07.14.2025 Governing Board Meeting

001[Music] Liberty Elementary Governing Board is called to order today, Monday, June 14th, 2025 at the Jerry Roby facility. Matters today on the agenda will be our public hearing. We will move to item 1.2, our pledge of allegiance. And Mr. Shinsion, can you please lead us? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Next on our agenda is item 1.3, hearing to discuss the fiscal year 2526 adopted annual school budget uh expenditure budget. Miss Crystal Moer and Miss Rebecca Williams. Good evening, governing board community members. Welcome to Mr. McDonald. Um, what I'd like to do tonight is just kind of give a little refresher of what we talked about in June when we

002proposed the budget. Um, and then at the end, I'll open it up for any questions that you have for me. Okay. So, why are we here tonight? Um, we are here to talk about the budget adoption. Um, it's a state statute that requires school districts to do adopt our annual budget by July 15th. That's tomorrow. Um, notice of this public hearing and a summary of the budget is required to be published 10 days prior to the meeting. We did uh meet that requirement uh for this meeting tonight. Um, we also are required to upload the copy of our signed budget and our file by July 18th. So, we'll be doing that later this week. Um, and also published to our district website. Um, and as a reminder, our adopted budget and our proposed budget must

003be the same amounts. So, the file that you'll see attached to the item and that we'll be discussing, everything in the budget is the same. One change I wanted to note is just on the cover page, I've updated our superintendent's name to Mr. McDonald. So, what we used for the budget was our 100th day ADM. So, this is kind of our trend that we've had for the last few years. Um, we've increased very slightly. This budget that we based it on was our 2425 uh student count. So we went ahead and based our budget on students we actually have right now. So this is current data um versus prior years where we kind of built in a little bit of extra students. Right now the safe choice is to just base it on the students

004we have and then as we grow that's going to give us more and more. Um one thing to note uh kindergarten students count at half and the tuitionbased preschool students do not give us any funding. Um the state legislature did already notify us that we will be receiving uh $5,113 per student. Um so that's a bit of good news. That's what we based our budget on. Um and uh our summary of changes. So basically from our May revised budget to our adopted budget, there were some changes in some different areas. Um, so overall our budget limit for M and our M override did increase a bit. Uh, that's due to that that increase of the $5,113 per student. Um, and we had a few um extra students from our last budget change. What is changing

005right now is our carry forward is expected to be less this year than it was last year. Um, and we do not have at this moment in time, we do not have uh Prop 123 money. What we've been told in the last two weeks or so is that we should be getting some of our one-time funding. So, DAA and um free and reduced price lunch funding that we received this year that were supplements to our budget. We've been told the legislature did approve that um but we don't have any of the amounts yet. So that will be some bit of good news that we'll be able to add to our budget when we do the next revision. So overall, um, M will be down about 368,000 from what it was just in May. Um, and

006then for capital, uh, we did get a little bit more um, in that area, but we are still doing the transfer of 700,000 to move that into M for M needs. So, we're up a little bit um right around 159,000. So, when preparing the budget, we did take into consideration some of the reductions that we discussed all throughout the spring. So, uh areas that are reduced at this moment is support services, operations, memberships, consultants, subscriptions, um and supplemental based materials. Um, it is still the plan in FY26 to move as many things as we can out of M. Um, find creative uses for money, use alternative funding, get as many grants as there are available, just do the best job that we can to fit things where they should go. Um, also we're reducing our

007spending. So, kind of the needs versus wants. Uh, this year is really going to be about our needs and less about uh wishlist items. And then it's got going to come down to monitoring our budget because it is going to be tight. We're going to be uh closely monitoring the budget throughout the whole year so we can give reports to you um and also know where we're at at any point in time. Okay. So after tonight, our next steps um I kind of just laid it out a little bit for the rest of the fiscal year. So in October, our meeting in October, we'll have our 2425 annual financial report. While that doesn't have anything really to do with the budget, the reason I included that on here is because a lot of times um

008when we get questions, they're more about our expenses versus our budget. So the annual financial report is actually a great report that's required for us to submit because it has our actual expenses on it. So budget is just it's truly that it's just a budget of what areas we think we're going to spend, but the AFR is where we actually spent. And so that's that's usually a good report that shows real spending. Um and then December, that's when we're going to come back and do our budget revision for this year. A few reasons that we would do that. Uh to capture updates of ADM that we have by then. um that's when we can align with all of the legislative changes that have been decided so we'll really know what our dollar amounts are by

009then. Um and then we'll also be able to capture our carry forward because the AFR is where that carry forwards final. So then in the December revision you can capture that money moving over into the new year. Then in May we'll do another revision that again will capture um updates to our ADM. um that's where we'll align more closely. We'll move the budget around to where actual expenses are occurring. Um so the different kind of areas of spending um and then that's our final chance for revision for the year. Then um as we've talked about in a few meetings, but uh August we'll uh start doing monthly budget reporting. So that will first come before the board at the September meeting. So August the month will close um and then we'll prepare actual expenses um

010encumbrances and we'll bring forward a report so that you can see based on our budget uh where we're at at the end of August. Um and then sometime in the fall winter spring budget work will begin for 2627. It will be right around the corner. Um, and then June 8th, the last meeting of this year, is when we'll propose that budget for the next year. So, it's it's a continuous process all the time and it just starts over again. So, what questions do you have for me? >> Members, any questions? >> Uh, Miss Zimmerman. >> Oh, sorry. Yes. Thank you so much. Um, you know, first, thank you so much. Um, I really appreciate the list of the dates. I think it helps um us, you know, and transparently transparently for us to be able

011to know, you know, when these are going to come before us. Um so I appreciate that. Um you know, I guess I just really have a few comments because we really, you know, went through all the questions um because the budget can't change. Um, and um, you know, I really appreciate that we're going to have a um, uh, budget update. And I just would ask that if we have the opportunity to kind of give feedback for the first month or two to make sure that it's it's doing what we all want it to do. Um, because it is new that, you know, some changes might need to be made. >> Absolutely. Um and then the only other um thing is that um when we were discussing um the FTEES um in June and um you

012stated that you know they don't always line up and so um my hope as a board member is that we could get those kind of to line up um and work towards that because I think it helps show the public um what we are spending our money on and it helps us to be able to compare yeartoyear. So, you know, it was hard for me to like look at um and then compared like where we made the reductions, you know, I I guess it was just I wanted to see it in the FTEES. Um and so, you know, I know things are, you know, been challenging, but um my hope is that we just can move towards, you know, that for transparency purposes with the public. >> Thank you so much, >> Mr. President. M

013Vice President Kenyon, please go. >> Yeah. Just just a quick thank you to your staff, your your group. Um you guys have done a lot of lot of work over the last couple months and I know we've had a lot of meetings. We've been running around like crazy. You guys have been running around like crazy. Thank you for getting all this together to where we can we're here tonight, right? And we're going to be able to vote on this and um I just want to recognize your guys' work and you guys did a lot. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any further comments, questions? Okay, members. Uh, hearing no more. We'll move to item 1.4, a call to the public for the hearing of annual school district expenditure budgets. Just a reminder for the

014public, uh, I believe this is a red form, right? >> Yes. >> It's a red form and this is specifically for the budget comments. We'll have a regular public comment session in our general general meeting. This is just for the budget. >> We have, Mr. President, we do have two speakers. Okay. First one I'm going to call is Mr. Paul Jensen. Uh, thank you very much for the opportunity to ask some questions. Um, I did, um, email some of the questions just because I recognize and know this this isn't a gotcha. I just wanted to have you prepared so that you could ask the questions or um respond to them. Um and all the questions I sent I still do have. Um first question, what are the calculations for the average teacher salary on page

015one? Um when looking at the list of all the teacher salaries looks like there are only a few that are above that number. And so how how are we getting that $61,000 when it doesn't appear like that's the case? Um what were the promise savings from using the electric buses and what is the amount of savings for the electric buses being budgeted? How will the operations and maintenance of the plant remain on budget as it has recently gone higher in recently years and should really be going down? What is going to be the impact if we have fewer staff than budgeted? Um will we get long-term subs, contractors, combined classes? What that what's that going to look like? Um and and kind of along with that, how are we going to as in the mission

016statement, guarantee a high level of education if we are have such limited staff? Um how will the override money that is supposed to provide extracurricular activities and lower class sizes be utilized? Um my son recently lost his band teacher that he's so adored at Rainbow. Um and there doesn't seem to be a replacement. Um it breaks my heart and his as well and as well as all the other um uh band students out there. Um are the reductions in Medicaid from the federal government taken into account? Um I I assume we get Medicaid dollars and with the federal government reducing that um have we taken into account and recognize that we might not get reimbursed as much? Um, and then just kind of what are you most afraid of as as I run budgets and

017look at and there's always something that's kind of like ah this is what I'm worried about or this is kind of what's going on. And then what are you doing to to kind of mitigate that or help make sure that that thing that's keeping you up at night is hopefully not going to keep you up at night and so that we can all kind of rally around you and make sure and support you in making that worst case scenario not happen. Okay, next speaker. All right, next speaker we have Miss Ashley Wright. >> Good evening. My name is Ashley Wright and I live in the district. I'm speaking tonight as a concerned parent deeply invested in the future of our district. First, let me be clear about the budget situation. We were told the district

018was not operating at a deficit, but the reality is we were over our projected budget. That distinction is crucial. If the necessary cuts hadn't been made, we would have been facing a true deficit, meaning the district would have been spending beyond its means. The situation reflects serious mismanagement. By definition, mismanagement is the process of managing something ineffectively, incompetently, or dishonestly. That's exactly what we've seen. A lack of proper oversight, inadequate financial planning, and leadership that failed to keep expenditures in check. Furthermore, the way this information was communicated to the public was misleading and incomplete. Presenting the financial situation in a way that downplays the budget overrun does a disservice to the community and prevents us from understanding the true true scope scope of the problem. This kind of distorted information erodess trust and undermines confidence

019in district leadership. Now, we face another pressing challenge. Staffing to meet federal and state requirements for special education services. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, school districts are legally required to provide related services that include timely psychological evaluations and support. In Arizona, the Department of Education recommends a school psychologist to student ratio of approximately 1 to 1,000 to 1 to500. But to meet IDEA mandates, districts must ensure enough psychologists are employed to provide timely and appropriate assessments, interventions, and counseling. Currently, we only have one school psychologist employed in the entire district. This is far from sufficient to meet these legal requirements and puts our students at risk of delayed evaluations and inadequate support, both of which can have serious consequences. If these positions cannot be filled internally, the district may be forced to contract

020out services at significantly higher costs. Has this been accounted for in the revised budget? If not, how will these costs be managed without further impacting essential programs and classroom resources? Superintendent McDonald, we need strong, transparent leadership that p prioritizes fiscal responsibility and compliance with both federal law and state recommendations. Board members, your role in overseeing this process is critical to preventing further mismanagement and protecting the needs of all students. We are watching closely and expect accountability, not just promises. Thank you, >> Mr. President. That concludes our public speaking. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay, we've completed our public hearing. We will show that adjourned at 5:46. Now we're going to open our next meeting. This will be the call of the Liberty Elementary School District governing board to order. Jerry Roby District Facility for our general

021meeting. We already concluded the pledge of allegiance previously. We'll move on to item 3.2, approve of the regular agenda. >> Uh Mr. President motion to approve the regular agenda form consistent with board policy 1-302 and temporarily suspend governing board policy with which this agenda may be inconsistent. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Okay. I have a motion, a second to approve the agenda. There's no discussion. We'll call the vote. Board member Schmidt. >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Vice President Kenyan. >> I. >> Board member Sinion. >> I. All sign we'll show that approve five yes zero no. Next item on our agenda is item 4.1. This will be a report on attorney general's open meeting law investigation and findings. Mr. Mark Hansen, you can stay there, Superintendent, members of the

022board, members of the public. My name is Mark Hansen. Um, and I was uh brought on as outside counsel for the univers, excuse me, for the district to work with the Arizona Attorney General's office in investigating open meeting law violation allegations. I want to make it clear that our role was to represent the district as outside council and we are uh basically seven months later here to discuss the outcome of those allegations. Just a quick refresher on Arizona's open meeting law. The open meeting law requires that meetings of public bodies be properly noticed and open to the public. Additionally, although a public body may go into executive session to receive legal advice or to discuss confidential topics, any votes of the public body must be conducted in open session. The open meeting law is set

023forth generally in ARS Arizona Revised Statute and the subsequent sections. This takes us to an overview of the Attorney General's Office's investigation. Um, late last year and early this year, the Arizona Attorney General's office received 18 alleged violations of the open meeting law. That does not mean 18 separate complaints. There were several complaints. We simply don't know exactly how many there were, but there were 18 alleged violations of the open meeting law. The Arizona Attorney General's office has a dedicated department for this and the Open Meeting Law Department uh opened and conducted this investigation to determine whether or not the district had in fact violated Arizona's open meeting law. The Attorney General's office devoted more than five months of investigative time to this investigation and ultimately issued a 10-page report. That report was uh issued

024on June 20th of this year and the attorney general's office found no violations of the open meeting law on any of the 18 complaint items. >> I want to review some of those allegations and the attorney general's findings related to those invest uh investigations. One of the allegations was that in early 2023, specifically January and February, the board allegedly held executive sessions to discuss the resignation of the superintendent and the process for le selecting a replacement. The complaint alleged that these sessions either exceeded their intended scope or involved improper legal action during executive session. The investigation conducted by the attorney general's office concluded that the board provided proper notice and did not exceed the scope of any of the executive sessions that occurred. The board's discussions were limited to the agenda's items and obtaining legal

025advice on contract member uh matters including the contract with the superintendent. The attorney general's office also concluded that no votes or action took place in executive session. That's important because any votes or official action have to occur in open session consistent with the open meeting law. Allegations were made that the board was conducting business in private rather than in open meetings and the attorney general's office and the investigation uh found no evidence that that was the case. There was no discussions or legal actions taken during executive sessions or outside of public meetings. There were also allegations that board members improperly selected or solicited new legal counsel without board approval. The attorney general's office found that was not the case. that board members are allowed to speak with law firms or potential council and contractors individually

026and that any hiring decisions that the district made was were made in open meetings properly noticed as required by the open meeting law. There were also allegations in those 18 complaint items that the board had acted improperly by conducting activities outside of public meetings. That included a complaint about a school tour of a different school in a different district and allegations of emails or social media posts that were allegedly violations of the open meeting law. Again, the attorney general's office found no violations. There was no quorum at any of the meetings and no evidence that the board business was actually discussed or any decisions were made during the school tour or at any point outside of properly noticed open meetings. The attorney's general's office also found that there were no improper communications by board members.

