Board hires Robert Long as DUSD attendance officer

Retired Department of Corrections Officer Robert Long was hired as the attendance officer for the Douglas Unified School District at its regular monthly board meeting March 20.

Long, who began working for the DUSD four months ago as a security guard, will be assisting newly elected Ward 5 City Councilman Luis Greer, in making sure students are attending school and checking in on those who are not.

In other action at the meeting the board met in executive session for 15 minutes before reconvening in open meeting to approve the registration and release of his contract for DHS principal Ralph Schneider who abruptly resigned March 8. The resignation and release of his contract did not come without a penalty however as the board agreed to penalize Schneider $1,500.

The board also approved the adoption for the textbook “History of the United States” for 11th grade students at Douglas High School.

DUSD Business Manager Cesar Soto reported the auction that was held March 17 resulted in $2,122 being brought into the district. The question, he told the board, is now finding out how the district can spend that money without violating any state laws.

The meeting began with students from the 21st Century Program’s cooking class providing a demonstration of what they have learned in their class plus a sample of some of their baked goods which the board willingly accepted and enjoyed.

Board member Dr. Ed Gomez joked these students were welcomed back any time and advised them when the next board meeting would take place.

The board also recognized the Douglas High School Future Educators of America students who placed first, third and fifth at a recent state competition.

Joe Carlson Elementary Principal Cyndy Ortega was also recognized by the board after her school was recently honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the Energy Star Award which goes to buildings who use 35 percent less energy and generate 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than similar buildings across the nation.

During the consent portion of the agenda the board approved the hiring of Stacey Green as the new DHS Bookstore Manager; Fernando Quinonez as the Facilities Coordinator effective July 1, 2012; Karla Campillo-Soto as the Improvement Specialist and Clarissa Forest and Jacqueline Durazo as substitute teachers.

DHS track coach Donna Savill and assistant softball coach Lorena Tapia had their coaches contracts approved after they were left off the June 21, 2011 board meeting agenda.

The next board meeting will take place April 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the board room of the Central Administration Building. The meeting will be open to the public.