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Tonto Basin board hires new principal, joins state purchasing co-op and OKs HVAC contract
Summary
At a special April 6 meeting, the Tonto Basin Elementary School District governing board unanimously approved hiring Cody Riding as principal (2026–2029), joining the Arizona State Purchasing Cooperative, and authorizing State contract CTR076873 for rooftop HVAC and temporary cooling (estimated $162,712.60) pending SFD approval; the board also approved personnel contracts, accepted a resignation, and adopted the 2026–27 work calendars.
Tonto Basin Elementary School District’s governing board met in a special session on April 6, 2026, and unanimously approved a suite of administrative and facilities actions intended to prepare the small district for the 2026–27 school year.
The board approved an employment agreement to hire Cody Riding as principal effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. Sterling Thomas moved approval and Laci Sopeland seconded; the motion carried with all members voting in favor.
The board also voted to join the Arizona State Purchasing Cooperative, a move the district said will give the small district access to cooperative bids and contracts at no cost. Sterling Thomas moved the co-op authorization; Robin Holt seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
On facilities, the board approved State contract CTR076873 for rooftop indirect-fired gas heating units and a temporary cooling system, pending School Facilities Department (SFD) approval and Fund 691 (Building Grant Renewal) funding. District staff explained that capital-funding methods changed after a recent lawsuit — a change that is currently under appeal — and that the district is working with a procurement specialist to expedite the HVAC project through SFD. The district reported vendor quotes of about $141,000 and an estimated total project cost of $162,712.60; roughly $20,000 of that estimate covers temporary cooling expected to be needed from May for approximately six months while the permanent units are produced (staff cited a 16–20 week lead time once the vendor reaches the production queue). The board approved moving forward with the contract subject to SFD approval.
In personnel actions, the board authorized issuance of a 2026–27 teaching contract to Tamara K. Johnson at $78,417.00 (MA, Step 13). The board also accepted the resignation of paraprofessional McKayla Taylor, effective June 30, 2026. Both items were approved by unanimous vote.
The board adopted the 2026–27 work calendars and adopted the meeting agenda (with attorney-suggested contract language changes) earlier in the session. A three-minute public comment period produced no speakers. The meeting adjourned at 8:24 a.m.
Votes at a glance: the board recorded unanimous approval on the agenda adoption; hiring of Cody Riding as principal (term July 1, 2026–June 30, 2029); membership in the Arizona State Purchasing Cooperative; authorization of State contract CTR076873 (pending SFD approval and funding); issuance of a teacher contract to Tamara K. Johnson ($78,417.00); acceptance of McKayla Taylor’s resignation effective 06/30/26; and approval of the 2026–27 work calendars.
Procedural note: the meeting notice referenced A.R.S. § 38-431.01 for public meeting notice requirements and reserved the right to recess to executive session for legal advice under A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(3).
