001It is 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 22nd, 2026. We are at the Jerry Roi district facility and have four board members present in person. Board member Todd, board member Kenyon, board member Sinuni, and myself, board member Schmidt. We have our fifth board member uh virtual uh board member Zimmerman, and uh board member Saruni, would you do the pledge of allegiance, please? Okay, thank you. Agenda item 1.3, approval of special meeting agenda. Motion to approve the special meeting agenda form consistent with board policy 1-302 and temporary suspend governing board policy with which this agenda may be inconsistent. >> Thank you. I'll second. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second. We can vote. Um, member Todd >> I. >> Member Kenyon. >> I. >> Member Sarini. >> I. >> Member Zimmerman. >> I'm also
002an I. We'll show that pass 5 to zero. Moving on to 2.1. Approval of the consent agenda. >> Like to pull item 2.3. >> Okay. Anything else to pull? like to pull pull 2.4. >> Okay. All right. And if that's all, then do we have a motion? >> Make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of 2.3 and 2.4. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second. We can take a vote. Member Todd >> I. >> Member Kenyon >> I. >> Member Sarinion >> I. >> Member Zimmerman >> I'm also an I. We'll show that pass 50. And item 2.3 approval of personnel action items. Um Dr. Avula, Mr. Todd, you pulled that. >> I did. I just uh let me pull this up where I can read
003this zoom size 300 for my eyes right now. Um, I'm a little bit interested in the executive director of operations position. Um, I'm was trying to clarify and unfortunately the contract's not attached to the agenda and I just shut down the tab for it, but what step are we bringing this person in at? I don't even know if it said in the in the actual resume, but is there a step increase in this? Because this seems a little high, I think. Madame President, members of the governing board, this step is B. Step B. >> So, I'm just curious. It doesn't seem like this person has any experience as an executive director previously. Um, in speaking to some other folks that are familiar with the district he comes from, not sure that he's ever had the
004executive director experience. I'm all for giving somebody an opportunity and I think uh um but Eve Creek is actually as far as I can tell a smaller district than us um quite a bit smaller and uh we just like staff to report on that a little bit so we have a better understanding of how we came to this pay rate. Madame President, members of the governing board, in reviewing the resume and looking at the six months of director of facilities and construction, which includes uh facilities maintenance, custodial operations and construction in Cave Creek as well as director of facilities those 1.5 years in union overseeing operations, maintenance um as well as custodial and then uh four years in Roosevelt. So partial years were given in credit. Um also know um members of the governing board
005not all districts have executive director of operations positions. So given partial credit out of the 11 years given the partial credit um step B is 2 to three years of experience. And so um this candidate did receive partial years of service. And so of the 11 years of experience um bringing in step B two to three years of experience um was an appropriate offer. But what would be the difference if you came in at the lower at the early step? What would be the difference in income and pay? >> Step a approximately $4,000. >> So my I guess my concern is again I I don't know that Cave Creek has had near the type of construction that we've uh that we've experienced out here. I I don't know that this there's nothing against him. I
006don't know him, but I don't know that he has the same level of experience as an executive director in our size district would have. Um, secondly, I'm concerned that we're essentially giving some people raises, but we have a lot of our own staff who haven't seen raises in years. A lot of our district office staff, um, memory serves me correctly, really hasn't seen raises, but I know the last couple years we've told them, "We're going to get to you. We're going to get to you." Um, and in last budget proposal, I didn't see it, and now I see this person coming in with a uh a bump up in pay. So, I think the board needs to consider this and and see, do we want to do that or or do we have a plan
007that's going to align everybody else because suddenly we're just bringing people in. Um, we're have consultants coming in left and right, spending money. Uh, and that would be my other question is, is it next planned? Then I guess you would know cuz you're in HR. Is this person going to are we going to find out he was brought under a consulting contract to double dip through some of June or is he's just truly starting on July 1? >> Madame President, members of the governing board, the the candidate may uh begin this week in the transition and shadowing our current executive director of operations. So, if he may, does that mean he's already been told he's going to and that's just not something that's being brought to the board? >> I don't have that information at
008this time. >> Who how can we get that information? >> We will reach out to the candidate and make sure we first wanted to make sure that the the board approved uh the candidate and then we were going to work on a transition plan and then present that in the um weekly update to the board. >> Okay. But but again, my question is, has this gentleman been told already that they were going to bring him in as a consultant? >> Um, he was asked if he was available to shadow the current executive director prior to July 1. I just I'm struggling with all this money that's being spent for transition time that doesn't typically happen um in extra funds, especially when we haven't paid our many of our staff pay raises accordingly. We've given the
