Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sonoita Governing Board approves hires, contracts, stipend increases and a banking change
Summary
At its Aug. 5 meeting the Sonoita Governing Board approved two new hires, contracted FY26 occupational therapy services, added multiple stipends and amended mentor stipends, confirmed fall coaches, and moved the district's payroll accounts from Chase to PNC; all motions passed unanimously.
The Sonoita Governing Board on Aug. 5 approved a slate of personnel actions, contract and policy updates and a change to the district's banking arrangements during a regularly scheduled meeting at Elgin School.
President Harry Dotson moved and the board unanimously approved hiring Jessica Orona as a part-time paraprofessional and approving Randy Frieman as a substitute teacher. The board also voted to contract with Sunny De Baun of Sunny Days Therapy to provide FY26 occupational therapy services after Superintendent Dan Erickson and Business Manager Heidi Gonzales discussed the planned arrangement.
Board members approved additional FY26 stipends: the district will add a second 4-Day Special Needs Paraprofessional stipend at $1,500, a second Classified Extra Duty stipend for Special Events Setup at $750, and a new 4-Day High Needs Paraprofessional stipend at $3,000. The board also approved the FY26 Classroom Site Fund performance pay plan and project stipends with an amendment to increase two Mentor Teacher stipends to $2,000 each.
The board confirmed FY26 fall coaching assignments: Volleyball Head coach Kyndra Ortiz with assistant Jessica Carter; Football Head coach Terrell Harper with assistant Robbie Kyrklund; and Cross Country Head coach Lindsey Beal with assistant Jayci Whittington.
Mr. Erickson and Business Manager Heidi Gonzales recommended discontinuing the district's payroll and tax accounts at Chase and moving those accounts to PNC Bank per the County Treasurer; the board approved the change. The board also reviewed and approved multiple updates to the Trust Model Policy and Procedures Volume 1, which included revisions to policies and procedures on open meetings, parental rights, budgeting, nutrition, emergency response and other administrative items.
The board voted to change the September meeting date from Sept. 3 to Sept. 9, 2025 because Mr. Erickson and President Dotson will attend the Arizona School Boards Association Law Conference. The consent agenda, covering listed expense and payroll vouchers for FY25 and FY26, was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Actions recorded during the meeting were motioned primarily by President Harry Dotson, seconded by Nancy Webster or Anthony Fennell depending on the item, and carried by 5-0 roll calls as indicated in the meeting minutes.