027Again, this touches on social media and email chains. Um, the attorney general's office concluded after reviewing all of those communications that the board did not act improperly and that there was no effort to skirt the open meeting law either. Just one more point. Um, the attorney general's office also stated that board members are permitted to express personal opinions or views outside of public meetings, even if those do impact the district and its operations. The Attorney General's office found no basis for the remaining complaint items. um specifically work session agendas were properly detailed and there was no evidence that the board was attempting to evade the public meeting law requirements through its work sessions either. The complaint items also included a complaint about the 3minut limitation on public comment. The attorney general's office found that three

028minutes was a reasonable period of time for public comment and had been widely adopted not just by Liberty but by other school districts around the state. So key conclusions, the attorney general concluded that the open, excuse me, that the Liberty Governing Board complied with the opening meeting law and had not violated it on any of the 18 complaint items. The board's actions were consistent with the state requirements for both agendaizing public items for discussion and also for exe executive session materials. Again, there were no violations of the open meeting law for any of the 18 complaint items. Do we have any questions from the members of the board? >> Mr. President. >> Yes, M. >> Um, thank you so much for the presentation. I just have a couple of questions. Um, you know, you stated

029that you um were um outside counsel. So, how did the district determine the need for outside counsel for this? the district when it receives a complaint, it will be turned over to the state trust. >> Okay. >> Which will then assign outside counsel. >> Okay. So, you were assigned. >> Correct. >> Okay. By the trust. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um and then you know you mentioned that the AG conducted an investigation for 5 months. What did that investigation look like? The attorney general's investigation involved um once received the complaints, doing follow-up with the complaintants to obtain more details and more um any evidence that they had of the alleged open meeting law violations and then notifying the district, which is what triggered the district notifying the trust and getting outside counsel. and the attorney general's

030office basically reached out to the district in a written communication detailing the 18 complaint items and requiring the district to provide its response to those 18 complaint items. The district and its staff worked to gather the responsive materials and turned those over to the attorney general's office. reviewing those materials, the attorney general's office had follow-ups for both the complaintants and for the district. The district and its staff again worked to address the attorney general's requests. The attorney general's office then reviewed all of the materials that it had received and issued that 10-page report concluding no violations of the open meeting law. >> Okay. Thank you. And just one last question. Um on one of the slides it talked about how um the attorney general said that board members are able to um you know talk

031to outside uh potential council and contractors. Um and it says all board members. So I just want to clarify that that truly means all board members or just the board president. >> So that's a good question. Board members are allowed to discuss board business outside of open meetings as long as two things are true. One, as long as there's not a quorum present and there's no discussion of uh district operations or business outside of a public meeting that has a quorum. Okay? So, a quorum of board members can't get together outside of public meeting and discuss bi district business um especially without notifying the public of the meeting. The board acts with authority only when the board acts together. So, there's there's not any individual member of the board who can bind the board. >>

032Correct. I understand. I just want to clarify um because it says that board members can speak with potential council and contractors. So that is any board member. >> The attorney general's office is limiting its report to the open meeting law. It's not a violation of the open meeting law for any board member to have that discussion. That may be if any board member were to have that discussion, that may be a violation of either procurement code or the district's policies, but that's a case-byase decision. >> Okay. Thank you for the clarification. >> Any other questions, Mr. President? May. >> You may. >> I just want to thank you for coming and giving this uh this brief to us. This is a serious allegations. Um, and nobody here wants to violate any laws, uh, get in

033trouble or do anything that looks shady to the public. So, thank you for coming and explaining the process to us. >> Not a problem at all. The open meeting law is one that gets widely misunderstood. Um, and here it's just unfortunate that the complaints were brought to the AG's office without an understanding of that what the law requires. But, um, we're thankful that there was a positive outcome for the district here. Thank you sir. Uh hold tight because we got believe an executive session for this also. So pursuant to item 4.2 uh pursuant to ARS 38431 A3 be a call for executive session for legal advice from attorney of the public body and to consider its position and instruct its attorney regarding the public meeting public body's position regarding attorney general's open meeting law investigation

034and findings. Mr. President, could I ask a question? >> You can. >> Um, you know, I appreciate the presentation and I and I feel like we covered. Are there other things that need to be discussed in executive session? >> That would have to be decided in the executive session. That's why we have it on here. It may not be a long session, but there could be some things to discuss. >> Mr. President, I make a motion to call for an executive session pursuant to ARS 38-431A3 for legal advice for or from attorney of the public body to consider its position and instruct its attorney regarding the public body's position regarding uh our attorney general's open meeting law investigation and findings. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. Have the motion in the second for

035executive session pursuant to ARS or discussion legal advice on the attorney general's open meeting law investigation findings. If there's no further discussion, we'll take a vote. Board member Schmidt >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> Nay. >> Vice President Kenyon. >> I. Board member Stencion. I >> I'm also I will show that approved for yes. One no. 4 to1 vote at 602. We'll show executive session now. [Music] Hey. [Music] Hey. Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. [Music] Hey. [Music] around. You [Music] Are you? [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Heat [Music] up [Music] here. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] I [Music] don't know. [Music] Okay, the time is 6:13. We're going to show we're reconvening into public meeting. We're going to move to item

0364.4, which is pursuant to ARS 38431 A3 and 4. Call for an executive session for legal advice from attorney of the public body and receive a receive and review a report of an investigation conducted in regard to the conduct of a member of the governing board. Thereafter, the board may give direction to council in relation to council's findings in the report. A motion and a second, please. Mr. President, motion to call for executive session pursuant to ARS 38431 A3 and four for legal advice from attorney of the public body and receive and review a report of an investigation conducted in regards to the conduct of a member of the governing board. Thereafter, the board may be given Oh, I don't think he all that. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. Okay.

037I have a motion. I have a second. There's no discussion. We'll take a vote. Board member Schmidt. >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Vice President Kenyan. >> I. >> Board member Stencion. >> I'm also I will show we're moving into executive session at 6:14 p.m. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. [Music] My [Music] name. Keep [Music] it. [Music] Too late. [Music] How are you? [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] Hey baby. [Music] I'm [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Lou. [Music] Hey. Hey. [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] my [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. Happy [Music] dance. [Music] Happy [Music] baby. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Hey, hey,

038hey. [Music] I [Music] feel [Music] Happy [Music] chick. [Music] I want you. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] Tell me down. [Music] I want you. [Music] Hey. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] Hey. [Music] Hey, [Music] skip it. [Music] Baby, [Music] I'm [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] All right. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] Everything. [Music] I want you. [Music] to heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey. [Music] Hey. Hey. [Music] Hey everybody. [Music] Down the ground. [Music] down. [Music] Hey [Music] Okay, the time

039is 7:14 p.m. will show that we're back into our public meeting general session. Next item on the agenda is 4.6 motion for direction to the board's attorney and or staff to take action as instructed by the governing board. This will be related to our uh executive session that we just had which was item 4.4 I believe is that clarify 4.2 >> 4.4 sir >> 4.4 for. Okay, I'll take a motion and a second. >> All right, I'll make the motion. Um, I motion that the following occur. One, the investigation report be made public and copies be sent to the county superintendent, state superintendent, and department of education. Two, board members Zimmerman have no contact with staff without going through the board president. >> Mr. Kenyon, can I stop you for a second? You need to

040give in your motion to give staff and the attorney this directive. >> Yes, this direction is for staff and attorney. >> Maybe just clean up. Just just start from I think if you start it and in the very beginning and then one >> let me let me start over. Motion to give direction to the board's attorney and staff that the following occur. One, the investigation report be made public and copies be sent to the county superintendent, state superintendent, and department of education. Two, board member Zimmerman have no contact without with staff without going through the board president. Three, board member Zimmerman have no contact with legal counsel without going through the board president. Four, that district staff only communicate with board member Zimmerman through the superintendent. Five, board member Zimmerman will attend an inerson sensitivity

041training and we will add board sensitivity sensitivity training to the upcoming board retreat. And six, board member Zimmerman will issue public apology and the board president will issue an apology on behalf of the board for its members actions. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? Hearing none, I will call for the vote. Board member Schmidt. >> I'm sorry. Did you say >> I said I >> My apologies. >> Board members Zimmerman. >> Nay. And I'd like to explain my vote. >> Okay. Vice President Kenyon. >> I. >> Board member Shinion. >> I'm also an I. We'll show that approved. Four. yeses, one no. Miss Zimmerman, >> the reason I'm a nay is because I believe that I should have the opportunity to email directly with the superintendent and

042not have to go through the board president. Our next item is 4.7 pursuant to ARS 38431 A3 and 4. Call for executive session for legal advice from attorney of the public body and to consider its position and instruct its attorney regarding the public body's position regarding contracts that are the subject of negotiations in pending or contemplated litigation or in settlement discussions conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation. This pertains to a Westar Elementary teacher summer event contract. >> Mr. Present a motion to call for executive session pursuant to ARS 38431A3 and 4 for legal advice from attorney of the public body and consider pos consider its position and instruction its attorney regarding the public body's position. Well, I should read that twice or on there twice. uh regarding contracts that are the subject of

043negotiations in pending or contemplated litigation or in settlement discussions conduction conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation reference to Westire Elementary teacher summer event contract. >> That came out clear enough. >> We have a second. >> I second. >> Okay, we have a motion. We have a second. If there's no discussion, we'll take the vote. Board member Schmidt. I >> board members Zimmerman. >> Hi, >> Vice President Kenyon. >> I board member Shinsion. >> Hi, >> I'm Alson. I will show that approved. Five. Yes. Zero. No. It's 7:19. We're back in executive session. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Baby. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] Somebody. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Oh, [Music] hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Sab. [Music]

044Hey. [Music] Stay around. [Music] I want you. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] together. Down. [Music] I'm sugar. [Music] Hey, [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Time is 7:45. We're back into our public meeting. Move on to item 4.9. Motion for direction to the board's attorney to take action as instructed by the governing board. Take a motion and a second. Mr. President, I make a motion to authorize legal counsel to proceed with the settlement as discussed in the executive session and to notify staff to file a complaint with Department of Education. >> Second. Okay. Okay, I have a motion, a second for item 4.9. Give legal ad or give uh direction to the legal team. There's no discussion, we'll take a vote. Board member Schmidt, >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman, >>

045nay. And I'd like to explain my vote. >> Vice President Kenyon, >> I. >> Board member Shinion, >> I'm also I. We'll show a four yes. one. No. Motion did pass. Miss Zimmerman. >> Uh, I'm not in agreement with the filing of a complaint to the Department of Education. >> All right. 5.1. This will be part of our administrative report. Core construction update presentation on Loretta Zumbro Elementary School. Mr. Young. Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, members of the board. We have Whitney Bun here with Core Construction who's going to give us a update on the construction of the new Loretta Zumbro Elementary School. Whitney, all yours. >> Thanks, Bob. Um, President Todd and Vice President Kenyon, members of the board. Uh, we are so grateful to be here tonight just to give a quick update

046on the new and upcoming Lorettto Zumbro, Loretta Zumbro Elementary School. Um, since we provided the last update in December, I just wanted to give once again a quick introduction to the team members that have been on this project. So, as Bob stated, my name is Whitney Bun and I'm a project director for core and Zach Fu is the project manager who's on site and Eric Decker is our superintendent. also from DLR group there is uh David Schmidt who's the architect and Jim Lamb who's the construction administrator. Um so kind of getting into it I just wanted to give a quick update. Um when we when we last gave an update in December we were at about 88 days into construction and as of the time that I put this together a couple days ago or

047last week we are at 301 days. So, I think now we're probably at 305. And the labor hours uh in December was 13,500. We're now over 60,000 hours of labor on the project. The cost complete to date um back in December was around 5 million and now we're um approaching 25 million, which is getting really close to the end of this job. And the schedule completed is approximately 95%. So, we're down to the final kind of days and and weeks of of finishing this job. And we're thankful to the community and the neighbors who have been so gracious to work alongside of us. Uh we've had um barricades and things up along Lower Buckeye Road if any of you drive over there. And and so we're still happy to to um report that we haven't

048had any neighbor complaints. So, that's that's a huge win. um getting into it. Here's a a quick drone video of where we were at about se just over seven months ago. We were finishing uh this building E and getting close to topping that out and we were working extensively on all of the other buildings that are on this campus. And so fast forward two months, um, all of the buildings are now fully topped out with the masonry and we're starting to put the roofing materials on. And we're working on site work and doing a lot of the underground utilities that have to go into a school like this and the infra infrastructure that runs it. And then fast forward another two months, we've made a ton of progress and have started putting AC units on

049the roof. um starting to paint the buildings, putting the aluminum window frames in and the the windows uh doors and a lot of the interior starting to come together. And as of last week, this is uh the most recent video that we took on July 9th. Uh we are about 99% complete with all the concrete installation, the playground, as you can see on the the northwest corner of the site that is finished. that was just finishing is is now 100%. Um, we have permanent power. So, Arizona Public Service, they were able to provide us uh with a transformer and provide permanent power to the site. So, all of the buildings like the air conditioning units and everything are running, the lights are running uh very very efficiently. Um, all of the roofing is uh 100%

050complete. We're putting in trees, landscaping, plants, finished up the last bit of the on-site pavement, and and some of the items that we're working on in these last few weeks. I also like to report that we that we achieved uh our life safety inspections as of this morning. We passed uh the final fire inspections with the state fire marshal. And so the buildings are are pretty much ready to occupy. We have furniture being moved into the buildings this week and through next week. The the vendor uh was hired by the school district and they're they're starting to bring in the furniture into the buildings. And so uh they will be ready for occupancy next week. And I just wanted to to thank the Liberty School District for being such a great partner in working with

051us. Um, this has been a challenging project. It took just a little over nine months to get to the point that we're at and that's a pretty impressive feat. Um, and just would like to thank Bob Young. He's been very instrumental in in helping us get a lot of questions answered and and supporting us from the district's end uh to make sure that this project could meet the schedule and and also uh be under budget. Uh also would like to thank Bruce the the principal who will be the principal at this site as well for attending some of the meetings and providing input and also Lane the uh IT director. He's been very helpful in getting all of the um Cox communications, the infrastructure needed to to make sure that the teachers and the staff

052can have internet on day one. Well, really this week. So, um so yeah, with that being said, we're we're very excited to turn this over to the school district and for the staff and students to start occupying. Um, and I guess with that, I'll just open it up to any questions to the board. >> Members, any questions? >> Hey, Mr. President, >> Vice President Kenyon. >> Um, thank you, Whitney, for this presentation. It's awesome to see how how quick you guys were able to get this going and and the turnaround is actually pretty impressive. Um, I know there were some big obstacles that were dealing with the city of Goodyear and APS and all that kind of stuff, but it looks like things came together finally and you're able to get this. My my question

053is I see the new black top here on this road that runs along Loretta's Umbrella where that connects um down here in front of the school. That's there's going to be a stoplight there. Correct. >> That's correct. >> Is that currently there or not yet? It's not currently there. Um, so it's not currently there. >> Okay. My my question then is um do you anticipate that being there before school opens? Probably not. But if not, are we planning on doing some kind of a stop sign there or something? That's that's a critical juncture right there where the kids can be crossing the street. >> Absolutely. So, the city of Goodyear um required a street light, street signal to be installed at the corner of 183rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. And when that requirement came

054into play, um there are certain lead times that come along with getting the materials for for such a project. And there there wasn't enough time from the time that that uh became a requirement to to this day to have those materials here on site. And so as a backup plan, we've we have uh procured a temporary traffic signal that will be in place on July 25th and that has been approved by the city of Goodyear. They've reviewed the specs for that temporary traffic signal and it's going to operate according to their city standards, their their traffic um directors and and people that that work uh specifically in in in traffic. They they've reviewed all of that and they're they're accepting of of that temporary structure being there until we get the permanent fixtures in. Um,

055but all of the underground infrastructure for the street light signal is um in place and it will be ready as soon as the permanent fixtures arrive and can be installed. And so further down the road, I we anticipate that that isn't going to happen until the October or November time frame for the permanent fixtures to be here and to to be installed. And so at that time we'll it it there will always be an active traffic signal there. So when they do the switch over it's kind of a seamless type of thing. So >> yeah, thank you. That was my concern because that is a busy road. You know, cars fly down that road and if that's going to be one of our crosswalks, right, going across that street possibly. There's kids in the neighborhood.

