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Sonoita board approves FY27 contracts, hires and extracurricular staffing
Summary
At its March 3 meeting, the Sonoita Governing Board approved a broad set of FY27 personnel contracts and step increases, appointed late-spring coaches (with one recusal), authorized new hires and a kitchen-manager posting, and approved pre-paid professional development for instructional staff.
The Sonoita Governing Board on March 3 approved a package of FY27 personnel contracts, step increases, and staffing moves that school leaders said are needed to support operations and a modestly rising enrollment of 112 students.
President Harry Dotson moved to approve the FY27 teacher, nurse, facilities manager, business manager/Human Resources, administrative assistant/food service manager and other contract documents; Nancy Webster and Anne Przybyla seconded various motions. Each contract motion carried unanimously, 5-0. The board also approved certified, classified and classified-exempt step increases for FY27 on unanimous votes.
The board approved several hires and personnel actions. It approved hiring Francisco Ruiz as a full-time grounds, facilities and maintenance assistant effective March 4, 2026, and re-hiring Jessica Orona as a part-time paraprofessional (two days per week) for the remainder of FY26. The board approved posting a Full Time Kitchen Manager position to be posted internally first and authorized re-opening a part-time paraprofessional position because of new enrollment. Several staff and substitute-rehire lists were approved on the consent agenda.
The board approved late-spring coaching assignments, including Terrell Harper as head coach for boys baseball, Lindsey Beal as head coach for track and field with Jaimee Cass as assistant, and Jayci Whittington as head coach for girls basketball with Kerry Newberry as assistant. Member Aaron Thomas recused himself from the coaches vote because he and a family member volunteer as coaches; the motion carried 4-0 with one recusal.
The board also approved pre-payment of FY27 professional development through Northern Arizona University titled “AI in the Classroom,” and approved Superintendent Daniel Erickson’s travel to the Arizona School Administrators Summer Conference in Tucson in June 2026.
The personnel and contract approvals were presented by Superintendent Daniel Erickson and repeatedly moved by President Dotson; board seconds were recorded and the motions carried without recorded no votes. The board accepted two staff resignations (Valerie Etchart and Lisa Lopez), both effective June 30, 2026.
The meeting closed after approving the consent agenda—which included expense and payroll vouchers and multiple rehire lists—and identifying future study items, including step schedules and the possibility of building a high school. The board adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Next steps: the district will post the kitchen manager position internally and move forward with hires and contract paperwork for FY27 as approved.
