Duncan Unified board approves hires, accepts audit and hears special-education capacity concerns

The Duncan Unified District (4228) Governing Board met May 11, 2026, and approved a slate of routine business, personnel actions and scheduling changes while hearing a presentation that warned of growing strains in special education services.

Kristi Webster, Special Education Director, told the board the district serves 118 students with either an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 accommodation plan and described heavy paperwork, frequent meetings and high staff turnover. "We are doing our absolute best, but we are not able to do all that is needed," Webster said, adding that most special-education teachers stay about three years. Superintendent D. Eldon Merrell said the staffing pressures are widespread, commenting, "this is an issue everywhere and it is going to blow up." These remarks framed the board's discussion of staffing and program capacity during the meeting.

On routine business, Member Wade Wagley moved and President Mike Sweetser seconded approval of the consent agenda, which included minutes, payroll and expense vouchers and auxiliary and activities financial statements; the motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote. The board also accepted the district audit report after Business Manager Joann Boyd said the audit produced just ten findings—the fewest during her tenure—and noted one internal-control finding asking that the elementary school banking account be reconciled electronically. Member Wagley moved to approve the audit report; Clerk Holly McCluskey seconded and the board voted 5–0 to accept it.

Personnel actions approved by unanimous votes included retirements and resignations (including Head of Maintenance Ray Huggins and Special Ed aide Loretta Lemons), hires for the 2026–27 school year (Hayley Allen as an elementary teacher and Denise Zamora as a special-education one-on-one aide), and a slate of long-term substitute teachers. The board also approved a roster of fall coaches and named Eldon Merrell, Marcy Harris and David Gonzales as qualified evaluators for 2026–27.

Superintendent Merrell said district enrollment began the school year at 373 students and ended with a net decrease of 18 students; kindergarten registration currently stands at 30, prompting planning for two kindergarten teachers next year. Merrell noted the district will hold an auction June 6 and said administration selected a new K–12 math curriculum that will be displayed for the required 60-day review period.

The board scheduled a special meeting for June 29 at 5:30 p.m. to accept the proposed budget and arranged ASBA board training for the same evening. Members also voted to have the district cover a small increase in employee health insurance premiums after losing the top-level plan; Merrell stated the district can use carryover funds to cover the increase.

Votes at a glance: - Motion No. 122 (consent agenda): approved; mover Member Wade Wagley; second President Mike Sweetser; roll call 5–0. - Motion No. 123 (change June meeting to June 15): approved; mover President Mike Sweetser; second Member James Hughes; roll call 5–0. - Motion No. 124 (accept audit report): approved; mover Member Wade Wagley; second Clerk Holly McCluskey; roll call 5–0. - Motion No. 125 (accept retirements/resignations): approved; mover Member Wade Wagley; second Member James Hughes; roll call 5–0. - Motion No. 126 (hire Hayley Allen and Denise Zamora): approved; mover Clerk Holly McCluskey; second Member James Hughes; roll call 5–0. - Motion No. 127 (approve long-term substitutes): approved; mover Clerk Holly McCluskey; second Member Wade Wagley; roll call 5–0. - Motion No. 128 (set special budget meeting June 29): approved; mover Member Pamela Harrington; second President Mike Sweetser; roll call 5–0. - Motion No. 129 (district pays employee health insurance increase): approved; mover Member Pamela Harrington; second Member James Hughes; roll call 5–0. - Motion No. 130 (approve HS/JH fees for 2026–27): approved; mover Clerk Holly McCluskey; second Member James Hughes; roll call 5–0. - Motion No. 131 (approve qualified evaluators): approved; mover President Mike Sweetser; second Clerk Holly McCluskey; roll call 5–0. - Motion No. 132 (approve fall coaches): approved; mover President Mike Sweetser; second Member Wade Wagley; roll call 5–0.

The board received policy advisories for a first reading and was told the full policies are available at the district office; adoption of the policy updates is scheduled for a future meeting. Member Pamela Harrington requested a list of planned summer facilities repairs, and Superintendent Merrell agreed to provide that list at the next meeting. With no further business, President Sweetser adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.

The article is based entirely on statements and votes recorded in the Duncan Unified District Governing Board minutes for May 11, 2026.