KINGMAN, Ariz. – Kingman Unified School District (KUSD) Superintendent Dr. Gretchen Dorner gave an update on students, staff and goals and the board approved new Air Force JROTC classes coming in the fall of 2027. The board entered into three executive sessions to discuss teachers that wanted released from their contract, termination of a teacher and to discuss the school board self-evaluation. The student governing board advisors from Kingman and Lee Williams High schools reported on the concerns of students at their respective schools.
Dorner said enrollment in the district was slightly down. District 20 has 312.5 certified staff, she said, with 283 classified staff members. There are currently 11 staffing vacancies.
She said the board has three goals for the schools in the district. They are to enhance instructional practice, to maintain or demonstrate academic growth in 85% of the students and increase community engagement by 20%.
Elizabeth Rodas Quintantanilla from Kingman High School (KHS) read an obituary for one of their teachers, Mr. Gerald Peters, who had died the day before. Quintantanilla said she polled 112 students at her school. The outcome was about half believe they are getting courses or pathways to secure their academic future. Lack of school spirit was a valid concern for the students at KHS, as well as they don’t know if they’re being heard.
She said they also need more mentors and a sports announcer at games to improve school spirit.
Adrienne Migabon from Lee Williams High School said students there say they’re getting too much homework assigned to them. They also said high school doesn’t seem like high school anymore because of all the college courses and things they do to prepare for college.
The board approved four JROTC classes – Air Force JROTC I, II, III, and IV – beginning in the fall of 2027. Students will take the classes in consecutive order, starting with JROTC I. The classes focus on physical fitness, community service, leadership, self-discipline, confidence, respect for others, career development, and citizenship.
The board also approved three executive sessions. The first was to discuss three teachers who asked to be released from their contract. Upon reconvening the meaning two of them were approved without imposition of fee or being reported to the state. One, however, will be released with the imposition of a fee and will be reported to the state for breach of contract.
The second executive session was to discuss the termination of one of the teachers in District 20. Upon reconvening, the board approved terminating that teacher, effective Sept. 8 for reasons stated in a confidential memorandum to the governing board.