009teachers raises. I've always been a support of teachers getting payraises, but I'm also a support of everybody else. And we have doled out probably $40,000 in the last month in transition fee. I've never never in my life heard of that. I spoke to people at the School of Business over at ASU and they said that's not that's not something that happens like this. So, I don't I don't know where we're going exactly. This is all new that we're paying people for transition, but I've got a got a significant problem with that and I'm concerned about bringing people in under payraises when we haven't taken care of our own people who worked in this district for a long time. >> Miss Schmidt Yes, please go ahead. >> Thank you. Um, I just want to clarify that
010we did give all staff raises this year. Every single staff member got a raise of 2%. So, saying we haven't given anybody besides teachers a raise is an inaccurate statement. >> And secondly, I want to uh excuse me, thank you. Um, I want to um clarify that this person has 11 years of director level experience of operations and we're only giving credit for two to three years. Is that what you stated uh Dr. Ovula? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, in my mind, the way that I am viewing it is that we're actually underpaying this person and they're willing to take that. I did not look up what they previously made. But to say that we aren't going to honor their level of experience um because the title doesn't match it directly because not all districts
011have the same title. Um seems unfair to me personally. And um in terms of transition, I hear all the time of people doing transitions to ensure that there is a seamless change so that you know the district itself, our staff, our students aren't feeling the effects of the change as much. That is the point of a transition. And since it's June 22nd, you know, we're not talking about very many days for this person. and as they're new to the district, I think it would be beneficial for them to um come on board. Um you know, even if it's just a few days, which is what it's going to be. Um you know, I think it's interesting that you're concerned about consulting fees when we've been paying consultants long before this, hundreds of thousands of dollars
012in fact. Um so you know I think you know to allow this little bit of time would be fine and uh you know I'm okay as it is presented but um there is something else I would like to ask a question about separate for personal action items. Um I didn't say anything about it being pulled because it was already being pulled. Miss Schmidt, is it okay if I address that at this time? >> Sure. >> Okay. Um so my question is about um the the recommendation to wave or not wave liquidated damages for um an assistant principal um an instructional coach and a teacher. I just want to clarify that um only one person, the assistant principal, has are they being recommended to wave because they're on an administrator of contract or they met the
013conditions as outlined in our policy? >> They met the conditions as outlined in the policy and in addition provided documentation to support the claim in the resignation. specifically moving out of state. >> Okay. Um and they're moving out of state for a promotion or they're just moving out of state. >> The the family is moving out of state and there's evidence of the relocation. >> Okay. And so the other uh two that you're uh recommending to um apply do not meet the same qualifications or don't meet any qualifications in the policy. At the time, the two did not provide any documentation to support a relocation out of state. >> At the time of what? >> That we prepared the document that we we prepared the documents for the board agenda. >> Okay. So, are you
014saying that you've received additional documents or you you either you have the documents or you don't right now? >> Information came in this morning. So after it's reviewed and verified, then that would be represented to the board um should there be a change. Okay. And you you haven't reviewed that information at this time? >> It hasn't been reviewed at this time. >> Okay. So, should we table those two people for the time being? >> No, >> we've never come back and redone a liquidated damages before. So, I'm just trying to get clarity on what we should do here. >> They need to be released from the contract. So, after verifying the documents that have been received, we would bring it back to the board and then just change it to waved. But, they need to
015be released so they can be hired in a different district. That's all I have at this time. Thank you, >> Madam President. >> Oh, yes. >> Throw out some information here if I may. Madam President, members of the board, >> a couple of items. Even though uh well, the person coming in is actually going to be making less than the person going out. So, we're actually saving money here. That's first one. So, in terms of budget considerations, we're actually saving money. Uh transition time is very normal. I've experienced that in in multiple districts. As a matter of fact, with the kind of turnover we have, uh transition is actually extremely beneficial for continuity of support here. Uh one of the most important things that we have going is our relationship with the school facilities board.