056>> So having a nice safe spot there is very important. So thank you. >> Yep. You bet. Any further questions, >> Mr. President? >> Mim, >> um, uh, have ha, uh, is the district, uh, do we have occupancy or not yet? >> Um, we we haven't received the certificate of occupancy yet from Maricopa County. There have been there have been two governing entities involved with this project. One of them has been Maricopa County and then the other one has been the city of Goodyear. So Maricopa County will be the ones that issue the building uh certificate of occupancy for each of the buildings and that is planned um for next Monday. So >> so the 21st >> correct? >> Okay. And so when that occupancy is achieved then staff can begin to move in. Is

057that correct or >> correct? >> Okay. >> Correct. So as of today um we have I as I explained earlier we have received um the approvals from the fire marshall for life safety purposes. So, for all intents and purposes, the the buildings are safe and they are able to um currently be occupied by folks that are bringing in furniture and and others that want to come and see the space. So, um but as far as moving in the act like boxes and and starting to set up the rooms, that will be allowed after we receive the CFO. So, >> okay. Um, are we running on budget for this project? >> Yeah, we are. >> Okay. And, um, you know, I assume, but I'm just going to ask based on when we getting occupancy, you expect

058the school to be able to open as planned on time. >> Sorry, can you repeat that? based on when you're going to get occupancy there should you don't do you foresee anything that could hold up you know us not getting occupancy and not being able to open. >> No, not not at this time. No, we are fully anticipating to to achieve the certificate of occupancy for each of the five buildings. Um, we've already have spoken with the Maricopa County inspectors extensively and they're aware of, you know, obviously they're aware of of the requirements to open the school and uh they had a list of things that are required and those items are are being crossed off and they will be completed for for next week. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you so much for all your

059work. >> Yep. Any other questions, Whitney? I don't know if this picture shows, but some of those who are here uh in the audience and then us on the board were there for the groundbreaking. Where was that at? Where were we standing? Do you know? >> Um let me see if I can go back. And so the groundbreaking took place a whole lot of change since that time. >> Oh yeah. >> So that that top corner of the site is where we had the groundbreaking. It's definitely changed a little bit. Perfect. Looks so much different now. >> I would just say thank you. Uh Core has always been a great partner to work with on construction sites and doing this in the time you did. Uh you've probably set yourself up for failure because now

060every school district is going to want this. I told them you can do it. So um but great job and you walking the site when you invited me to the construction meeting a couple weeks ago was spectacular to see it. Some of these most of these rooms are already final cleaned and just literally waiting for that occupancy. So >> yes, sir, >> we really appreciate all the work you've done. It's truly remarkable to get this thing built as quick as it were. And I know there were struggles in the beginning. Anytime you've got two government agencies as we're transitioning from county property over to city property is not any uh builder's dream. So no, thank you. Right. Right. >> Thank you. >> Great job. And appreciate you guys do such a great job even with

061the drone footage. let our citizens see. Unless we got helicopters, we wouldn't be seeing this. So, thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> I'm sorry for keeping you so late. We had some business to get taken care of. >> This is great. >> Be back out there at 4 in the morning to keep this thing on schedule. >> Exactly. Perfect. So, thank you. >> All right. Thank you so much. >> All right. We'll move to item 5.2, superintendent updates. This will be a little team effort tonight with uh Mr. Trevor McDonald and Dr. Stephanie Mahorn. Good evening, uh, President Todd, Vice President Kenyon, members of the board. I'm going to start and then I'm going to tag team with Mr. McDonald. I would just like to start with a quick, uh, staffing update. This

062is an update even as of uh, July 9th when you received a formal email from me. Um, we still do, uh, we still are hiring and I'm focusing on teachers because that's what my my main focus is is getting teachers in front of our students. Um, we have a few a few uh teacher openings left at most buildings. Um, as you know, the main concern was Rainbow. We do always have usually the most um, openings at Rainbow. I think it's because of location. Uh, last I emailed you, uh, we had 12 openings. As of today, right this moment, we have six. Um, so our our new principal, Julie Lee Sea, is working really, really hard. And I'm uh really confident that we are going to um fill our teacher openings. Not just fill them with

063teachers, but our principles are interviewing and working on filling them with quality teachers. not just to fill them just to put a body in a classroom. So that's news and good news in my opinion. >> All right. Uh uh day one almost in the books. I'm hope I'm hopeful it's almost in the books if I can drop a hint at all. um the a great day and I was able to meet all the principles and I think the the thing that we I keep bringing back in my head and wanting to focus on is I'm I'm hearing a just so many positive things about what's happening in the district but also there's a there is a serious amount of energy here uh going forward talking to these principles getting on campuses teachers in classrooms and

064I would challenge challenge every single one of us in this room to focus on the positive because what what makes an organization special. It's not the challenges, right? Because everybody has challenges and we're not special. We're no no more no more special than anybody else for our challenges. What can make us special is what we're doing to highlight um kids. that energy I'm seeing in in and around campuses, the energy from principles, that's where that magic's going to happen. We're here to support you and I just challenge all of us in this room to continue to focus on the positive, continue to focus on kids and I really feel like some we're going to have a good year. I know we're going to have a good year and um great things happening. So, it's it's

065getting close. We're excited. I'm excited and um I can really feel it. So, I I just want to continue to keep that momentum and uh really go forward in a positive direction. Thank you. >> Thank you. We'll move item 6.1, governing board updates. M. Schmidt. >> Uh thank you, Mr. President. Um there hasn't been much. I mean, there's been a lot going on in the district, but I haven't been out and about in the district since our last meeting. So, the only things that I've been taking care of are are the numerous board meetings that we've had and all of the work we've been doing here. Um, but I'm looking forward to school starting next month and then getting back out and being in the buildings and meeting some of the kids and seeing all

066the fun stuff that we're getting to do. So, thank you. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> Um, I just wanted to take this time to uh welcome Mr. McDonald to Liberty. Um, you know, I'm excited for you to be here and um, you know, hopeful that we can all work together to prioritize student learning. >> Vice President Kenyon. >> Yeah, I echo both my board members. Uh, we we've done a lot as a board. Um, the district's done a lot. Teachers getting ready for their campuses and uh, all the families going back to school shopping. There's a lot of lot going on here. Welcome, Superintendent uh, McDonald. It's going to be a I I feel it's going to be a good year. We just have to, like you said, continue to focus on the positive, highlight

067these kids. We got a lot of wonder, wonderful, wonderful kids in our district. So, um, it's going to be a fun year. >> Board member Stencion, >> nothing to add. >> All right. I think you guys covered most everything. Uh, as I alluded, I was invited by Core over to a construction meeting, Lorz Zumbro. Uh, just a spectacular build. I want to remind everybody that we built that on a shoestring budget. um the failure of the bond. We got school facilities board money only with uh a little bit extra that we were able to basically forced to come up with. Um but the school is beautiful. It's going to be very nice. It's going to serve that area well and uh as we continue to see growth, the numbers will continue to come up for

068that that school. So, um as everybody else alluded, we spent a lot of time working with uh the process to hire our interim superintendent. Um, I think it's great having you on board. We look forward to it. A lot of fresh ideas. Your energy is uh through the roof. We're going to take away your microphone because you are bolsterous. So, you'll still be able to talk. We just won't need the >> Well, we're going to we're going to do our best to make sure you get a full ride experience on your first day. So, get all our money's worth out of you. But, uh um with that, we'll move to item 7.1, guidelines for public comment. This will be our public comment section. And just a reminder as in all public comment sessions pursuant to

069ARS 3843101H uh we may conduct an open call to the public which we are doing a reminder that the board typically is not able to comment on any public comments. We ask you to keep your time to 3 minutes. At the end of 3 minutes the IT department will stop the video and the microphone and we'll move to the next candidate. As a reminder to the audience uh it is not appropriate to make any noise during public comment. that also can cause some problems for us. So we ask that you remain silent no matter how much you agree or disagree or anything in the middle. Just please respect the respect the meeting and the open meeting laws. Vice President Kenny, I think you have the list of speakers. >> Yes, Mr. President. We can go

070ahead and start with Mr. Paul Jensen. My name is Paul Jensen, a parent in the district. Welcome, Superintendent McDonald. Um, I I hope you can come and help us out. Um, the mission statement says that you'll guarantee learning at high levels for all students. I'm curious what your definition first of of what high education is because everybody has a different definition of what that is and I feel like you're only concerned about what your definition of high level is. I' I'd love some input from more than just the board and listen to us, please. As well as all um I' I've heard comments that say some members of the governing board only represent the constituents that they um that voted for them and that they're not interested in listening to other people's opinion. So, if

071you're not going to truly provide the education for all students, adjust that to say which students you're going to provide that high level of education for. Um, some comments have been made on the social media by board members um that appear to revel in the fact that we lost the recall and that the losses are piling up for this group. It saddens me that that was the point of view because we are all together. We are a unified district. If one of us loses, we all lose. The comment was made that now that the recall is over, we can work on fixing the problem. We've tried to be fixing that problem the whole time. I think the problem is is that some people don't recognize what that problem is and the governing board seems to

072think that since they are in control and have the power they get to dictate what the problem is for the district and that is not the case. We need to get together and have that communication so that we can work on the problem because that's been the goal this whole time. Everybody wants high quality education for the students. The challenge is let's get that defined. The open meeting law investigation I think demonstrated that you can push the boundaries. It feels kind of like that um stage coach driver that's driving right on the edge of that cliff and pushing it and gets excited because he got really close to that cliff. The open meeting laws are to help ensure transparency and that the communi the community all works together and to think that oh sweet now

073we know we can go this much closer to the cliff is not the case. We want transparency. It used to be in the one of the core values and it got removed. Um, >> sorry, your time is up. >> All right. Thank you. Next, we have Ashley Wright. Good evening again. My name is Ashley Wright. I do reside in the district. As a parent member of this community, I wanted to extend a sincere welcome to Superintendent McDonald. You're stepping into a role that carries tremendous responsibility, and we recognize the road ahead is complex. You're arriving at a time when our district is hurting. We've lost too many exceptional teachers. Morale has suffered and many families, my own included, have felt unheard, especially in recent years. Some of us took bold steps to try to change

074that. We advocated, we organized, and yes, we pursued a schoolboard recall because we believed our voices weren't being valued and that critical decisions weren't reflecting what's best for our children. That recall effort may not have succeeded on paper, but I want to be clear, the passion behind it has not gone away. If anything, it's deepened our commitment. We're here, we're watching, and we are still fighting for the schools our children deserve. Superintendent McDonald, we don't expect miracles overnight, but we do expect steadfast leadership grounded in truth, transparency, and a genuine w will willingness to engage with this community, especially those who have felt dismissed or discouraged. We expect a clear plan to address teacher attrition, not just hiring bodies to fill rooms, but investing in great educators and making this a place where they can

075thrive. That includes better support, respectful communication, and yes, fiscal responsibility. Every budget decision must reflect real priorities. our classrooms, our teachers, and our kids. And we expect accountability, not only from you, but from every corner of this district's leadership. Trust has been broken. It will take time to rebuild it. But that starts with honesty, humility, and open doors. We didn't advocate for change because it was easy. We did it because we care. We're not going anywhere, and neither is our dedication to making this district stronger. We're ready to work with you. We hope you'll work with us. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Shelley Cross. Hi, I'm Shelley Cross and I live in the district and I just want to thank President Todd and Vice President Kenyon. Um today I just want to um talk

076about how thankful I am for the gentleman on this board. Um I think there's a quote and I'm sure a lot of us have heard it. Um it is uh the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. And I'm so thankful that the men here have stood strong in the face of lies um that and slander, especially trying to recall Chris Kenyon. I'm not even sure uh the reasons. They've all been debunked. Um and the one thing I've been wanting to talk about, you've slandered Chris Kenyard's name. You've put his face on the side of a van and you have targeted him. In my opinion, we are You guys are This is K through eight. You're driving this van where children can see this. Chris Kenyon's a

077good man. Why slander good men? Why don't focus on the basic things that you need to focus on like the children, what's happening to make a joyful experience? How about that? How about joy in the classrooms? I mean, it's it's just we pick and I see all of you just like, well, did this happen? Did that happen? You don't even know. You you make up things. And they're saying I hear a lot of uh parents talking about, well, we still didn't get what we want. You can't keep going after people that are good people. They're just trying to help the children. It's very upsetting to watch. and they say they will never quit. Well, we're not quit standing up for you. So, know that there's people here that have your back and that we are

078not going away either. And um I just want the new superintendent to know that um I hope you en enjoy the work here and um thank you board. Next speaker is Michelle Author. Michelle Alter and I live in the district as well. And I probably won't take three minutes because what I want to say is just I I do thank you for you know standing up as far as board members. I think there's very four very strong board members that we have. I've been coming to these meetings for several years and they've always been so contentious and you know the atmosphere has changed so dramatically here and I think you know thank you that the the things you know Chris that you're still on the board as you should be and I think you know

079if we're really about the kids we stop nitpicking out different things and start focusing on the children. Um, I think by attacking a good person, by attacking a good person, I think, you know, it does send a a wrong message to the children. Like you said, these are these are young kids, very impressionable. And, you know, as board members, you're on the front lines of being able to be that that that protection for the children. So, I thank you, uh, President Todd, Brian Cerrone, Chris Kenyon, and Miss Schmidt. I thank you for you know your what your decorum and how you've been handling yourself on this board and uh Miss McDonald I welcome you know you have got a lot of energy you kind of are subdued tonight but uh the first time I met

080you very energetic and I think it's going to be something such a positive for this district. So I think if people can just lay down their hate and start focusing on children, maybe we can, you know, just take this pl this district just just just elevate this district even more because it has come leaps and bounds since I started coming to this meeting a few years ago. So I hope we can just lay down and stop finding, you know, nobody's perfect. Nobody is perfect, but everyone seems to think that they're perfect and they can go attack, you know, oh, we'll get this one off, then we'll get that one off if we don't get our way. Well, I think, you know, the children have suffered enough with all thank you for getting rid of the

081DEI, the CRT, all that mess that was going on in the schools pretty much for, you know, because unfort minorities can't, you know, get ahead. So, we have to have all these things in place. So, thank you for being stalworth and sticking with it no matter the attacks because these rooms used to echo with some very negative hostilities towards uh the board members. So, I think if if the adults in the room could act more like adults so the children can be children, maybe this we can see this district get elevated even further. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Christy Wast. Sorry, Westy. >> All right, President Todd and governing board, thank you for this opportunity to speak on your behalf. I am taking these few minutes to let the public know the truth. There

082is proof that the Liberty 25 school board has been vindicated of the false allegations of corruption and mismanagement. There is no hidden agenda and anyone who truly cares can see that there is no winner in this situation. The real harm was done to the district and the very ones that they are supposed to protect the children. The district did not overspend their budget last year. The district under state law is required to create its future budget based on proposed growth and enrollment of students. This year the growth is not as high as anticipated and therefore attendance is not increasing. This is causing the district to review everything to meet the budget. Every year the board must do this as there are always more wishes than necessary. As you have heard in other school board meetings

083in the past, there are buckets so to speak that you must pull from to do this and to do that to make it all work. Because there are times when the payments from the government are delayed. Per the Arizona Auditor General report, our teachers are paid an average of 2,600, more than the average teacher salary. In this school year, the board added 1,800 per student to the classroom for a total of 7 million. For your information, previous district administrators failed to work with the state school facilities board and then spent millions on repairs that should have been handled by the state and in many instances that deferred maintenance for 10 and 15 years. The board was required to spend funds from the reserve pool and general budget to make necessary repairs, including additional ADA access.

