Duncan Unified board approves hires, handbooks and dual-enrollment agreement; tables special-education update

The Duncan Unified District governing board met on April 13, 2026, and approved a series of personnel actions, handbook changes and an intergovernmental agreement to offer college-level dual-enrollment classes while tabling a Special Education update until the full board can attend.

Superintendent D. Eldon Merrell reported the state Legislature was in budget meetings and said, "This year it could be difficult for them to come to an agreement," adding that Governor Hobbs visited the district and "was a proponent of public education." Merrell also said enrollment remained steady and the district plans an auction as the school year winds down with about six weeks remaining.

On votes: Board member Wade Wagley moved to approve the consent agenda (routine minutes, payroll, expense vouchers and financial statements); Member Pamela Harrington seconded and the motion carried with Member James Hughes, Member Pamela Harrington and Member Wade Wagley recorded as "Yes" and President Mike Sweetser and Clerk Holly McCluskey absent. The board used roll-call votes for subsequent items and approved the classified hires, policies (DIE/DIE-R on audits/financial monitoring), student handbooks, staff hires and offers of contract as summarized below.

Key actions and outcomes: Motion No. 106 (approve classified hires for 2026–27) — moved by Wade Wagley, seconded by Pamela Harrington; carried (Hughes/Harrington/Wagley yes; Sweetser/McCluskey absent). Motion No. 107 (approve DIE/DIE-R policies, second reading) — moved by Wagley; carried. Motion No. 108 (table Special Education updates until next meeting) — moved by Pamela Harrington; carried. Motion No. 109 (approve Intergovernmental Agreement for delivery of college-level credit classes — dual enrollment) — moved by Wagley; carried. Motion No. 110 (approve senior week activities and expectations, including mandatory practice requirement for Baccalaureate/Graduation) — moved by Wagley; carried. Motion No. 111 (approve high school student handbook changes) — moved by Wagley; carried. Motion No. 112 (approve elementary student handbook changes) — moved by Pamela Harrington; carried. Motion No. 113 (accept resignations of three employees) — moved by Pamela Harrington; carried. Motion No. 114 (approve hiring of Garth Walker, maintenance, and Ashlin Tenney, special-ed aide) — moved by Wagley; carried. Motion No. 115 (offer a contract to speech therapist Bethany Covarrubias for 2026–27) — moved by Pamela Harrington; carried. Motion No. 116 (offer classified administrative contracts to Joann Boyd and Eric White) — moved by Wagley; carried. Motion No. 117 (offer certified administrative contract to Marcy Harris, high school principal) — moved by Wagley; carried. Motion No. 118 (offer certified administrative contract to David Gonzales, elementary principal) — moved by Member James Hughes; carried.

Personnel and staffing: The board accepted resignations from Lily Harrington (special-education aide), Angelica Whitmer (long-term substitute) and Kalynn Penry (special-education aide); Superintendent Merrell said all three had received job offers elsewhere. The board approved hires for the upcoming year including Garth Walker for maintenance and Ashlin Tenney as a special-education aide, and moved to offer a speech-therapist contract to Bethany Covarrubias.

Contracts and policies: The board approved policies DIE/DIE-R related to audits and financial monitoring on second reading. The board also approved an intergovernmental agreement to deliver dual-enrollment college credit, with Superintendent Merrell noting the district reimburses for courses only if the student passes.

Student handbooks and activities: The board approved changes to the high school and elementary handbooks. Board discussion noted a difference in allowed unexcused absences: the elementary allowance is 10 days while the high school allowance is 8 days. The board also approved senior-week expectations requiring students to attend the required graduation practice to participate in Baccalaureate and commencement.

Next steps and future agenda items: The Special Education updates were explicitly tabled until a full board can be present. The board also listed a staff survey, an alternative-school application and a decision on who will hand out graduation diplomas as items for future agendas. The meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.

Votes at a glance: All recorded motions listed in the meeting minutes carried on roll-call votes; President Mike Sweetser and Clerk Holly McCluskey were recorded as absent for votes where noted. Specific roll-call tallies are recorded in the meeting minutes and are reflected in the board's official Motion Nos. 104–118.