The Camp Verde Unified School District Governing Board voted 4-1 on Tuesday, Feb. 13 to reassign Superintendent Dennis Goodwin to his home for the remainder of his contract after reconvening following an executive session.
In December, the board accepted Goodwin’s letter of intent to not seek a contract renewal. Goodwin’s contract expires on Saturday, June 30, and this is his third year as the district’s superintendent.
CVUSD Governing Board President Tim Roth read a letter he had written to Goodwin to the public thanking him for his service as well as explaining why he supported the reassignment.
“In light of your stated desire to move on to the next phase of your career, and recognizing that the next step will most likely involve cross-country relocation, the Governing Board wishes to provide you the opportunity to complete your district obligations while attending to your future needs,” Roth stated in the letter.
Goodwin will be granted full-pay benefits for the remainder of his contract.
“As part of the assignment, [Goodwin] will be responsible for district inquiries within 24 hours either electronically or by phone,” Roth stated in the letter.
Goodwin was not present at the meeting. The board appointed Camp Verde Middle School principal Danny Howe as the administrator in charge for the remainder of the year. Howe is also the principal of South Verde High School and the district’s accommodation school.
Howe will continue his duties as principal of these schools while taking on the role of the administrator in charge.
Superintendent Search
In a unanimous vote, the board also voted to meet with the Arizona School Boards Association to enlist their help in the search for a new superintendent.
The board has not addressed the possibility of renewing Goodwin’s contract. In a letter to the board, Yavapai-Apache Chairwoman Jane Russell-Winiecki asked the board to consider keeping Goodwin as superintendent.
“I understand that the board has begun its search to replace Superintendent Dennis Goodwin,” she wrote in the letter. “On behalf of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, it is my sincere hope that your search leaves open the possibility of offering Dr. Goodwin a renewed contract. While the board has never openly stated its reasons for refusing to engage in contract negotiations with Dr. Goodwin, there are a number of good reasons why such negotiations would benefit the district and the local communities it serves.”
Russell-Winiecki added that in her view, Goodwin can continue to be a leader in the improvement of CVUSD.
“In the case of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, we attribute the recent successes of our students — a 100 percent graduation rate in 2017 — to the strong policies of community and family outreach and involvement in the educational processes that has been fostered under Dr. Goodwin’s leadership,” she wrote in the letter. “We would not want to see a regression away from such policies. I suspect that these same positive changes have had similar.”
Goodwin has previously served as an educator and administrator for almost three decades in schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He is currently applying for positions in the Midwest.
Outgoing Board Member
Board member Christine Schneider also announced her resignation, which was effective Feb. 14. Schneider has been on the board for five years.
She said her reason for leaving was due to family reasons.Members of the board expressed their gratitude for Schneider’s service.“I’m mostly an observer, but I want to thank you for your great creativity and service,” said Governing Board Assistant Mary Hudson.
Roth said that even though he didn’t always see eye-to-eye with Schneider, he enjoyed the time he had with her as a respected member of the board.
2019 Budget
In a presentation to the board, Steve Hicks, CVUSD director of business services, talked about projections in potential shortfalls the district may be facing.
Some of these factors include student enrollment as well as shortfalls from the state.Hicks talked about putting projects on hold and eliminating three teacher positions through attrition.
“We are focusing on needs right now although we’ve put a lot of wants on hold,” Hicks said. “I’m a realist but I’m looking forward to a positive surprise from the state … of course we can’t rely on that.”
The board took no action on this item.
Kelcie Grega can be reached at 634-8551, or email kgrega@larsonnewspapers.co
Goodwin has previously served as an
educator and administrator for almost
three decades in schools in Minnesota and
Wisconsin. He is currently applying for
positions in the Midwest.
Outgoing Board Member
Board member Christine Schneider also
announced her resignation, which was
effective Feb. 14.
Schneider has been on the board for five
years. She said her reason for leaving was
due to family reasons.
Members of the board expressed their
gratitude for Schneider’s service.
“I’m mostly an observer, but I want to
thank you for your great creativity and
service,” said Governing Board Assistant
Mary Hudson.
Roth said that even though he didn’t
always see eye-to-eye with Schneider,
he enjoyed the time he had with her as a
respected member of the board.
2019 Budget
In a presentation to the board, Steve
Hicks, CVUSD director of business
services, talked about projections in poten
–
tial shortfalls the district may be facing.
Some of these factors include student
enrollment as well as shortfalls from the
state.
Hicks talked about putting projects on
hold and eliminating three teacher posi
–
tions through attrition.
“We are focusing on needs right now
although we’ve put a lot of wants on hold,”
Hicks said. “I’m a realist but I’m looking
forward to a positive surprise from the
state … of course we can’t rely on that.”
The board took no action on this item.