084We are hopeful that the board will continue to focus on professional accountability and improved student proficiency. And I'll leave with you this. The teachers have the best benefits plan they have ever had. Thank you. I'd like to say really quick before this is done, um there's a saying that's never harm a man of goodwill. Think about that for a minute. Also, I'd like to say there was a young woman earlier that said we needed more psychologists in our schools. We do not need more psychologists or psychiatrists in our school. There is a dangerous precedence that they set. They their plan is to drug our children and that that is a very bad idea for us. I'm not against children that need counseling or help. But if you research into their agenda, it is a dangerous

085one. And with that, I'll end. Thank you. >> The next speaker is Barbara is ready. My name is Barbara Ratty and I live in the district. Thank you, President Todd and governing board. I wish to address the open meeting violations. Board members are elected officials and have every right and obligation to share their opinions with their con constituents. They do not give up their first amendment right. It is the responsibility of a board member to individually research and speak with potential contractors to gain the information and knowledge required to do their job effectively. It is always beneficial for board members to visit and tour other schools that have high proficiency and low absentee rates to possibly better understand how improvement could be made to the district. Nothing in open meeting law restricts a board member

086from discussing district businesses with the constituent. As a constituent, I want to be able to have honest and forthright discussions with our elected officials. There were claims made against board members that they were corrupt and mismanaged district funds. These were outright lies that were recently completely vindicated by the Arizona Attorney General's Office and the County Supervisor's Office. And as Mr. Hansen showed to us tonight at the beginning of this meeting, why do people continue to badmouth others who are here to help the community? You have already heard. I'm I'm sorry, but you will be hearing all the wonderful things that have been accomplished and still people continue to badmouth others as we heard tonight. These false accusation allegations were used to slander board members publicly and were work used in an effort to have them

087recalled. Mr. Kenyon is in my LD. We all respect him and appreciate what he has done and back him all the way. Thank you, Chris. We appreciate you. In addition, I feel it is very important to point out that the attacks on the individual board members were highly political with no regard to the damage to students and staff. Do those that complain think they could do a better job? And if they do, why aren't they elected? Or why are they even are they even trying to run for to make changes? Or do they just want to squabble out there at the people that are her in charge? Um, I guess that's all I have to say for tonight. But I was glad I was here tonight. I was here how and why these people were

088vindicated of charges that were unfairly attacked. they were tapped with. Thank you. >> And then our last speaker tonight is going to be Susan Cheetum. >> President Todd, um members of the governing board, thank you for your dedication to protecting our children. Over the past three years, the board has prior prioritized student safety, academic proficiency, and professional accountability. The following is a list of key accomplishments. Increased teacher pay to the highest levels in the West Valley. Implemented policies to enhance proficiency in reading, writing, and math. Adopted a traditional discipline policy that improved teacher and student safety without increasing suspension rates. Protected girls privacy and personal spaces and ensured fairness in sports. Enacted policies that prevent future changes to the curriculum from including any political ideologies. required counselors and staff to obtain parental permission before discussing

089non-academic matters with students. Introduced the six pillars for character development. Shifting away from the social emotional learning programs. Saw an increase in student enrollment. One of the few districts in the state to do so. Raised the letter grades of all schools to the district to A's and B's for the majority. Scheduled the opening of a new school this year without relying on a bond or override. and they recorded a significant improvement in student profici proficiency last year. Thank you for your hard work and courage and standing firm to achie to achieve these goals. You are so appreciated and those opposing this board these board members who advanced these priorities risk halting the progress that is enhancing our children's educational experience. And as I was thinking today what I was going to say, can I just

090I would just like to pray if everybody could just pray with me. When you bow your heads, please. Father, we come in the mighty name of Jesus. And I pray you come and fill this room with your presence. And every time this board meets, I pray the fear of the Lord will be there. Father God, the children are your heart. For your word says anybody who does wrong to these little ones, it'll be worse than a millstone tied around them and being thrown into the sea. Father, I just pray right now that every lie and hidden agenda against these kids to continue to be exposed and all the plans against the school, against the children, against the district and the board stop now in the mighty name of Jesus. For enough is enough. And Father

091God, may they lead and govern Liberty School District with integrity, righteousness, wisdom, and revelation in all humility led by your spirit. And we ask forgiveness, Lord, for the ways we have failed the children. But right now, I decree a new day for the kids in Liberty School District, a new day for this sport, a new day for this su superintendent. Mr. McDonald, we bless you. We bless the teachers and the staff here in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. >> Amen. >> Mr. President, that concludes the general comment. Go >> to item 8.1, approval of the consent agenda. >> Mr. President >> Simon, >> I'd like to pull 8.6 and 8.11. 811 have been pulled. Any others? Board members. Okay. Hearing no others. Make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of

0928.6 and 8.11. >> I make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of 8.6 and 8.11. >> Have a motion. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. All right. There's no discussion. We'll take the U vote for 8.1 with the exception of 86 and 811. Mishmid >> I. >> Zimmerman >> I. >> Vice President Kenyon >> I. >> Board member Shrenion. >> I'm also I will show that approved five yes. Zero no. I will move to item 8.6. >> Miss Zimmerman. Um I just wanted to ask a clarifying question about the soul source approval. So um I understand that it is uh saying that there's no other way to procure essentially these services that there's only one kind of vendor if you will. Um and so my question is is uh

093in particular to one thing which is dreambox um which is uh the board did eliminate during our uh budget prioritization. So um I'm just curious I guess why it's on the document. >> Thank you Miss Zimmerman. Um, as you said, yes, soul source determinations are made. Um, it's a procurement rule that these particular items can't be purchased from just any vendor. So, they're very specific to these vendors. Um, and the board designates them as a sole source. So, we have a running list um that comes before the board annually. We tend to not remove a vendor from that list um because it's harder to add and remove each year. and then explain to our auditors um why we have these variances than to just if we've used them as a sole source vendor and at

094some point we could use them again, we maintain them on that same list as long as their services haven't changed. >> Okay, that makes sense. Um and I just want to clarify that at this time we're not moving forward with Dreambox. >> Correct. That's just on there as a formality, not that there's anything planned at this moment. >> Okay. Thank you for the clarification. >> You're welcome. Are there any other questions for 8.6? >> Hearing none. I'll take a motion. >> I make a motion to approve 8.6. >> Have a second. >> I second. >> Have a motion and a second on the floor for 8.6 approval. There's no further discussion. We'll take the vote. Board member Schmidt. >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Vice President Kenyon. >> I. >> Board member

095Shinsion. >> I'm also I will show that I approve five yes. zero. No. Next on our agenda will be 8.11 approval of facility use agreement and fee schedule for fiscal year 202526. Staff leison on is Mr. Young. Miss Zimmerman, go ahead with your question. >> Um just a couple of housekeeping things um before we approve it. So on that on page one um where it says the handbook is July 1 um 2025 and then on every other page it says um effective July 15th. I just wonder if the front page should indicate that it wasn't board approved um until July 14th. all the other all the pages at the bottom. >> Uh, Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, uh, members of the board, Miss Zimmerman, yes, we can we can change that date. Absolutely. >> Okay.

096>> Yeah, it was it was actually going to be on a previous one that got pushed off. So, >> so I just want us to be consistent. Um, and then on page 11, um, it just doesn't give a choice for the facility use, um, for the new school. So, uh just for them to be added. >> I'm sorry. What What was on page 11? >> Um it just doesn't list like a little check for the new school, Loretta Zumbro, to be able to rent their facility. I'm on the right page. Yeah, I'm on page 11. We just need to add a school site for Loretta Zumbro. >> Mr. Young, it's on page nine of the document, but 11 on the >> Oh, okay. I apologize. >> Oh, okay. Yep. Gotcha. >> Okay. So, I'm going

097with my page numbers are um I don't know what showing board talks. And then on page 21, again, these are just um housekeeping things really. Um, it for the district facility, it lists the emergency contact as Kevin Gates and he is no longer employed with the district. >> That's going to be page 19 on the >> Thank you for the corrections. And then um I believe that the address for liter Zumbro, I'm not sure which one is correct, honestly, because the one in the handbook is different than this one. Yeah, it's it's a 2600 uh >> 80 183rd. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, they were just housekeeping things. >> Well, we we can get those change if you want to if it's all right to approve it with these changes. We'll we'll get it changed

098and put it out there. Thank you. >> Okay. Are there any other questions? >> I'll take a motion. Uh, I make a motion to approve 8.11 with the changes that were noted. Okay. Do I have a second? >> I second. >> We have a motion, a second on the floor to approve 8.11 with the changes noted. >> There's no further discussion. We'll take the vote. Board member Schmidt. >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Vice President Kenyon. >> I. >> Board member Shinion. >> I'm also I will show that approve. Five. Yes. Zero. No. >> Thank you. Next will be item 9.1 approval fiscal year 202526 annual school district expenditure budget. Miss Moer and Miss Williams. >> Good evening again. Um as we discussed earlier during the public hearing um we have our

099budget up for adoption. So I stand ready to answer any questions that you all have. Members, >> any questions? All right. Hearing none, we can take a motion. >> Mr. President, I make a motion to approve and adopt the fiscal year 2526 annual school district expenditure budget. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Motion, a second on the floor to approve item 9.1, which is the fiscal year 202526 annual school district expenditure budget. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we'll take the vote. Board member Schmidt. >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Vice President Kenyan. >> I. >> Board member Shinion. >> I'm also an I. We'll show that. Approve. Five. Yes. Zero. No. Next is 9.2 student handbook. This will be presented to staff. Uh Dr. Stephanie Mahorn. Sorry, I didn't realize

100it was off. Uh good evening again. Uh we have Miss Amy Castanos here. uh we contracted out and she was the one that actually took on this huge feat to update um the ele Liberty Elementary uh parent student handbook. So if you do have any questions, it's my understanding that uh some of you had reached out with suggestions and questions and things. But if you um have any right now she is here and available if you have additional questions or if there are questions that I can answer as well from the district perspective. Castion, did you capture the changes from when this was posted on there? >> Yeah. So once the we had the changes that were posted online and then I gathered all of your feedback from those changes that was presented to you

101probably just before this meeting. >> Right. Okay. >> So we can go over just a few of those comments if you would like because there were a couple of things that were requested to be discussed. Um, so we could go over a few of those comments and make it relatively quick. Um, but for all of the changes, if it was just a grammatical uh thing or if I didn't change the intent of the reading at all, um, I didn't note it to discuss tonight. So, what I've noted to discuss is all in the comment section of the current copy that you have now. Um, and the copy that it will be showing. >> Okay. So, um, I apologize, Mr. President. Yes, ma'am. >> I don't believe that we have the comment on our printout. So,

102we only have the red line. >> Okay. >> Um I'm not sure. So, I can take you to each comment if that works. >> I'm not sure if if it's attached. We could just pull it up on our computers. >> So, I'm not sure if it's it's not attached to the current board, but um >> IT department does have it on and you are pulling up comments there, correct? Yeah. Okay. So, you you'll see it on the screen. Okay. If that'll work. >> Okay. So, the first comment is on page four. This is a letter from President Todd out to the governing board. U Miss Zimmerman had requested that we discuss whether this letter came directly from President Todd or if it was general governing board. So, Miss Zimmerman. >> Mr. President. >> Yes. Um

103you know my concern is that um we are to act as a board um as you know as a collective group and a letter individually from the board president I don't feel is appropriate. >> Okay board members Mr. President. >> Yes. >> I mean I don't see any harm here. Um you are our elected board president. this I I don't disagree with any of the things you put in this letter. So, I don't see why it's an issue. I I I agree with everything that's stated here and so I'm okay with this staying. It just there's nothing here I disagree with. >> Mr. President, >> um I I agree with Mr. Kenyon. don't disagree with any of the words that are written here, but when I read through it initially, I sort of also was

104sort of like, oh, maybe it should come from all of us as a board. I don't have an issue with anything that's written. I just feel like it would present better to the district and the families if it came from the whole board that we are all saying this um to the families instead of just an individual member. Uh that was my thought on it. Mr. President, >> yes. >> I I agree with what Commission Mint said. Okay. >> It it doesn't hurt to say it's from the board. >> We can change on behalf of the board. We can add that to it. >> Okay. Okay. All right. Moving on to page 11. Um, this was just an update of all of the contacts. The only reason why I'm here discussing it with you this

105evening is because we went ahead and changed from the assistant principal to add assistant principal and instructional coaches for those that are splitting their time. So, I just wanted to make sure that that was approved by all board members or that that was the will of the board. >> Mr. president. >> Yes, >> it's just a grammatical thing, but um I thought I had included Kathy is I believe spelled incorrect. >> Yes, >> I apologize. And I you did include that in your edit though. My mistake a second go round. So, I apologize. >> All right, we'll dock your consultant pay. Carry on. >> Okay, so there's a scent for every letter. We're off. Um, on page 15 under cafeteria services, President Todd is asking if um, and I'll leave this up to Superintendent if

106we can change that three and the notifications instead of it going out at three meals, if we could have that notification go out at five meals when the student account balance gets to five meals and then a second notification going out at three meals. Okay, that change will be made. Um and then underneath um on page 16, you'll see that there is a note for from uh board member Zimmerman and President Todd both asking that we encourage uh the school lunch program, the free and reduced lunch program. So I offered a paragraph there. Um this is on page 16. Okay, maybe page 15 at the top. I apologize. There you go. Page 15 at the top. So this last sentence here This last families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced programs. Um so