016That is not an easy transition either. And having that uh handoff is going to be really important going forward because that's a lot of money that comes into the district. So, uh, the the last thing I'd say is the capital plan is also really important in getting, uh, some groundwork done with the, uh, the current, excuse me, the current executive director is going to be really important. Uh, the last thing is in terms of size of district, 4,100 students are in Cave Creek, 4,500 here. So, we're relatively comparable. And I would also say Cave Creek's also got a high school which is considerably more complex to run. So I think that that kind of experience is very helpful for us also. >> Thank you. Any other questions, >> Madam President? >> Yes. >> While I
017was still speaking and another board member requested the floor, I'd like to continue for a second. I simply had some questions, but what I am concerned about is we're personally it's hogwash to say we're saving money because we're still we're still paying somebody more. Yes, we're saving money, but we're giving that person a raise. We're we're hiring people in at pay raises from what they're accustomed to. Um, and I'm just pointing out the fact that we have told our district staff and our support staff for several years, we're going to catch you up. We're going to catch you up. And yes, we gave them their 2%, but that doesn't catch them up from the previous times that they got passed over. And that's what I was expressing concern about. So, um, I'd have been allowed
018to continue. I would have been able to clarify that a little better. I get that the districts are close. I think they're still different. Um, and all I was doing was bringing to light so I understood where the steps were at. I'm not I'm not opposed to it. I just wanted to make sure I understood where we were coming out because it doesn't express on here where where the step is exactly. So, just wanted to clarify. >> Anybody have a motion they would like to make at this time? >> I make a motion uh to approve 2.3. Thank you. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second to approve 2.3. We can vote. >> Um, Mr. Todd, >> I. >> Mr. Kenyon, >> I. >> Mr. Serion,
019>> I. >> Miss Zimmerman. >> I'm also an I. We'll show that past 5. All right. Item 2.4 was also requested. So, fiscal year 2027, soul source determinations. U Mr. Heggerty and Mr. Kenyon, you're the one who asked for this to be pulled, correct? >> Correct. Um, yeah, thank you. As I was reviewing this list of the soul source, um, I noticed ASBA was on here and, uh, this board in the past has has made the um, not every member of the board is um, agreeance, I think, but there was quite some discussion about us getting away from ASBA. Um, so I really would like to I'm okay approving this with the exception of ASBA, but if uh anybody wants to have discussion on that, that's fine. And it would save us $20,000 estimated. >>
020Um, meshment. >> Yes, please go ahead. >> Okay. Um I am not in favor of removing ASBA from this. Um is you know it is the only Arizona schoolboard association. Um I believe that I and again I didn't know this was going to get pulled. The question wasn't asked. So, I don't know if you'll be able to answer. Have we already committed? Have we already paid the membership fee for this year for ASBA? This is for district staff. >> I don't I don't believe we've paid it yet. I believe we've got a purchase order ready to go, but it has not been paid. Minnie, did you have anything else? >> President Schmid and fellow board members, um, we are actually we're waiting for this board meeting to make a final a decision. a requisition has
021not been in place. Um I know they emailed us um and had e and had emailed um our interim superintendent at the time um and that email was not forwarded. So um we do have a couple of questions on a fee that's on there. However, um with us moving over to diligent community, remember that that they're being build through ASBA. Um and also Mr. Mr. Hegerty, I think you can share part of the um our health benefits. We need to be members of ASBA. >> Yes. Uh that's where we actually the conduit to getting our benefits right now goes through there. Being a member of that gives us the opportunity to also work directly with the uh am I can you can hear me? Okay. Okay. I keep trying to swallow this thing and it's
022okay. Um but yes that is that is a normal process. >> Okay. Um could we clarify how much the membership fee is? >> I I don't think it's 20,000 but I mean I could be wrong. Give me one second here. While Miss Kimmel is looking that up. Um, so are diligent communities is we're having to pay through ASBA for that. We're going through them. Is that explain to me how that works because I thought we were going directly with >> Yes. And um, President Schm and fellow board members, I'm not the best to explain this um, but we are. It's we get a lesser amount if we're members of ASBA. If we're not members of ASBA, then diligent community um is going to be higher. Um I'm trying to find this email here really quick.
