TOPOCK, Ariz. – For the very first time, a deputy Sheriff had been called in to make his presence known at the Topock School Board meeting last Thursday, Sept. 17.
In a call to the public, which has generated some anger in the past three board meetings, four residents addressed their concerns.
Joy Bancroft told the board that Superintendent/Principal Kaili Lee needs to be more transparent, that they, the Governing Board were in charge and responsible for making it happen.
Chuck DeShazer said he waited three weeks to get answers from Lee, who told him to submit questions via email, and when he finally got the answers, they were all vague and did not answer his questions.
DeShazer also told them the “make-shift” Pilates system was in violation of the Educational Board. De Shazer had mentioned in previous meetings that Kaili Lee has started a Pilates class and was pocketing the money.
Dianna Francis asked why they replaced a lifetime metal roof with one that will need replaced often. She also said $5,000 a month for landscaping was too much.
Karen De Shazer stated they do not provide a public restroom for a public meeting.
School Board President Joe Gardner stated that with everyone who has been submitting questions through email prevents the staff from doing their routine jobs.
Consent agenda items to be approved by the Board did not go into detail as to who they were paying nor how much.
This month, as in the last three months all that is listed on the agenda is the Accounts Payable (AP) numbers. It does not have the amount for each or what they are for. Same with payroll. Just a number, not who they were for nor the amount, yet was approved by the board without questions.
The board also approved the following: Legislative Change updates to Trust Policy Part 4; a Preventive Maintenance Guidelines and Plan; Phelps as Special Education service provider at $50 an hour; Special Education Policy and Procedures updates; Dynamic Interventions as Speech Service Provider or to exceed $35,000 a year; District Public Conduct and Governing Board meeting Policy and Procedure, recommended by their attorney – there was no discussion as to what those new procedures are; approved Logan Evans to take on an additional duty as Administrative Assistant for $20 an hour, four days a week.
Lee read her report on the school, focusing on teamwork and what has been accomplished the first six weeks of school, that the school has moved from a grade D and F in the state to a grade A.
Rick Dischinger also read a report as to what he’s observed as a board member. He said in his 40 years of educational experience, Topock was one of the best he’s seen, and the reason is the people.