107that paragraph was in addition to okay on page 17 under closed campus. Um Miss pre Miss Zimmerman noted that uh the last sentence is actually previously stated. The reason why it is under this close campus section here is be to remind parents um to update their contact information because only people who are going to be um on that list can pick up students. So that is why the redundancy. Okay. Um on page 18 under custody and parent rights, we changed the restraining order to order of protection to match what the actual legal definitions are. On page 19 under dress code, we added a section that says um that it is not allowed for students to wear anything that promotes, depicts, or suggests violence, the use of firearms or weapons or other items that could be

108interpreted a or interpreted as a threat to the safety and well-being of the school. Um, and then later on that page, you'll see under right under the dress code of all school sites, President Todd asked we add in an exception for spirit days. Okay. On page um 20, we removed under extracurricular activities, we removed the mandate for tutoring and that is because it was removed from the policy. So it is in direct alignment with the policy. Now on page 21 under concussion training, we added in more robust wording about our concussion and head injury trainings. Okay. on page 22. Um, and this is for you, Superintendent McDonald. We, um, we're asking if we're only testing once a year for the gifted program. Um, is that accurate? So, >> I understand. >> Okay. And then the

109second piece was, is the cognitive abilities test? Oh, go ahead. >> Sorry. I just before we move on, can we Yes. I apologize, but >> I apologize for going so quick that I was told we needed to get out of here pretty quick. I'm getting the look. I'm getting that look. >> I I just want to be accurate. Um so when it lists sports, um and I believe that this was my part of my edit, but that um like we have girls and boys volleyball um and it it just lists girls and then we also have um cross country and softball. I will go back and re review your edits to ensure that those are captured in here. Thank you. I apologize. Thank you for bringing that to our attention before we got too far

110ahead. Okay. Um so again, page 22, the cognitive uh abilities test. Is there another way that the gifted students are um made eligible within the district or is it only the cognitive? It's just the cognitive test. Okay. And so there is not a portfolio that can be used. Okay, that's helpful. Thank you. Look at you knowing all of the answers right away. I'm glad you can throw your voice. Well, okay. So, on page 25, um, board members Zimmerman, I'd like to give you the opportunity to speak about this hazing policy. I don't think it's 25. I'm just fine. >> Yeah. Page 25. >> Oh, okay. There it is. I see it. Okay. Sorry. >> Sorry to put you on the spot this way. It's okay. I was just trying to find my place. Um uh

111Miss Casianos reminded me this morning that we um had this convers Well, I remember that we had this conversation in policy, but I didn't kind of remember how it ended. And so my concern is that this policy shall not be construed to apply to customary athletic events, contests, or competitions. I don't need to read the whole thing. Everybody can read it. But my concern is that none of the things that are listed, I don't believe should be customary to athletic events. So, um, it's just, uh, you know, I'm just voicing my concern once again as I did during policy. >> Thank you. Okay, on page 34, and I'll give everybody a moment to get there, this is under this section um for student interrogation, searches, and arrest. And this is specifically to talking about interviewing

112students. President Todd asked that we um get a written authorization in order to interview or from a parent in order to interview a student without them being present. So, previously it was either verbal or written and we're just >> Can we just have a second for me to read this before we move on, please? Thank you. It says refund. >> I'm just trying to understand I guess is this anytime a principal wants to interview a student or a specific time? >> No. So this is directly speaking about when an officer comes into and asks to interview a student. So when a police officer comes in to interview students or maybe it be child abuse, you know, something of that nature. So when those types of interviews are requested, if the officer has let us know

113that we can contact the parents because there are some cases where we are not allowed to when they notify us that we can, we can call the parent and ask them ask for their permission. So currently right now we could take a verbal yes. However, there's no documentation behind that if we were to take that verbal yes and later on that the parent regretted what the decision. So in order to cover the district legally, we want to make sure that we have some level of a written authorization. So it's only in place of those outside people interviewing is what we're talking about. >> And also it's outside if there or it's if there's no abuse or abandonment alleged. >> Correct. >> So >> no abuse or abandonment alleged by the parent. >> Right. So if

114it's alleged outside, it's different. And just for uh clarification, I believe when we talk during policy though that you know a police officer can interview a student even without parental consent under very specific circumstances. That's absolutely correct. So if it's outside of those circumstances, they do need to have parental consent. And how we get it and justify that as a district is really important. >> Okay. Agreed. >> Okay. So on to page 36 and this is under the section of student rights and responsibilities the preamble. Um board member Zimmerman had mentioned that this whole paragraph has kind of contradicted the remainder of the policies that we have specifically stating that um we are constantly referring to the discipline matrix but this does not bind us to the district discipline matrix. So, this allows for additional

115um if there's something else that happens, it allows the district additional leeway to provide discipline. So, I'll let board member Zimberman get to the page first and then remember why she wrote what she wrote. So, if you just bear with us quick second. Okay. So on page 35 under student I'm I'm referencing why I am concerned about the language on 36. Okay. So under student rights and responsibilities preamble says this handbook along with the discipline matrix outlines a consistent approach to student conduct and consequences across all campuses. So my concern is that if we and I go I know the argument will be well there are are differing circumstances and we don't want to lock ourselves in but if we're saying that we want to be consistent across all campuses I think we have to

116follow the discipline matrix okay so thank you Um, moving on to page >> questions on that one. >> No, I'm I'm okay with how it's written right now. But >> yeah, I think I mean, as I look at that, I understand the intent, but I do think there's times and that's still consistent. This is this is in addition to the matrix. So, the matrix is going to be consistent, but there are mimmerance point. I think there are some times where principles have to do something else. So, I'm I'm okay with the way it's currently written. Doesn't mean they're going to do less. It means there might be more coming. So, I'm >> I think it when we read this um it says if it has to do with one or more violations. So, the discipline

117matrix, it kind of gets complicated if you're dealing with two or three violations. So, I think that's part of the reason why this wording might be in here. Um and it may be something uh Mr. Dangerfield would need to speak on a little more, but that would be putting him on the spot, too. >> I would say this is really up to the governing board on this um particular issue. Um and but I would I would lean towards giving discretion to administrators, some discretion. >> So, you're okay with the language is the way it is? I gives them the discretion. Okay. Thank you. On page 41. There's two sections that we'll speak about here. Um and this is specifically under the technology use. So the first section um on page 41 in the second paragraph,

118it mentions that all technology devices distributed during distance learning and online learning remain the property of Liberty. Um, there was a request to remove this language. I did not remove the language because we have no idea if that might happen again for any number of reasons. So, having it in here may provide us with um with the necessary structures um and safeguards in case something else happens. Um, and then the next section that you'll see highlighted, it's around the cost. And so President Todd mentioned that costs are rising quite a bit and because of that to have um these set fees may not be fair to the district. So he asked to provide an actual cost like a reimbursement. So if there is damage technology to provide or that that be charged at an actual

119cost instead of these fees that are here. So these fees are offered as a list of what might some of the fees look like but not binding us to these fees. So we want to make sure that that feels appropriate. Okay. All right. And we have two left. Um one is on page 47. It's number 10 of the transportation rules while riding the bus. And it's just asking to add water to allow the students to drink water on the bus. I know, but it was a change to the policy. They changed the intent. Um, and on page 48, President Todd had mentioned um some of the prohibited items for transportation are the larger instruments like percussion instruments, um, tubas, saxophones, etc. So he has asked here if maybe we should remove that. So what we

120would be removing is um there's a under the prohibited items it states also if your child is in band the following instruments are not allowed on the bus during travel to and from school a tuba a baritone saxophone a baritone and certain percussion kits depending on the size. >> Mr. President for May. >> You may. >> Did this come from when we had the buses are fully packed and they're taking up space? Do do we have an issue now with any of the buses being like fully packed with students and there's no space for these instruments? Is that where this came from? >> Mr. president, vice president, members of the board. I think it's it's more of a a hazard having them on there because there's no way to strap them into the buses and

121if the instrument fell over something, it could hurt somebody or impede the driver if it fell off towards the front. And so I think that's just more of a state standard of of the code if I'm correct. But uh I think it comes with a minimum standards for bus drivers and you know that comes from the state. But we can definitely look into it and check on that. >> Yeah. My only thought was it was we offer this program and then we say, "But if you're going to take advantage of this program, it's kind of like the state saying you should have tires on your vehicle, but you can't put tires on the road." These these kids are part of a school program and I'm concerned that we're offering that to them. Some of these

122children don't have any other way to get to school. So understand if the buses are full, there's something going on there. But I just struggle that we allow them to be part of a program and then we restrict certain issues. And if it can fall on the bus, it can also fall in the classroom. And we I realize the it's moving those sorts of things. But I think we need to just look at that. >> I I can check on the state minimum standards, see what's in there, and get back to Amy. >> And maybe it is maybe the state says no. But that would get us off the hook. I agree with you that it's not fair to these students. I'm just trying to figure out why it was there to begin with. >>

123Okay. Well, that will conclude the student handbook. So, I want to say thank you so much and I truly appreciate your time. I can have the edits made and back to you um as early as tomorrow afternoon by closing. >> I do have a couple other questions. >> Okay. on page two, mission of Liberty Elementary School District overruns the logo and what's printed here. >> Um, and also we've got a mismatch of logos. You got a different logo on the front page than you do on the second page. >> I will work with Miss Simro today. >> I think I don't know which one. I think that's the one we've always used. That's what's on our business cards. That's what that's what's on >> Yeah. I don't know what this other one is. I will

124change the front page. >> Mr. President. >> Yes. >> Since we're talking about this logo, is it appropriate for us to discuss the logo at this time? I >> I don't think so because our agenda item is this handbook. >> Yeah. Discussion of the logo is fine. You're you're approving the handbook. >> Reprove? Yeah. But I think Are you want to talk about generally changing a logo or doing something? What do you want to >> Yeah. I mean, what is it you're pointing out? I I guess I guess since we're stuck to the agenda item of the handbook. Yeah. Miss Castian, if you can figure out which which is the appropriate one for the handbook and then >> Yeah, I don't think we're having a general discussion about the logo itself as long as we're

125just what is the >> I was going to but you stopped me. So, thank you. >> You you need to make that an agenda item if you want the logo to change somehow. >> Okay. So, which logo are we >> want to >> referring the formal one? Okay. So, I want to make sure that I've got that. >> Okay. >> All right. Take a motion in a second. >> Mr. Mr. President, >> Miss Schmidt, >> I make a motion to approve the student parent handbook for the 2526 school year with the uh corrections made. Uh >> second motion, a second to approve parent handbook for 202526 school year with the noted suggestions. You have all those suggestions down properly. Okay, there's no further discussion. We'll take a vote. Board member Schmidt >> I. Board members

126Zimmerman. >> I. >> Vice President Kenyon. >> I. >> Board member Shinion. >> I'm also I was sure that proof. Five. Yes. Zero. No. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next up, 9.3 Liberty Elementary School District signature program report. Dr. Mahorn. Thank you, Miss Castanos. President Todd, Vice President Kenyan, members of the board. Um tonight you will receive a uh presentation, a short presentation from each of our schools um highlighting they have been asked to to highlight their signature program um ensuring that they include uh the budget for their signature program uh what their signature program is, the highlights and their sustainability and their plans for the upcoming year. Um we can go I would just suggest going in alphabetical order. Um all of them are attached for each of the board members and the

127public to see um each of the presentations. We don't have to go in alphabetical order but we very well >> I was just going to suggest we we go in alphabetical order a lot and for Westar's always last. I think we'll flip and start at the bottom and work our way up. >> Yep. We could do either way. >> All right. All right. So, it would be Miss Hamburg from Westar. >> All right. Good evening. Hi. I don't think I've ever done a presentation at at 9:00 before, so this is a first. I'm excited about that. All right. Well, good evening, President Todd, uh, governing board members, um, our new superintendent, um, Superintendent McDonald. Nice to see everybody this evening. All right. Well, I have the privilege of talking about Westar and our steam program,

128um, that's going on. So, the pictures that you're going to see throughout the presentation um, are ones that capture things that we have done throughout the course of the school year. And I have a clicker, so I will use that. All right, here we go. Um, overview and purpose. Our goal, our vision is to build an authentic student centered interdisciplinary steam program. Um, again looking at deep instructional quality, expanding partnerships, embedding STEM into K5 learning. We know that it's very visible and seen in sixth through 8th grade due to our science programs, but really looking at that into K5. Some successes for year one that we have right here. Um, we developed a steam committee this year, which was exciting to have people um, be part of that. We had some steam buddy days. We

129had two this year. What that is is our younger grades and our upper grades were partnered together and gave them opportunities to do a steam activity together. So that was exciting to see our compass campus come together that way. We had a Thanksgiving Day parade where they did floats. Um and then we used little robots that they literally like did the Macy's Day Thanksgiving parade. It was really fun and cute to see. Steam camp. Um and then we had our steam night as well. So looking into year two of implementation of steam under my leadership some things that we're looking at is our signature programs curriculum integration community partnerships funding sustainability data and outcomes. So I'm going to go through those things uh with you guys right now. Um steam buddy days. We had two

130last year. We're going to do three total this year. So each trimester will have a steam buddy day. Um we dedicate about two hours. Last year that was a little much. So about an hour and a half in the morning where they partner together. um they have an identified activity that they do do together um and then they have an opportunity to present um before they head back to the classrooms. We do have our coding program that we're using for our computer science class. We're also going to be embedding some maker space activities for project-based learning into that. Uh we're going to be doing some work hopefully with uh urban farming talking about sustainability. We have our steam Thanksgiving Day parade that we're going to continue to do. uh steam career day and then afterchool

131programs we're hoping to include this year such as robotics partnering with Estrella foothills. Mesa engineering is something that I'm hoping to bring on that I have experience to doing at my prior campus for grades six through 8. Go to code is another one. Um and then maker space and then 3D printing as well. I learned at the end of last year we have a 3D printer at Western so I'm hoping that we can uh embed that and use that. Um hopefully it's fully functional. We're working on figuring that out. And then steam camp. Again, we do have a date for that. That will be the last day in May. And then, of course, uh looking at doing some more maker space activities. Something that we've been really intentional of doing is our steam based field

132trips. So, here's a list of ones that um are highlights that we did this last year. Um the presentation started with the one that um Miss Cwley took our mag kids to go do at Knottberry Farm, which was really fun and exciting for them to be able to do. These are just some intentional opportunities for project or for field trips that we're doing um that definitely tie right back into our steam education emphasis at Westar. Uh curriculum and integration is something that we're definitely looking at as well to continue to raise the bar for our performance especially on a sai development um thematic units aligned with our the national standards a standards. So really creating thematic units. So science doesn't need to just live in science. We can also embed it in what we're doing

133instructionally with u math and ELA as well. Um looking at and you know this is not obviously a me decision but you know since I'm out up here presenting anyway really looking at um a quality hands-on science-based learning curriculum that we can use for our kindergarten through fifth grade students. I think what we have for 68 is absolutely amazing. um but looking at something that's sustainable for K5 as well so that that's a resource our teachers can use and then steam of professional development and vertical articulation amongst all grade levels is something that we are focusing on and doing to make sure that those conversations are taking place as SAI is interesting because it tests uh the standards for third through fifth grade with our fifth graders and then 6th 8th they're in eighth grade

