Mindy Bejarano-
Mindy Bejarano – Her family moved to Cottonwood, Arizona in 1989.  She attended Cottonwood Middle School. Mindy earned her high school diploma through Mingus Union High School and graduated with a BA in Business Management through the University of Phoenix. She is married to Matt Bejarano.  The couple chose to raise their three children Madelyn (Mingus), Tanner (Mountain View Preparatory), Hunter (Mountain View Preparatory) because of the small town feel, strong sense of community and excellent quality education.  Mindy served on the school PTO, and has volunteered at her children’s school.  Mindy’s desire to help ensure that our children have access to the highest quality education is what led her to the Cottonwood Oak Creek School Board. Currently, Mrs. Bejarano is self-employed as a licensed cosmetologist. Email: Email Mindy Bejarano

Ruth Ellen Elinski - Email Ruth Ellen
Ruth Ellen Elinski has lived in the Verde Valley since 2004 and is the Director and a Certified Business Analyst for the Yavapai College Small Business Development Center (SBDC). An entrepreneur, Ruth Ellen has launched multiple businesses and has educational training in accounting, management, budgeting, marketing, and manufacturing. She has additional experience as a non-profit director leading alongside a 20-member Board of Directors. She is a Fellow of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership's Flinn Brown Leadership Academy, is a graduate of the Verde Valley Leadership (VVL) Class XIII, and now serves as a current VVL board member. She is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV), earned a degree in Public Affairs and Management from Indiana University, and earned an associate degree in Accounting from Northern Arizona University. Ruth Ellen is most proudly the mom of two brilliant daughters who both attend Cottonwood Community School.

Janice Rollins - Email Janice Rollins
Ms. Janice Rollins- Ms. Rollins is retired. Ms. Rollins and her family have made the Cottonwood area their home for over 50 years, moving from the Prescott area, where she and her late husband, Ernest both grew-up. Their three children were raised in Cottonwood and attended Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District. Also, their children are graduates of Mingus Union High School. Janice enjoys sharing time with her seven grandchildren. For seventeen years, while her children were young, Janice was a stay-at-home mom. During this period of  time, she volunteered for several community services. She was a Girl Scout Leader, PTA President and Treasurer, Cottonwood Public Library volunteer and served as a Trustee for financial responsibilities in her church. This was a five member board. Janice retired from Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District at the end of school year, 2004-2005. She served in several capacities while working in the district for 26 years. She started with the district as a bus driver and within a few short years was made a supervisor for the transportation department. She worked part time for the food service, business office and the district office. She ended her career with C-OCSD as the Administrative Assistant for Special Services. During her early years with Cottonwood-Oak Creek, she attended night classes at  Yavapai College and earned her Associate of Arts in General Education. Janice served on the original committee that was responsible for professional growth for the Support Staff and continued to serve on this committee until her retirement. She also, served on the Superintendent’s Budget Committee for several years. She is looking forward to serving the community, students and staff of the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District. 

Neil Manzenberger - Email Neil Manzenberger

Mr. Neil Manzenberger has been involved in education for 42 years.  Neil was a high school band director for twenty-two years, taught music and technology in grades K-6 for thirteen years, both in Indiana and Arizona.  During that time Neil served as an adjunct professor of music for the Columbus, Indiana campus of Indiana University for nine years. For five years he was employed by the Yavapai County Education Service Agency as the Technology Integration Specialist for Yavapai and Lower Mohave Counties in Arizona. Neil was also involved with the West Central Regional Service Center and served on the Board of Directors of the Yavapai County Educational Technology Consortium for five years and the Board of Directors of AzTEA for three years.  Mr. Manzenberger is currently on the Board of Directors of the Yavapai Symphony Association, serving as 1st Vice President.  Neil graduated from Ball State University with a BA in Music Education in 1972 and an MS in Education in 1977.  Neil is also a veteran who served with the United States Air Force from 1966-1970.  

Mary Valenzuela - Email Mary Valenzuela

Ms. Mary Valenzuela has lived in Cornville since 1970.  She holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Education from Northern Arizona University.  She has worked for the district as a First Grade Teacher and Assistant Principal until her retirement last year.  Her late husband, Bobby, was also a long time Verde Valley educaor. Mrs. Valenzuela understands the role of the Governing Board and will hard to balance the needs of students, parents, staff, and the taxpayer.  She certainly understands all aspects of the the district. 

In addition to the three Grand Prize winners, nine Silver Award winners and six honorable mentions were selected. This year, the Magna Awards recognize school districts and their leaders for their innovative, out-of-the-box thinking to address a district challenge. An independent panel selected the winners from district submissions.

“For more than 25 years, the Magna Awards have recognized innovative school district programs,” said NSBA Executive Director and CEO Dr. John Heim. “Each of our winners exemplifies how school leaders and district staff have reinvented learning — and learning environments — for students, staff, and communities. We congratulate our winners and thank them for their hard work and devotion to the students they serve. We also hope these programs will provide information and inspiration to school districts facing similar challenges across the country.”

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• Policy Manual