023Um >> Madam President, while she's looking at that, I believe the trust said they were going to get the same discount, but for trust members, that was a discussion when we started moving to the trust a long time ago that they would get the same the same discount. I think it would be important to clarify if the trust has secured that discount before we use that as a determination. But to me, the healthc care part is an important part as well. But I would like to know what the actual fee is. >> President, if I may. >> Yes, please. I >> I think just listening to everybody kind of in agreement. There's a lot of questions about why it's all tied to the ASBA and I think maybe can we pull just that just them
024off until we get more information about all this? Um, President Schman and fellow board members, I'm I don't have the email that was um sent to the previous interim superintendent, but my invoice the invoice that is ready now to have a requisition made is 13,700. 87. Um I believe that a fraction of that I want to say um I'm guessing here I think it was 3500. Um part of that is they also embedded some ASBA policy services that they included. Um, and you know, it does say it in this email, but I I would like to have the breakdown and I think you know, me and Dr. Dooy, I had sent the information to her and um, we were just waiting for an answer from ASBA and what it entailed. >> Yeah, I I would
025appreciate that because that's, >> you know, one cost savings, but two, are we paying for something that we're paying a different service for? We're already paying the trust for >> and that's the qu excuse me and that this the question that I had for Ellen White at ASBA. Um so but the diligent community I know that was shy under 10 grand. So that I know is a fact that you know that's the requisition that we would have to make. >> Okay. Yeah. If we can check on those those items. Um the trust discount. Um, I obviously I don't want to mess with our health benefits if that was a huge component of of getting our health benefits as we had to be members of the ASBA. I don't know that that was presented to us
026that way when we went and um selected our health benefits. But just if we can get more information on this, um, I'd be fine if we could bring this maybe to the next meeting to add that ASBA back to this list if the board determines, but at this mo time, I'd just like to make a motion. >> Can I interrupt you for just one second? >> Yep. >> Sorry. I just want to get a clarification. Um, I it shouldn't really change anything. It's just to clarify in my head. Miss Camro, what you said was that we would have to pay 10,000 for diligent community um without ASBA. So what do we pay while if we have ASBA? Do they cover it? We don't pay anything extra or what are we paying diligent directly? Do you
027know? >> President Schmid and fellow board members, this is the first year that we're actually going away with a ASBA. Um, I do have another invoice here that's for 10,100. Um, and um, and then when I questioned um, the the letter that once I find the letter that was sent to interim superintendent before I will go ahead and forward that to you. Okay. >> Um, it does clarify a little bit better. >> Okay. >> Um, so I didn't >> Okay, that's fine. I know we kind of threw this one at you. So, such a short window when that letter was received when I received it and it was it was given, you know, a couple months ago. Okay. So, >> sorry I didn't mean to throw something at you that you didn't know. I was
028just trying to clarify that. So, um Mr. Kenyon, [clears throat] I I'm clarified as much as I'm going to be. So, if you'd like to go on. >> Madam President, I have one question really quick. >> Sure. Go ahead. I do believe also that um there was discussion that the insurance was no longer going to be tied directly to um ASBA as well because so many districts have left ASBA. They've lost um they've lost several so it's it's affecting the insurance pool. I think we should also check with them to see if they've clarified that. There was strong discussion that they were going to um the insurance provider and their name escapes me at the moment um was going to make it some exceptions for members because they're losing they're losing so many people. Their
029insurance program is not going to keep working the same. We should probably get clarification on that as well from the insurance provider. >> President Schmidt and fellow board members, I'll make sure that um Miss Irma um looks into that. >> Thank you. Right. Mr. Kenyan, would you like to continue? >> Sure. Um, I would make a motion to approve the fiscal year 2027 soul source determinations, uh, with the exception of ASBA. >> Second. >> All right. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Uh, we can take a vote. Mr. Todd, >> I. >> Mr. Kenyon, >> I. >> Mr. Serion, >> hi. >> Miss Zimmerman, >> I. I'm also an I will show that passed five to zero. Um, moving on to agenda item 3.1, topics for future consideration. Um, [clears throat] everybody
030should there are some updates. Um, if you go look at the list, you'll see that that's coming. Um we're moving forward on getting these on the agendas as soon as we can in the upcoming July meetings. Um so that is just an update, but if there are any other uh new requests that you would like to add, >> Madam President. >> Yes. >> I'd like to have a board report on all of our consulting contracts from March 26th uh through present uh to include emails. um all discussions and the process of which all those consultants were decided upon. Um so a full report on that. Um also I'd like to add to the agenda item a way of getting some catching up our office staff and some of those that were skipped over on pay
031raises. I know we did a 2% this year but that does not catch them up from previous that we've told them we'll get you next year. It's it's time that we get them. And then um if we can get also get a uh update from staff and a board report of along with all the agenda items, what date they will be ready to present those. It doesn't necessarily mean they're going on the agenda, but at what point they feel they'll be ready to to move those forward for for the agenda when when they do get placed. I'll add those to the list. >> Thank you. Anything else? All right, then. Uh, agenda item 4.1, upcoming board meetings. Our next regular board meeting is on Tuesday, July 14th. Um, just a heads up, we are also
032planning on adding a special meeting on July 21st. That will likely be very much like tonight's meeting, um, consent only. Um, we also have a meeting on Tuesday, August 11th. That's a special and regular board meeting. And then Tuesday, September 15th. Um, and then also, if you have not yet responded to the email about the phase 5 dates for when we can schedule that, if you could please respond soon so we can get that scheduled with Dr. Joel and make sure that everybody can be in attendance. And with that, we can adjourn the meeting at 5:59 p.m. [music] >> [music] [music]