134they're getting tested on those three standards so we want to make sure we're giving them a really solid foundation so they're not having to cram lots of learning into fifth grade and into eighth grade as well. Um, urban farming is a group that I have experience with working on at my former campus. It's a group that I am hoping um that you will allow me to partner with this year. Dr. Joe Roselle is my contact that I've worked with previously. We've had some conversations. We have uh three plant beds in our field area um that are just sitting there. we have have quite a bit of space in that back area that we're really hoping to do something with. Um it would be looking at sustainability within there as well. So creating and doing this

135garden. Um but it also integrates a lot of steam based opportunities because we're looking at um you know the data and statistics behind doing all of that. um we're we're looking at um the research based of how we're going to continue to help um the plants grow and then hopefully moving towards actually, you know, growing produce that we could do something with with our students. So, that's something that we're looking at. Community partnerships is something that I'm really big on. It's something that I used um previously as I was growing um my steam uh community at Rogers Ranch before coming over here. And so I have some incredible connections that I'm hoping to continue to build and grow with. Many of whom I've already reached out to and used last year as well. But um

136Esteem Cafe through school connect is one that I've done before. And really the whole goal and intent and and purpose behind it is taking intentional opportunities. We have some incredible business communities around us. And so making sure that we're bringing those communities in, those businesses in, letting them know what we're doing, what we're working them with them on, um, so that they can partner with us, um, in order to be able to continue to grow our our steam program at Westar. So, uh, GCU does a steam um or a STEM specifically group that they partner with. So we'll be able to have opportunities myself and then my steam committee will have opportunities to go meet with them talk about what they're doing at the college level how we can continue continue to impact and grow

137at a sitebased level as well. So our steam career day is something that we're going to continue as well. A lot of the pictures that you see on that slide are from that day. We had over 30 community volunteers that came that day to be part of our steam career day and it was an incredible experience, an incredible opportunity. Um, and I'm really hoping that we can continue just to grow and develop that over the course of the next couple years to come. All right, data accountability and outcomes, how we're tracking our growth and what we're doing. Um, we're looking at our student steam participation. We're looking at our science benchmark uh growth on easy sigh for both our fifth graders and our eighth graders. Uh we do a self- assessment survey with our staff

138as well just to get their buy in and input of how they that they feel that we're doing how we continue to continue to grow and then we do reach out to gather that community feedback as well. Uh what are some things that they would like to see continue to grow as we build our steam program at Westar. You can see right here a current uh list of funding. So TechSmart is something that um the sites are having to cover this year that we've not had to previously cover in the past because it was a grant-f funded program unfortunately. Um I as a district we don't have that grant anymore. So that is a cost that is being acrewed to the campuses this year. So um I'm thankful our PTO is going to be supporting

139with that and then part of that will need to come out of my school budget as well. Um but that's going to computer science. Last year, uh, our allocated budget, um, we had about $2,400 in stipens that went to our team leads. We had two of them specifically that did an absolutely outstanding job leading our STEM programs this last year. Our budget in general, or our budget last year was $4,620. Um, 1,200 of that did come from tax credit money. That's actually down from the year prior where there was about $15,000 that were spent. So, as you're continuing to build, there is cost in building a steam program, but with the community partnerships, um, groups like Urban Farming, School Connect, our goal is to limit the cost of what we're having to purchase for and

140have business partnerships come in and partner with us in order to continue to grow. So, there are uh, four specific grants that we're looking at um, doing as well. You can see them listed as you can see them listed there um, again to offset the cost to help us grow our program. Uh here's some statistics. I won't read them all off to you, but you know, why steam? And you know, it's careers of the future. As you can see listed here, 85% of the jobs haven't even been invented yet. Um over um $97,000 for a medium salary for steam careers, whereas, you know, the medium salary for others is much lower. So this is uh putting um this is putting money into the future of of our students and providing them with the opportunities to

141continue to grow and learn. So why it matters uh cultural shifts. It's not just events either. We really want this to be embedded within our culture at Westar grounded in intentional opportunities. Um hoping that our school can become a model school for other Arizona schools and then again the careers of the future. So with that any questions? Hopefully I kept that under. Mr. President, >> Vice President Kenyon. >> Yeah, I um thank you so much for this, Miss Hamburg. It's it's the steam program has always been really exciting um over there at Westar and I've seen a lot of uptick in the community involvement and engagement different like you were saying different companies and and get involved and it's just wonderful program to see and thank you so much for the presentation. I don't so

142much have any questions as much as um as much as a thank you for for your involvement in that and keeping it, you know, push you're pushing hard. Everybody can see you got a lot of energy and you're enthusiastic about the program and that's good. >> Yes, I am definitely very enthusiastic. So, yes, thank you about the program and I guess things in general, but yes, maybe I'm going off of coffee, too. >> She's probably got a bar class in 20 minutes to >> I wish. No. Um, >> any other questions? Not a question. I just would like to echo um Mr. Kenyon. I, you know, as a scientist myself, it's super exciting to see this. I love seeing kids getting excited about science. Um especially girls cuz they fall out of it uh so

143quickly. Like they like it when they're little and then grow up to think that it's not for them. So I love that girls in coding. I'm like, "Yes, this is I I think it's fantastic." Um I did have one question because steam means art too. So how is art integrated into what you're doing? Like it's easy to do the the science, tech, engineering, and math, right? But integrating the art piece and making it really steam. Um how are you guys trying to do that? >> Yeah. Well, thankfully we have an incredible art teacher, Miss Day is one of the best I've ever worked with. So she definitely has built an incredible program um for art at Westar. this the A in steam is something new and different for me because I'm used to just stealing

144with the STEM part of it. Um so that's definitely something that will continue to build and grow. We did have um some art teachers that were part of our steam career days too, but yes, definitely making that intentional to stand out as well. >> Wonderful. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any further questions? Okay, I have just a couple. Um first of all, thank you. I you you've said a couple times as we build a steam program and I'm I'm appreciative that you're doing that and I wonder what happened over the last many years of that campus because you're building a program now at a campus that we called a steam school for years. So thank you for that. It's concerning that that wasn't really happening in the past and I think you recognize how

145little there was going on. So, um I am one thing I really want to drill down on with every campus is I I'm looking at your funding. Um I always get concerned when we're funding programs with grant dollars because anytime we're using grant dollars for operational issues, there's a potential funding cliff. The grant goes away. Maybe you have an off year and your pencil breaks and we don't write as good a grant as somebody else. There can be all sorts of reasons that something happens that that grant dries up and then we're left with a cliff. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Under previous leadership in this district and a different board, we took a lot of Esser money grants and then we had funding cliffs with a lot of positions. It puts the district in a

146very hard spot. We recognize those. So, um, what I would ask is that you look at a true budget and let us know what's it really cost to run this program. Grants are I I see grants as kind of the frosting on the cupcake. That's that's above and beyond. That's more the wish list versus the need list. So, we want grants. Grants are great. And I love that you have grants on here. U but at the end of the day, with no grants, this program probably is hard to sustain and and continue to grow. But as a board, if we don't have this, and that's some of the discussion we've had about looking at cost per campus. Um we want to be funding campuses equally. Um it's it's really hard when you have one program

147getting a lot of money and then we look to you and here you're getting uh rough numbers about5 $6,000. Um I I think we need to be fair on that and it's great again you're looking at $1,200 for tax credits but as the economy changes may not get that $1,200 next year. So for us to paint a picture of the district and to to properly fund our district to know how much to go after an override uh and and tell that story, we really need to know that. So um first exercise, I I greatly applaud what you do, but if you could just look at that and say this is really what it's going to cost if we spend this much money, we're going to get here. Um and you know, we can decide that

148journey how far we're going, but that would really help I believe this whole board in the future. And and I I think Mr. McDonald will be kind of digging into that as well. We've we've had a couple discussions about that, but that's kind of again that per campus budget and uh um and know where where it really is because at any time you could just lose out on on something. We want to include stipens in there, but um there's $3,500 just came to your campus this year. It was grant funded before, so that's a $3,500 hit that the campus has hit because we were grant funding it. Stipens $2,400. um to total budget spent was 4,620 down from 15,000 but what do we lose in that aspect and and that's a significant that's a significant

149hit that uh that happens. >> It is I I think one thing with this first year coming in was just seeing what do we have and what do we need moving forward. I mean I can give you you my my wish list of of in the past what it's cost me to to build a steam program. Um, but I think something that I want to be really intentional at at doing is building community partnerships, going out with a specific goal of some things that we want to bring in next year. So when I reach out to those community partners, I can tell them that, you know, okay, this is what we're really building at Westar this year. This is what you can support me with, help me grow. Um, robotics is definitely one of the

150big things first, especially for those afterchool programs. um you know whether we partner with the high school or whether we look at Lego robotics which is really kind of my wish list moving forward it's not cheap but if I can go to those community partners and say you know these are some things that we're really hoping for can you partner with me um to bring in then you know my goal is to build a sustainable program where I have people wanting to come with work with me to build a program you're totally right with the grants they are they definitely are hit and miss that's why you know just being intentional with what we're writing the grants for so it's not something that you know I'm going to need in 5 years. It's more of

151an immediate need-based as opposed to something looking forward. But yes, definitely way more than probably my 15 minutes allows, but I can definitely give you more in-depth too of what we're we're hoping to do at Westar beyond just what we've listed here this evening. >> Yeah. And just again that funding piece is critical for us to look to the future and >> and really know because honestly I won't put anybody on the spot, but I have no idea what a steam program to do it right costs. I know we've done it wrong for years down there. Um, now you know, you talk about getting robots. When I was in sixth grade, I got a lot of gray hair. That was a long time ago. We had robots in our classroom, big like big robots, you

152know, 4 foot, 5 foot tall, um, or a STEM school, but we don't have that. That's just common place these days in my opinion. So, we want to get to that level. >> We got to know how much money that takes and then we are definitely going to have to rely on community partners. I love that you say that because it's it's there, but we can't >> we can't look to them to fund all of this. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Next up will be Rainbow Valley. This is one of our new principles. I'm going to mess up your name because they told me wrong four times. It's in my head. So, I'm going to let you introduce yourself, please. >> That's and it's a new last name for me. So, I'm

153I'm alsoing how to say it. Um, good evening, uh, President Todd, board members, and Superintendent McDonald. I am Julie Lisa, um, the new president at Rainbow. So, good evening. I also have never done a presentation this late. Um, so here we go. Uh the leader uh the signature program at Rainbow Valley is Leader and Me, which I did a lot of research on and collaborating with my team and then our consultant last week to prepare for for this tonight. Um so Leader and Me is a character development program that is approved by AD. Um one of the few that's approved by AD to develop leaders to be productive in community leadership skills with the seven habits. So um think remember the highly effective people habits the seven um there's a kid version if you're not

154familiar with it and there is a lot of goal setting that happens with it so it's not just how to be a good human it's how can we set goals to reach our successes in the classroom and so I have some ideas on how we can do that um this year uh working with my team um and that every student has worth potential to develop academic skills skills and with the culture, academics and leadership combined to working together. There is overall uh the goal of school improvement. With those three uh my plan for the implementation for this fiscal year um is to start with summer professional development. Uh the previous principal had already had it on the books. I talked with a consultant last week and July 31st we're going to break it into two

155sections. Um, as you are aware, there are multiple openings at Rainbow. So, um, I'm doing a newbies track. So, those that are brand new, including myself, uh, will go through the leader and me training, um, that Thursday. And then the returning track, which I will also sit on on that, um, they're going to get with a consultant to see where things ended last year. Um, there's a an action teams that meet. There's three different teams. and we I want to know and so as the consultant where did we end who's still here from those teams and and what can we do what can we continue that was going well and then what do we need to tweak for this year to make it more successful um part of and I'll get to the financials in

156the next section but part of our financial commitment with leader and me they provide two coaching days and they are custom to what the school needs so if I need her to do in the- moment coaching with with certain staff members that are struggling. Um if I need my some coaching myself, whatever the school needs at that moment, um the coach will also uh be available for that. There are school lighthouse teams which I'm still learning about, but there's three different teams and they meet together um separately and then together to enhance the school um this year. Um, and again, I wasn't there last year, so I'm not sure what happened. Um, but this school year, I want my leadership team and I to also go around and just just look for the implementation of

157the signature model that we claim to have and just making sure that it's being done with fidelity by all staff members and not just um certain people. I also am supported by the program. I am allowed uh three 1-hour calls with the consultant. So whenever I'm like, "Hey, this happened." Or, "Hey, I kind of want to try this." I can give her a call. She said anytime, so I'm going to hold her to that. Um she's just down the road in Wikcinberg, too, so she can stop by if I need um to support me as I implement this signature program. And then sustaining and funding, um the previous principal, she did sign a three-year contract um with the signature program. So this school year all the way to 2728. The program cost is $12,100 each

158year and that includes the two in-person trainings, the membership um which allows the teachers to have access to the materials and then the the three 1-hour support from myself and um according to my research it is in M and it's on the budget line for our signature program. And um that is all I have for you. Any questions? >> Members, any questions? >> Just a comment. I just want to thank you. I know you're coming into this, so you probably haven't got to spend much time actually researching this, so it's kind of sure it's all new to you, too. Um, but it sounds like you're starting to get a grasp on it, and you're ready to take it over and take it to the next level. So, I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Thank you.

159>> Welcome. >> Thank you. Um, I have a couple questions and and our finance guys folks maybe will help us with this. The 12,100 is that all inclusive or is there additional costs for literature, books, anything of that nature. >> I would have to look at the agreement. I don't know that off the top of my head. >> All right. And then um the other thing is Mr. McDonald, I think we need to look at this. I'm not sure that the person that signed that contract is actually a signer on behalf of the district. So probably going to need to look into that. And last but not least, um I would ask staff just to look um there has been some discussion that the leader and me program does not fall under the executive order

160um on DEI. So I think we need to look at that as well. We don't want to have any federal funding get cut because of a program that we have that we think might be okay. But there's been some pretty significant discussion about that that program having uh being in conflict. And uh I think the county superintendent's office probably has some information on it as well. Um it's it's been I know they've had some calls on it. So maybe you can reach out with them. Otherwise, thank you for what you've done. I know you've inherited uh a lot down there at that campus and really appreciate it. I I apologize that the last team there left the front office and the disarray that it is. And there's there's no better way to say that. It's

161embarrassing that they left that facility the way they did. Um, we're going to do a better job next time making sure that you're not dumped on, which literally happened. And I I I just can't apologize enough for that. But it's it's unexcusable what they did. So, and maybe they're watching and maybe they'll learn from that not do it at their next school district. So, um, I I appreciate everything. I I definitely would like to know again financing uh if that's all inclusive and where we're at. So, if you could just back to Mr. McDonald, he can put it in a board report or something of that nature. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Next up will be Loretta Zumble. Miss Bruce Naminsky. Finally learned that last name so I can learn yours eventually.

