RBMS Student Sabori recognized by DUSD Board

At the January 24 Douglas school board meeting Mr. Brad Linsday, a teacher at Ray Borane Middle School introduced one of his students, Pedro Sabori, to the Douglas School Board of Education.

Sabori a, 7th grader, was recently recognized as Denny’s Biggest Fan. He wrote an essay about the Denny’s restaurant, which now will be published in the Denny’s magazine that goes out to over 2,000 Denny’s Restaurants throughout the United States.

“I’m so proud of be teaching Pedro Sabori, he is a dream student,” Linsday said. “Pedro gives my class some hope that what they can do can count.”

Sabori was giving a plaque, a banner naming him Denny’s Biggest Fan, $100 gift certificate from Denny’s and a Kindle by Franchise Business Leader David Burckett and Eddie Rivera, President of ECA Enterprises. Douglas’ Mayor Dr. Michael Gomez also presented Sabori with his own good luck charm. Mayor Gomez told Pedro this was something he kept in his pocket as a reminder of his faith and he wanted him to have.

Pedro addressed the board saying “I really don’t know what to say about all of this. It’s amazing what you can do with a small story, you just got to keep working; keep studying.”

“I think it’s very important for the board to hear and the community to hear the good things going on,” DUSD Superintendent Sheila Rogers said.

Rogers then presented the board with more positive news. On January 24 the University of Arizona South meet with some of the districts instructional assistants about a possible program helping them get into teacher education especially especial education. She also stated that the school district is working on another program with the U of A South that will be brought to the board at the next meeting.

Rogers said that she had received an email from the U of A Poetry Center stating that Douglas High School Student Saul Ocano had been selected as one of the top 50 semi-finalist for his entry of “El Corrido de Gabriela Giffords”.

“It’s a nice honor for our district,” she said.

In other action at the meeting it was announced Joe Carlson Elementary School will be receiving an Energy Star building recognition. Joe Carlson is one of the nation’s most energy efficient schools.

Raul and Rebecca Montano presented a $150 donation to the Douglas High School Starfish Club.

The board also approved the hiring of Jesus Armenta as a substitute teacher, Jason Long as a volunteer the for Douglas High School boy’s tennis team. A correction was made from January 12 board meeting, Allison Vaughn as Agriculture Education volunteer not Land Lab volunteer. Miguel Esquer was also approved as a bus driver.

Patrick Casodos will be resigning as Special Education Instructional Aide at Douglas High School effective Jan. 9, 2012. Jose J. Valenzuela will resign as alternate to suspension monitor at Douglas High School effective immediately. Guadalupe Acosta changed his retirement date from July 1 to May 24; Sally A. Quinonez, Special Education Instructional Aide at Douglas High School will be retiring effective May 23 and Joe Stemple Special Education Instructional Aide at Sarah Marley Elementary School will be resigning effective January 27.

An addendum for extra duties and responsibilities was made for Fernando Quinonez as the interim maintenance coordinator Fernando Quinonez. An Increase in hours from 30 to 35hours a week was made for Roberta Suarez, Special Education Instructional Aide, Faras Pre-school as well as Michelle Ortega, Transportation Data Clerk, who saw her hours increase from 20 to 40 hours per week.

The board also approved out of state travel, registration fees, lodging and airfare for Lucy Rosario to attend the professional development opportunity conference for Project Lead the Way (PLTW) in Austin, Texas on February 23-24. Funding will come from the Basic Grant. Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education curricular programs used in middle and high schools across the U.S.

The board will meet again at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 when it holds its regular monthly meeting. A work study session will be held on the district’s budget at the Feb. 21 meeting.

Both meetings are open to the public.