Douglas Unified approves multiple hires, transfers and resignations

The Douglas Unified School district board approved multiple personnel actions at a public meeting, including certified and classified hires, certified and classified resignations, an administrative transfer and several ESI appointments for the 2025–26 school year.

Board members voted to approve the certified hires after the administration presented emergency substitute teachers and classroom appointments for 2025–26. The administration described the certified hires as including emergency substitutes and classroom teachers; the transcript lists “4 teaching positions” but also enumerates items numerically (the exact number of specified positions in the transcript is unclear). The motion to approve the certified hires passed on a roll call with all voting members recorded as "yes."

The board approved one classified hire, recommending Armando Arias as transportation and warehouse supervisor. District staff said Arias has supervisory experience with county probation and holds a bachelor’s degree in business management. After his approval, Arias introduced himself at the podium, saying, “I look forward to working with everybody in the district.”

The board also approved certified resignations (teachers who will not return next year) and a classified resignation effective at the end of the school year; both items were moved and approved by roll call with the members recorded as voting yes.

Separately, the board approved a certified administrative transfer: Priscilla Cordova was recommended for the assistant principal position at Paul Huber Middle School following the resignation of the prior administrator. Cordova, introduced at the meeting, said she has worked in the district since 2010 and that she is “very excited” to begin the new role. School staff noted Cordova participated in a district master’s administration program and will work with the principal at Paul Huber.

An internal certified transfer (Mister Lucero from Paul Huber to Joe Carlson) was presented as information only and required no board vote.

The board also approved three ESI appointments recommended by administration: Mrs. Herrera (ESI principal at Clawson), Henry Jones (ESI teacher at Douglas High School) and Sophie Renault (ESI teacher at Douglas High School). Board members praised the district’s ESI program during discussion, describing the hires as bringing experience and “an abundance of knowledge” that will benefit students.

Actions recorded on the personnel items show motions were made and carried by roll call; the transcript records each item as passing with the participating board members voting yes.

The district did not specify effective start dates, salary details or the full list of classroom positions in the public transcript; those items were described as “as presented” by administration. Questions about position control and internal staffing were raised and answered during the meeting.

Board members closed the personnel portion of the agenda and proceeded to later items. No appeals, reversals or requests to re-open any approved personnel actions were recorded in the public portion of the transcript.