162Yeah. >> Members of the governing board, Superintendent McDonald, I'm still working on saying that. And audience members, thank you for joining uh tonight. We do not have a program set yet. So, I'm going to show you the thinking and the thoughts that are going into the creation of a program. Give you the timeline as to what we're expecting and some of the rationale as to why we're thinking about certain programs. From my perspective, and this is done research, and this is done simply from common sense and best practices in designing a signature program, these are the four hallmarks that I want to make sure that it has. Number one, that it is appropriate for all learners regardless of ability, regardless of background, regardless of special challenges physically or emotionally that the students may face. I

163want to make sure that our program is accessible, fruitful, and beneficial to all learners that are there. I feel it's very important and I'll show you a slide in a second that our program be science and inquiry based. Um as we get into a world that there is more unknown than known and we discover new things every day. It's an important uh research factor um to teach it's an important research thing to teach our students how to research properly, how to test out theories, use that scientific method and then take it out and test it out. want it to be relevant to future careers, something that is going to um benefit our students 6, 10, 15, and 20 years down the road and also make sure that a program is rooted in citizenship and character

164and that it's teaching those important aspects as well. This is a very small graph that I was able to find showing you some of the rationale as to why we're leaning in a certain way. Um, these are computer degree, excuse me, college degrees that have been um, shrinking as well as increasing within the last 10 years. Um, the degree I got back in 1999 is history. As you can see, that is the fastest declining of college degrees, but I'm more focused on what is growing the quickest. And we have computer and information sciences, health professions, and related, and engineering as the top three college degrees that are increasing. We need to take this type of data and make it relevant so that our signature program is training our students for these future degrees that are

165increasing because the competition will be there. So, some very initial program ideas. Um, we're looking at possibly doing something with aerospace. We have the benefit of having Luke Air Force Base literally 15 minutes from our campus. We have already met with Luke Air Force Base. We've begun to form some partnerships with them to see is there something that they could provide for us programwise or training wise or just having speakers come out even in that first year to talk to kids about the importance of aerospace why it's a growing industry what it can do not just for the local area but international um get kids thinking globally and I think aerospace would be a key we have untapped space we have ships that maybe 15 to 20 years from now will be visiting ing other

166planets. I want our students that are going to Zumbro to be the engineers, the astronauts, the pilots, whatever you will, designing those ships. Aerospace and engineering go hand in hand in some aspects. So, I'm doing some research on how we can bring those two together. And I've also had the idea of incorporating AI. um not saying that our signature program would simply be an AI based program, but I think it's important for our students as a component of the program. We choose to have some AI integration. Um our teachers are stepping up and understanding and using it. Our administrators are using it. We now need to filter that down to our students and their families. It can be a very beneficial tool if taught and used properly. a tie-in maybe not necessarily to our signature

167program but something that we have already begun to do at Loretta Zumbro and I wanted to bring to your attention is is we are seeking an Arizona Purple Star School designation. If you are not familiar with a purple scar purple purple star school designation easy for me to say it is a program that is funded through the Arizona State Department of Education and it targets families in a positive way recognizing that because we do have a lot of military families with Luke Air Force Base close by. We are going to have a lot of families and subsequently their children who are going to move schools quite often in their career um every 18 months for some, every three years for some. And the Purple Star program is a symbol that we can put on our

168school to say we welcome the children of military families and we are here to support the children of military families with the transitions that are often very difficult for them having been in school maybe in Texas in second grade, moving to North Carolina in fourth grade and then starting middle school in Arizona. So, this is a program that some individuals I've already met with out of Luke Air Force Base um have been very transparent and very open with what they can do. So, we do have some contacts. Um, I am interested with governing board approval. We'll speak with the superintendent if that is something that the governing board would like to see a presentation on the purple star program. I've already laid the foundation for that with the people to say, would you be able

169to come out sometime and speak to our community, our governing board if possible, and the answer is yes. So, I'm looking forward to hopefully bringing them out. And I don't know again if this is going to directly tie in to our signature program. However, our signature program is most specifically is going to have some sort of connection with Luke Air Force Base. And so, I did want to bring this in to at least expose you to what that might look like. A timeline uh August and September. We are researching, I have already begun researching the programs as well as we will gain input from a parent survey that will go out most likely in September with some ideas that we have to get some feedback on what our parents want to see in their signature

170program because it belongs to them and their children as well. In October, we will have a parent forum. We will discuss the results of the survey that we send out. I'm not saying we will leave that October meeting with a clear-cut signature program to recommend. But I do believe it's important to get the parents not only in the survey aspect but in the face-to-face aspect to have an audience so that they can speak about what their concerns are, what their excitement is about it and surface what we might be able to do with that. And then hopefully in November, December, this is a goal to make a final recommendation and submit a proposal to the governing board here as to what we will uh move forward with to begin implementation for the 2627 school year.

171So not as dynamic as the other people who are speaking about the great things that they have already done. This is more what we are hoping to do and planning to do. Wanted to give you some ideas on where we're at right now very early in the stage. So I am open to any questions that you have. >> Mr. person may >> you may >> uh yeah I just want to say this is an amazing opportunity you have as the principal to set up this this program that's going to be long lasting at this school so that's pretty good uh and I also want to say as a veteran from the army for 20 years and I retired recently like this purple star program that's out there is amazing like seeing the struggles my kids

172had to go through every time we moved every couple years and seeing them trying to integrate into the new class and navigating the like the new routines and new friends so it's it's amazing I'm glad this work hopefully this works out And it's so beneficial. >> Mr. President, may I >> um thank you so much for the presentation. Um you know, more of a comment. I was just happy to see that you know, you will be engaging the parents um and you know, possibly maybe students um cuz I think, you know, they have a vested interest in the signature program um of their new school and as they start to build the culture of Loretta Zumbro. So, uh thank you so much. Thank you. >> Any other questions tonight, >> Mr. President? >> Yes. >>

173U more of a comment. Again, I I love what you're doing with the school. There's a lot of positive things happening. And the aerospace engineering thing, that's going to be that's going to be really key. I really do think I think you're on the right direction, right path with that. And as board member said, the the Arizona Purple Star School, the program is just phenomenal. And I'm glad to see we're putting that in there. I know when we were doing the policies, it came up in our policies and I was like, "Wow, all right, good. Let's start this." And uh I'm glad to see it's going. So, thank you. I >> think the only reason we haven't taken the full dive in aerospace engineering is yours truly needs to figure out what that actually means.

174>> Boeing's right up the street, too. >> I know. And once we do that, but we will see. We will see. So, thank you for the comments. >> Great. >> Thank you for your time. It's exciting to see Loretta Umbrell start off. You got a great namesake. So, um, I know you got support of everybody and and it's a great community anchor. So, thank you. And and also, while you're looking at this, we'll be growing that school up to grade eight eventually. So, be exciting times. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next up is Liberty Elementary, Miss Murray. Good height. Okay. Good evening, governing board and district leadership. Uh this is also my latest presentation. I'm usually asleep three hours ago. Um so, uh thank you for having us this evening. I'm here to share

175a little bit about our signature program which is a science. Um, our first slide here is current funding. Um, so when we talk about our current budget, I'm just going to refer to the school budget line item from last year, which was approximately $5,023. And without seeing our current budget, I believe it's supposed to be somewhere around there. Um, I also have explored grant funding. Um, and yes, I I do know that that can be a burden later on, but it has been uh successful so far. So, last year we received $10,000 through a Sprouts grant. And then this year, um, I applied for what's called an Arizona FarmtoSchool collaborative grant, which is more of a coaching opportunity than it is a financial grant. um we won't be handling any funds from this, but we

176did uh we were awarded this and then I have applied again for a Sprouts grant to see if there's potentially more funds that we could get uh through sprouts. So, with our current momentum, um our goal is to immerse our students into agriculture as much as possible through uh just our school day activities as well as project-based learning. Um, so some of the activities that we've participated in, the picture that you're seeing there is the a mock goat showing from our 4 students and that was on our a showcase evening. Um, that was created by our students. They judged and they gave awards. Um, we also through last year did soil testing in our science classrooms. We explored hydroponics and aquaponics um, with some of our uh, early starters for our gardens. We designed and

177built green houses aligned with our math and science standards. Uh we choose uh intentionalformational text around agriculture. We're doing verma composting which will be bringing those worms back out. And we do um testing on which type of soil the vermma composting or the regular soil or traditional uh yields the best crops. Um so just breakdowns if we do receive the sprouts grant again this is uh similar funding to how it was spent in the previous years um it would be 1,200 to provide a stipend for um either co- uh a sponsors or one for an a club. Um approximately 5,000 for garden supplies and physical features to maintain and continue to upgrade our watering systems. uh 2,800 potentially for plants and soil and another thousand dollars for learning tools. Um this would allow us to

178get some specific gardening labs, um plants, cookbooks, etc. that are highly recommended for students. For the Arizona Farm to Collaborative, um we don't have our first meeting with them until the 29th, so we're still two weeks out from that. Um, but the collaborative is great because it also is going to um have Cindy Cabania as part of the team since she is our nutrition staff for the district. And so it combines both our school um as well as district personnel. Um and then I'll go into a little more detail about the highlights of this program. Um so we are asked to build a team. Um I am part of the team. We'll have teachers part of the team and then Cindy Cabania as well. um they're going to provide us with tailored support. They'll help

179us with different connections, new ways for integration, and ongoing professional development for both us as well as our staff. Um and we when we wrote the grant asked specifically for community connections and partnerships for additional areas of integration um in addition to what we'll be using that grant for uh continued classroom integration so ways to engage students aligned with our standards on campus um continue with Arizona Farm Bureau's a in the classroom their roster is actually opened up today. So, we already have them scheduled for twice throughout the school year and hopefully a third time as well for junior high. Um, we always find a classroom ready for hatching chickens and we like to work on that with genetics as well. Um, continued garden time, so trying to get our students out to work in

180our gardens and make specific projects aligned with that. Our a showcase event in the spring as well as continuing our county fair field trip. We have so many students that work hard with our 4 program and being able to bring them there to um help celebrate the success of those students. Uh sustainability. Um I can also work on a specific budget as far as what that would look like if we weren't to use grant money, but I do think looking for grants each year is a great icing on the cake. um and a way to uh keep that money coming that might not be uh available. But um so we'll continue to pursue grant opportunities but always uh use our money fiscally responsibly that we are provided from the district uh program goals. So to

181foster more community partnerships, bring in experts to share with our students. We have a lot of local experts. continue the instructional coaching and professional development through this current grant that we're receiving this year um in the future if it's ever um something that we are able to have establishing an a science specials class and then professional development for our teachers. Um we don't always get a pool of teachers who are experienced in agriculture. Um we often hire the teachers who are highly qualified for the job in the academic core areas. And so um having some professional development for them so they can find ways to help integrate our our a science program as well. Why agriculture? Uh just a couple statistics. Uh roughly one in 10 jobs are connected to agriculture in some way and

182they are often in engineering and science as well. Um but agriculture still is a a big future item here. And then in postsecary there has been a 46% increase. The most current statistic I could find was in 2021 in post-secary degrees related to agriculture. So still significant. And then when students connect science to the soil beneath their teeth, learning becomes rooted in real world purpose. Questions? >> Members questions. >> Mr. President, you may. Um, thank you, Miss Murray, for this presentation. It's uh I love the A science program that is over at Liberty. Um, I think this was the first year this last year that we actually turned it into a school field trip basically going down to support the kids at 4 at the county fair >> and I all I heard was great

183things about that and I'm so glad that we were able to do that and hopefully that continues and continues and continues. Um, I I would like to try to pull a little bit more and you had it in your goals on the the local farms, the local businesses that are all egg based. You got Hickman's right up the street. We got quite a few. We got a lot of resources around here. Um, and you know, that's something that even the community can go out to those places and put in that plug because I think that there's a lot of resources for for that. And if we can if we can get those businesses or those um individual farms or whatever, whether it be field trips or getting them into the classroom and and helping with

184this, you know, that that helps relieve of our funds, you know, if they can help with that. So, anyways, thank you so much for that and what you're doing there. >> Thanks. >> Any further questions? Um, thank you for what you're doing. It's great to see the program continue to grow. I know it's a big uplift again from when you inherited the program. Uh I just wanted to go back a little bit on your budget as I'm seeing you you relied on grants and thank you for that because I get where you're at. We're having to use grants right now for sustainability purposes. Um get the program going. It looks like the district is only find funding you about $5,23. Is that is that where you're at? Everything else is basically grant funded. >> Correct.

185That was our last year number and I did check with Miss Moer and I believe the number was going to be similar in the budget approved tonight. Okay. >> Sure. >> Yes. >> Okay. It's it's not enough. That's just obvious. So, we need to we'll we'll look at this and and go from there. So, okay. Um yeah, I think that's it that I had. Again, thank you and it's great to see the egg nights. Um those are always fun. I'm especially thankful for the sprouts program. We got a sneak preview of your at the time a very small newborn baby. So I hope everything's still going well there. But uh um it was great to go up there and receive that award from them and hopefully you get it again. >> Yeah, that'd be great.

