Constance Benally

The special board meeting focused primarily on personnel matters and the superintendent search process. Key actions included discussion and possible action regarding the employment of Interim Superintendent Jamie Cole, which involved entering and exiting an executive session. Following this, a motion passed authorizing the Board President and Legal Counsel to establish a contract for the Interim Superintendent, although one member abstained due to concerns about previous employment and pay for both the Interim and Current Superintendents. A presentation from an ASBA Consultant regarding the Superintendent Search Process and Timeline was tabled by motion until the next board meeting, in case the interim rejects the contract. Future agenda items were established, including a report on Salutatorian and Valedictorian Procedures and a list of utilized consultants.

The agenda for the Special Board Meeting included the adoption of the agenda as presented by Administration. A key action item involved discussion and possible approval for out-of-state travel for several staff members to attend the IMPACT Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Additionally, the meeting included a report section noting a request for the district's list of utilized consultants to be provided to the board for future discussion.

The special governing board meeting included discussions and possible action regarding the hearing officer's findings and recommendations in a teacher termination matter. A statement was provided to the board, legal counsel, and attendees. The board also discussed items for a future agenda and upcoming board meetings.

The agenda included recognitions for the Tuba City High School Football team, a call to the public addressing concerns about counselor payments and personnel issues, and discussions on employee resignations, volleyball intramurals coaching resignations, classified employment contracts, coaching recommendations, and beyond contract addendums. The board also reviewed and commented on the Superintendent's and Assistant Superintendent's reports, as well as building/department reports. Furthermore, the board discussed and took action on various financial matters, including donations, after-the-fact payments, acceptance of the US Department of Justice COPS SVPP Grant, approval of Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) as a sole source vendor, and a budget proposal for athletic facility upgrades. They also discussed and approved the first reading of several Arizona School Boards Association Policy Services Advisory volumes and the Indian Policies and Procedures (IPP) for the 2026-2027 school year. Travel requests were reviewed and approved, including out-of-state travel for conferences and the senior class trip to New York City. The board also entered an executive session to discuss a teacher termination matter.

The agenda included discussions and possible actions regarding beyond contract pay for exceptional student service teachers, approval of a certified employment contract, and an update regarding the employment of a high school business teacher, including concerns about the teacher's treatment of students. The board also discussed items for future agendas and upcoming board meetings.