Jazz band puts board ‘in the mood’ for business
The Ron Watson Middle School jazz band put everyone “In the Mood” for District One’s monthly business session with a rousing rendition of the Glenn Miller favorite.
The “pack” of Watson Wolves who make up the jazz ensemble are directed by music teacher Adele Hennig, who conducted the middle schoolers in four numbers for the board’s pleasure during the school showcase portion. Several students had solos during the numbers, which also included Maynard Ferguson’s “Chameleon.”
This is the first year the band has been active in a number of years, Hennig said.
The board meeting had a celebratory air, as Teacher of the Year nominees were recognized as were the districts “High Five” employees of the month. Pecan Grove Principal Matthew Kaste was also given a check from the Arizona Community Foundation for $25,000 so that the school can start an Advancement Via Individual Determination program next year.
“This grant will not only change the lives of the students at my school but ... make change in the Yuma community that will start a domino effect,” Kaste said.
The board also thanked donors who gave generously to several schools this past month, which totaled $23,420.26, with Board President Karen Griffin noting the Yuma community’s “continued generosity.”
Superintendent Jamie Sheldahl noted that two items needed to be pulled from the policy advisories sent out by the Arizona School Boards Association. One does not apply to the district, and another the board already adopted previously and amended to suit its needs.
District Preschool Coordinator Mary Beth Turner updated the board on the district’s preschool programs, which recently opened an inclusion classroom in partnership with Arizona Western College. The preschool program has about 200 students across the district at four sites.
The board approved a contract with Right At School for after-school programming. The organization gives about 4 percent of its revenues to the schools it serves. Sheldahl noted that whatever funds the district gets from the organization will be put back into the program in the form of scholarships for low-income students. The board also approved grant writer Terry Lowe to sit on the North Star of Yuma board of directors.
During the call to the public, the board was asked to move into executive session by speaker Zeferino Felix, who is an employee of the district. Griffin said that an executive session would need to be scheduled to hear Felix’s comments, as state law requires 24 hour notice for such a session. The item pertaining to Felix’s employment was also removed from the consent agenda.
Chief Financial Officer Denis Ponder reported that attendance figures continue to fluctuate from month to month, as is usual given Yuma County’s fluid military and agriculture worker population. He also noted that the budget presented to board members does not reflect the increase in enrollment that the district is experiencing.