Davis and White recognized for governing board service

Tracy Davis and Tim White were recognized for their service to the district at the MUSD governing board’s Tuesday meeting.

White has put his bid in for appointment to the board to fill the unexpired two-year term recently vacated by Lori Glenn. He received his boardsmanship award, presented by Superintendent Jeff Kleck.

Davis will also receive that award at a later date. She is retiring from the board after six years of service.

“After many years of service, Tracy Davis is moving on,” said Kleck. She received a standing ovation, and, during the call to the public, Santa Rosa librarian Betty Johnson
thanked Davis and wished her good luck.

“The board will not be the same without you; you’ve been a positive asset, friendly and always prepared. That really impresses me about you, and you’ve dedicated countless hours to this district,” Johnson said.

Dismissal of Pima Butte teacher Debra Wager
Following a 40-minute executive session, board members heard from Kleck regarding the possible dismissal of Pima Butte fifth grade teacher Debra Wager. The administration offered a statement “alleging that good cause exists for dismissal.”

Board members, accepting the statement of charges, voted unanimously to provide a written notice of dismissal to Wager, giving her 10 days to request a hearing beginning from the time she returns to Arizona. If Wager does not request a hearing, presided over by a designated hearing officer, her employment will be automatically terminated. Until the hearing request can be accepted, she will be on administrative leave with pay.

Vendor relations policy
Staff conflict of interest, vendor relations policy GBEAA was reviewed. Under policy regulations, no board member or district employee may accept gifts, gratuities or advertising products from a vendor. This includes lunches and dinners, or anything that might influence the staff or board member to show favoritism to the vendor.

Field usage intergovernmental agreement meeting
Opening discussion on the recent meeting held with city council regarding an intergovernmental agreement for the community use of the middle school fields (see related story), Davis expressed her desire to continue to look at the issue, which is currently on hold. “I feel it will benefit the community, and I’m not ready to let it go,” she said.

“I was very disappointed,” said board president Geoff Goddard. “We have been working over a year to make it happen. In my opinion the whole discussion was dead before we even started.” Goddard acknowledged that both entities are facing budget shortfalls.

“We can’t impact the district financially too much, but I think it’s a disservice to the community not to seek alternatives.”

“It seemed a done deal before it started, a waste of time,” said White. “When push came to shove, we saw who was willing to step up, and it wasn’t the city. I really feel we were done an injustice.”

Goddard said he hopes to see such city and district discussions occur regularly, but he added, “I’d like to see the district do something to open up some of the fields.”

Photo by Joyce Hollis