By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The 2025 summer 8-week break has concluded, and the first full week of classes looms ahead. Students enrolled in the Morenci schools began the 2025-26 school year on July 23, and the first full week of classes started Monday, July 28.
Freshmen (Class of 2029) and their parents were oriented on July 21. Faculty and staff members were welcomed back with a breakfast gathering on July 22, and the Class of 2026 members were treated to a breakfast, as well as a run-through of the high school halls, for their final year on July 23. The first-day itinerary included both an opening and closing assembly, along with eight sessions covering topics such as attendance, tardiness, discipline, Chromebooks, dress code, emergency drills and school safety, motivational messages and CATS Code, school spirit and traditions, student health issues, and team building.
Each of the schools was methodically physically prepared by custodial staff, at times literally on their hands and knees. All 10 school building administrators are Arizona rural high school graduates: three from the now-shuttered Clifton, one from Duncan, five from Morenci, and one from Thatcher. Seven faculty members are new to the district this year, with some having been here in previous years, and one switching schools.
Additionally, Jennifer Morales is in her fifth year as the district superintendent and a 1991 graduate of Morenci.
Kelly Baker, a 1983 MHS grad, Ron Campbell, and Steve Leyba comprise the current district governing board.
Wildcat Den (Day Care)
Loretta Lujan is in her first year as the director, and Randa Porter is in her ninth year as the assistant. Lujan graduated from Clifton in 1987 and Porter from Thatcher in 2006.
Morenci Early Learning Center (Pre-School)
Ashley Morales is in her fourth year as the director, and Tracee Lacey is in her ninth year as the assistant. Morales was in the district 10 years before accepting the position and is a 2007 graduate of MHS. Lacey has been in the district for 12 years and is a 2006 graduate of Duncan High School.
A total of six teachers comprised the school’s faculty: Corrinna Barker, Ashley De La Torre, Brandalynn Salas, Sarah Stergion, Christine Wyatt, and Vanessa Torres, as the special education teacher.
Metcalf Elementary School
Dr. Chelsea Adams is the principal, and Andrea Hudman is the assistant principal, both in their fifth year and MHS grads, 2006 and 1998, respectively, overseeing a total of 42 teachers in the building.
Kara Wagley is the Special Education Director, and Hudman is the Dean of Students and Academic Coach as well.
MacKennzie Gonzalez (3rd Grade), Jessica James (3rd Grade), and Danielle Williams (Special ED) are in their inaugural year at the school.
The Metcalf faculty members are Paula Gonzalez, Vanessa Jones, Benino “Benji” Morales, Tiffany Saenz, and Myranda Wasko for Kindergarten; Erin Clem, Elizabeth Dunagan, Alexis Gregory, Michelle Pollack, Stephanie Salazar, and Janet Vaughn for First Grade; Lillian Brown, Jessica Gonzalez, Shannon Herrera, Taylor Martinez, Kathryn Najar, and Kelsey Pugmire for Second Grade; Jessica Gallegos, MacKennzie Gonzalez, Jessica Harrington, Cassandra Hernandez, James, and Sara Rios for Third Grade; and Janel Cervantez, Vanessa Fallow, Angela Hernandez, Jessica King, Christine Rivera, and Layla Turner for Fourth Grade.
The rest of the teaching corps includes Lilyn Naccarati (Character Education), Jennie Romero (Library), Gene Willey (Music), Rosie Allen and Bryana Garcia (Physical Education), Sabrina Gonzales (Spanish), and Reigel Allison, Kodie Barnett, Sandra Carasco, Ruth Martin, Nicole Romero, Williams, and Linda Woodard (Special Education).
Fairbanks Middle School
Nikki Lopez is in her third year as principal, and Rebecca Manuz is in her 10th year as assistant principal. The two Clifton High products graduated in 2002 and 1993, respectively.
Twenty-nine teachers hold classes for middle school students, with new faculty members being T.J. Gomez (English), Rochelle Kerrigan (Math), and Marla Reyes (Math), who were transferred from Metcalf Elementary. Brianna Wolf returns as the faculty coach, and Special Education Director Christina Chavez stepped down to teach art.
The FMS teachers are Katy Crandall (Social Studies), Jamie Madrid (Reading), Alyssa Murillo (Science), Nicole Pursley (Writing), and Reyes (Math) for Fifth Grade; Rochelle Brack (Science), Raylyn Chee (English-reading), David Gallegos (Math), Nicole Marin (Social Studies), Felicia Medina (English-writing) for Sixth Grade; Brendon Enriquez (Science), T.J. Gomez (English), Rochelle Kerrigan (Math), and Scarelett Ludvigson (Social Studies) for Seventh Grade; and Jody Bailey (Social Studies), Christy Parrott (English), A.J. Rodriguez (Science), and Melissa Rodriguez (Math) for Eighth Grade.
The rest of the faculty members include Ruben Aguallo (Boys Physical Education), Jasmine Aguinaga (Girls Physical Education), Bernedetta Cargile (Band), Chavez (Art), Barbie Gaethje (Special Education), Melanie Hilton (Special Education), Casey Maldonado (Special Education), Manuel Manuz (Coding/Robotics), Gene Willey (Band/Mariachi), and Casey Woodall (Co-Ed Athletic Development).
Morenci High School
Don Goodman is in his sixth year as principal, and Tiffany Powers is in her third year as assistant principal. Goodman and Powers are both MHS grads, 1979 and 1998, respectively.
Sherry Carbajal is the CTE Director, and Bria Brown is this year’s faculty addition.
Morenci High School has 26 teachers and graduated its 120th class in May.
The “top-tiered technology based” school teachers include Julie Baker, Jennifer Chavez, Amanda Davis, Joseph Garcia, Esther Kessler, Siobhan Manrique, and Terry Montoya for English; Alexa Aguilera, Ilsa Castillo, Sabyn Martinez, Gary Rees, and Renee Still for Math; Leonisa Calapini, Marilou Cortez, and Sheridan Valdez for Science; and Baker, Chavez, Kenneth Lester, Manrique for History.
Additionally, Tony Aguinaga (Welding/Carpentry), Cargile (Band/Mariachi), Nicolas Carrasco (Co-Ed Athletic Development), Sabrina Gonzales (Spanish), Lester (Government), Linda Madrid (Special Education), Denita Marble (Culinary Arts), Montoya (Art), Beatriz Wilkinson (Spanish/Art), and Casey Woodall (Co-Ed Athletic Development) round out the faculty.
