, and Maria Figueroa; students — Chantal Jimenez, Hector Rosales, Miriam Herrera, Jennifer Trevino,Armando Corrales and Chrystal Maldonado to attend the DECA New York Experience in New York, NY on December 2-7, 2008, due to lack of information.

• Voted 3-1 against elimination of job description for Health, Safety, and Property Control Agent.

• Approved second reading of revisions to DUSD #27 Policy Manuals after review performed by AZ School Boards Association.

The next  regular board meeting is October 7, 2008

Fall break  is October 13-17,  All schools, school offices will be closed.

Central administration and central receiving offices will be closed on October 13 for Columbus Day..