186So >> thank you. >> You got another one? >> All right. Next up is Lasus Academy, Miss Kathy Gentry. Good evening, governing board members, Superintendent McDonald, and members of the community. I'm going to represent Lasus um and the programs that we have. We have a currently about 600 students on our campus. It's designated title one. 55 students on our campus are language learners, English language learners. And um our signature programs are K5 dual language um immersion and performing arts and we are the home of the roadrunners. Our mission is to cultivate curious, confident and problem solving students. Um and we do that by focusing on visual and performing arts and the dual language immersion um program. Oh, this did not come through very clearly, unfortunately. But I wanted to show you um the the gains

187that our teachers and students have made, especially on the math um side of our AASA assessment. Um and in most of our classrooms, Spanish is being taught in our math classrooms. And unfortunately this data didn't come through um in the in the slide presentation but we made tremendous gains on our AASA and I wanted to just highlight and celebrate um that especially in our third, fourth and fifth grade. So, um, our program is, um, aiming for 5050, um, English and Spanish instruction. And, um, the ABCs of, uh, a bilingual program is that we are focused on academic achievement, bilingualism, and biiteracy, and also on cultural competence. and we're striving to ensure that our program is meeting the model um the model um expectations I guess for a sound dual language program. So we are striving

188for Spanish instruction half of the day. Okay. So um what are the benefits? We know that the benefits of learning another language is that it helps to enhance our critical thinking, problem solving skills and abilities and it sharpens focus and that bilingualism is a highly soughta asset in the workforce. So, we have about 55 students currently enrolled in our DLA program at Reese's and um 30% of our students are um enrolled are open enrollment, meaning that parents are driving them in. They're not in our district bounds. Um that they are being brought to our campus. Um, and I want to say that the draw is probably that these families are seeking to enroll their students in our DLI program and also the performing arts um, experience that students um, receive at our campus. That works

189too. Thank you. >> Thank you. Well, you can see the tremendous um success that our students in third, fourth, and fifth grade um especially on the math um AAS essay assessment. I just really wanted to highlight that our language arts, they're also making tremendous gains in several of our grade levels, but um on our math side, we're we're seeing significant gains for students. Okay, I'm just gonna jump. Oops. So, okay. So, our performing arts, um, we have multiple programs at our, um, campus. Um, and we know that these programs, they build students, um, self-esteem and teaches perseverance and all the things that help build up students. And then we see that performance and academically as well. So we know that there's a tremendous impact um with students having opportunities to perform. Some of the performances

190that we've had. Do I get to scroll? Okay. Uh studio center dance. This is one of the afterchool events that we that we have. Um and I'll speak a little bit about how we are able to afford um this when I get to the budget. And then we also have plays like this past year we had um the winter play was Alice in Wonderland or that was in the spring. Okay. So the budget we have a $9,300 um m allocation and we do have a space rental at um Lasus which over the year um brought in about 9,000 just over $9,000. And then our students and their families, they contribute to um participation. So they're contributing if they um are joining our afterchool ventures, then they're paying for um like the costumes and and a

191participation fee to help offset some of the stipens that we would pay for teachers who um are um teaching the classes. And then we did have a balance um from the prior year um that was about 5,000. And then we have some expenses. And I did put an asterisk in there because I don't know that these expenses were actual like true to the budget, but this is what we had in our spreadsheet. So I um I just wanted to point that out. So, our goals for the signature program is to continue to showcase our performing and fine arts um over the rest of the the coming upcoming school year. Um school leaders and teachers will continue to build relationships um with a DLI model. So, we're going to build um our capacity as well. um

192and that we're also going to target um utilizing 100% Spanish in our classroom. So, we have um several classrooms that are very sound in terms of utilizing Spanish 100% of the time, but we need to continue to build our professional um knowledge and of how to deliver that instruction 100% of the time in all of our dual language classrooms. And then uh one other endeavor is in um 202627 school year is that we actually start assessing students. There are multiple different um resources we could use to um assess students um language proficiency and so that parents are receiving a report a report card with how their child is progressing throughout. and we can um assess them with either um speaking um reading, writing and we can do that from third grade. So we would like

193to start incorporating some measurement to show families that students are demonstrating that they are attaining and um utilizing more of the Spanish they're learning in class. And then our immediate goals for next year um are to get to know our students, families, and and teachers. Um evaluate the instruction. So that's personally for me to just to get to know all of our community and evaluate the instructional practices that are in place. There are some sound instructional practices in our classrooms and we need to leverage the experts on our campus um especially in our dual language um classrooms and there many staff coming into our campus with passions and they can also impact the performing arts as well. So we need to leverage what we have on our campus. Um this year we'll be conducting walkthroughs

194and providing feedback um to strengthen our uh dual language program and also introduce a look for tool um so that we are um we are targeted in how we um approach um the the language development in our classrooms and how we're engaging students in that language. Um and we're going to offer professional development opportunities um in multiple areas so that we are building our capacity across our campus. And then just we want to get to know um who our community partners are. Um currently um we we have um staff who are providing the um like the dance instructors and and those things, but we want to partner with some vendors and and um continue to build our program with our community in mind and then also serving parents to see what their um needs are

195as as they see fit. How how can we go about improving our program? Thank you. And do you have any questions, concerns, or feedback? >> Members, any questions may >> uh yeah, I was going to ask a question about um the programs only through K through five. I seen that you on there you address that and kind of trying to expand um into sixth grade. Is the ultimate goal to try to get up through eight or like what's your goal for that? >> That would be that would be a dream. Um it's a dream that I would love to realize um for the district and um knowing that our students they can earn high school credit if they um take the um like an Apple assessment which is a a lang a language assessment that

196shows students proficiency in Spanish. They can already earn high school credit um while they're still at a K8 campus. So yeah, >> Mr. President, >> you may >> um I I love the dual language program. I'm so happy that we have that option in our district. Uh I grew up in a district in a large public district that had um language immersion schools available. I did not attend one of them, but I had many friends that did. Um, and I had one friend in particular that's popping in my head that graduated from high school with a minor in French because she went to a French immersion school. She went continued through middle and high school and in high school got to go to college and take French class, you know, so that puts her ahead

197in so many ways. And if we can do that and get our students on the path to doing things like that with Spanish, which we should all probably know, um, I wish I knew better. You know, we're just setting them up for success. And talking about science careers and all of these other things, if they can speak two languages or three languages, they're heads and tails above their competitors going for these jobs. So, I'm so proud that we have this. Um, I love the idea of getting it through middle school. But I know one of the the hard parts is finding the instructors who are also able to teach. >> Yes. >> In in Spanish. Um, but if we could do that, what an amazing opportunity we would be giving to our students. So, thank

198you for everything that you're doing. >> Thank you. It's possible. We can do this. >> Mr. President, one more time. >> You're not off the hook quite yet. Nice try. You almost made it, but no. We'll have your second presentation after the last school. You get to be the latest to leave. >> Miss Zimmerman, go ahead. >> Um, thank you so much for the presentation. I just wanted to uh, you know, take a moment with you to recognize the success um, of of the math asa. I mean, when you look at those numbers and the and the growth from the year before, it really is incredible. So, you know, hats off to the teachers and the staff and the administration that, you know, were able to achieve that. um and that you're able to, you

199know, work to continue that improvement. I also really just enjoyed your goals. I thought they were very forward thinking, very specific um and what you hope to accomplish with the program and really moving the program forward and continuing to try to grow it. So, I really appreciate that. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> You're not done yet. Um again, I just wanted to look at budget wise. It looks like we're funding you at $9,300, but your program right now is costing $33,415. >> No, that's not accurate. >> Oh, you No, you're making that. >> No. >> Okay. So, you're you're funding your whole program is only costing 9,319. >> No, it's costing less. I want to say less than that. >> Okay. All right. >> We had an overage the previous year. 5,000.

200>> Okay. >> And um the space rental or the facility rental, that's another uh 9,000. So, we are we're in the >> you're on the other side of everybody else. Okay, great. Okay, my apologies to there. Um, I too will say your dual language program is uh it's very cool to come there and see kids learning math and Spanish I would argue might be a tri language program because math is its own language for students and and uh and to pick that up and and be doing in Spanish I've seen before is amazing. Um, your your programs have have been great. I always like coming to the Studio Center plays. They're they're fantastic and and uh so so thank you for that. Uh most importantly, I'd just like to welcome you in your new position

201as principal at Los Besus and uh I think your presentation shows we're off on the right track and we're excited to have you there. Very very excited. I think you're going to fill a key role in that campus and look forward to see all your successes. This in a few months this will be nothing compared to what I think you'll do down there. So, >> thank you so much. I just have to say the energy on that campus is palpable. like the staff, they're just they're workers. I can already feel it. You know, they're coming in, they're sending emails. What do you want me to do? And they are just they're really workers. And I appreciate having that positive energy that I'm Yeah, I'm really thrilled. >> Great. Thank you so much. >> Thank you.

202>> Right. Next on the list will be Freedom Elementary, Mr. Carlos Ardone. All right. Um, good evening, uh, President Todd, uh, governing board members, uh, welcome, uh, Superintendent McDonald's, and good evening, cabinet. So, it's I think it's right 10:00, so we'll right at 10:00. I was thinking maybe I'll start at like close to 10, but it's 10 o'clock, so I'll try to keep it short. Um, again, this is my name is Carlos Verdon. I'm the principal of Freedom Elementary. Uh this will be my second year uh going into Freedom. I um I was sharing with um with Kathy actually that I'm super excited about this year because I actually know the community now. I know the needs that the community has. Um I got to work with amazing teachers this last year and luckily a

203lot of them are coming back. A lot of those key players. So we're excited to continue something that we started last year. So I'm here today to talk about our our program our signature program which is communication. And right when I started last year I kept asking like what do we do? what is communications? So, I was asking teachers like what is your role in this? What is your role in that? And you know, I got mixed answers from different teachers, but I did have one teacher that wanted to take on the whole the whole uh program and she actually wanted to volunteer. I asked about a stipen and she said, "You know what? I'll do it for free. I just want to make sure that we get this group of students really excited about

204communication." But I don't have a lot of pictures. I actually have some videos that I wanted to show you uh because our students at Freedom um are really um they're really talented, right? And that's something that we want to continue next year and I'll get into a little bit more. So, I'm going to use this to show you. Let's see if it's working. Let's see. Oh, here we go. So, basically, what is it? Right. So, our communication um program at at Freedom, the whole goal is to be able to have students communicate via multimedia, different uh different uh and then broadcast what they're able to record whether is it's, you know, throughout the school or work. And I want to this year actually want to connect it to more academics. I wanted to be educational

205because the videos that you're going to see, you're going to see um daily announcements. You're going to see some episodes of what we call Talent Talk where they go around and record some of the events that we have. But this year, and I'm jumping ahead, I want to make sure that it's more it's more connected to our academics and to what's going on in the classrooms. So, um, so we have monthly and quarterly or even semester, uh, talent talks. That is the name of a program that we use, um, that our students go ahead and then actually go around and interview teachers or members of the community at different events. And then they go ahead and put that those videos together and create this amazing video. And then I have some to show you. If

206you can play maybe the first one which will be right here. Actually that's the go to the first one. Yeah. Wait a few a minute. [Music] We have some breaking news. We have a new Ton talk crew. We are so excited to be able to create some cool month videos for you. We cannot wait to show all the wonderful things that are happening across our Freedom campus. Go Falcons. [Music] So this was the first episode of our talent talk. So as you saw that was the that was the student group that that was staying after school and during specific events that would go around and record and put these videos together. So, um, as you can see, this is when we were celebrating Veterans Day and all the different events that happen in the first

207semester. Um, so talking more about what does it look like? So, let's see. Um, can you play the daily announcements? Um, I think it was the first video you have. Yeah, that one. >> Freedom Falcons. Today is is Monday, May 12th, and special rotation day one. The weather forecast for today will be sunny with a high of 104 degrees. For tomorrow, the weather will be 100° with bright sunny skies. Today's lunch menu options are orange chicken with brown rice, mini corn dogs, or a fresh turkey ham and cheese sandwich. For tomorrow, your lunch options are grande cheesy nachos, juicy hamburger, or fresh turkey and cheese sub. Quick reminder, there's testing happening on campus today. Please be mindful of those grade levels testing. Those are all the announcements for today. Have a wonderful Monday. Please stand

208for the pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence. >> So the really cool thing about freedom is when I was coming from Phoenix, I I was doing announcements every day. And when I found out, well, it's student le. They're doing it all. And I and I'm like, okay. So I had to bring the student into my office to do the announcement. They're like, no, they're all on YouTube. The kids are the teacher helping the students putting it together every day. So which is really cool. We have a really good um amount of students who are you know comfortable and proficient in doing this. But my goal next year is to bring it to more right to make sure that more students have access to this because the reality is that those students who

209are really passionate about creating you know the videos and then publishing them uh they're going to continue to do it but we want other students as well. We have I mean over 500 students that would love to do this. So maybe next year we will be rotating it via uh you know in different classrooms. So, and I believe that's when the program started, the whole goal was it for teachers to actually communicate with families via videos like that. And I actually found a video from like two years ago that had a teacher that had like their monthly um communication was via YouTube or you know whatever that teacher was using. So something like this that we can create and we can uh create it in all the classrooms. Can you move to the next slide?

210I don't this is not working. Oh maybe. All right. So now let's talk about funding. Right. So, because the first thing I asked was like, "Oh, how are we funding this?" Um, and since my teacher had actually volunteered to do it for free, I didn't have to worry about a stipen. But I did find out that there is a line in the signature program that last year gave us $8,281, which I didn't even touch because with the conversations about the budget and everything, I wanted to make sure that I wanted to save that money so that way next year, which is this upcoming year, if we have bigger plans of expanding this into more classrooms and also having uh more groups be part of this, that I would save that money. And so I don't

211know if it rolls over or not, but and we anticipate to have the same type of funding. So that money was not touched because I realized that all of our equipment that we have uh microphones, uh video cameras, and the uh and the software that we use to put all the videos together is still in great working condition. So we didn't have to spend that money. Um so the status of the program, as as you can see, we want to continue with the program, but we want to grow it and we want to get feedback from the students, from the families. We want to make sure that it's something that we can grow. I actually um I met with the Bakai um what's her name? Um that the director of communications uh to see how

212she can help us because she's down the street from us. So, we want to make sure that we establish a relationship with her and a partnership with her because we want to make sure that we include all of our students and not just a few uh the few students that we have there. Um because at the end um some of the things that we wanted to do is we want to have some of those mini lessons that our teachers are really good at maybe create them and publish them and post them online. Um or the or students some we had some students older students who were working with younger students that I have amazing pictures of them working together but if we can publish that online and for parents to have access to that so

213they can practice that at home will be even better. Um so that's part of the plan. I'm actually started getting into the plan for this year. We want to continue with the student led daily announcements, but we want to rotate it. We want to have more classrooms involved. We want to make sure that we have more episodes of talent talk that is not just two or three to cover specific events that are fun like our assemblies and all that, but we want to make sure that we turn more into the educational aspect of what we're doing and why we want to communicate, right? Because there's so many uh avenues for media now, right? And when our kids are really good at using their cell phones and posting stuff even when they're not supposed to, but

214we want to make sure that they learn how to do it the right way as well, right? Um so the plan is to involve this and because we want them to become better readers, better writers, and better mathematicians and scientists. So that is our goal for this year and hopefully um if we're able to keep that budget, we already start getting quotes and getting more microphones so our kids can start, you know, doing this a little bit more and and that's going into sustainability. Um well, we hope to maintain the working equipment and make sure it doesn't break. Um and then also research educational grants as to you know on on how to improve on on communication. Um I I'll be honest with you this last year I it wasn't my focus 100% of the

215time to grow the program because I was just learning it. But now that I that I can see what the other schools are doing and how and what they're doing with it, I want to make sure that that we're able to grow it even more this year. Um so yeah so I established a relationship with Bakai with the city of Bakai to ensure that they also support us because they have been supportive in many different levels. Um, so in a nutshell, I I think maybe can you show the last video if it can show because I was on Canva. [Music] I think I'm the first person who gets interviewed. So, they had some really good questions though. Um, but anyway, so that is my presentation. Um, the goal is to continue to grow their program

216and to get more of that equipment so we can get it into more classrooms. We do have the Chromebooks, the one to one, but we do need a few more microphones and maybe more cameras and and the goal is to publish it to make sure that it's out there for families to see. Uh my reading intervention is actually was going to record a few quick videos and you know some of the reading skills and some of those mini lessons that our kids can practice and she was going to do with students as well. So I kept it under 12 minutes. So but now I'm open to any questions you may have. >> Members questions >> and Mr. President, >> you may. >> Yeah. Thank you, Carlos, for this presentation. Uh, communication is such a a

217key thing, a key life skill for everybody. Um, so, you know, it's it's a great program. I wanted to ask first, do you guys have a green screen uh like a media room or is it >> No, we don't. So, that's um it's it's on the wish list. >> Okay. All right. Um, one of the things I would like to encourage, and I know technology is huge, right? We're getting in a lot of technology, but I think one of the things that we are getting away from which we need to focus on a little bit more is the face-toface communication. Um, so I would encourage and take it back to your staff and talked about it, but I would encourage something like a tech-free communication day where no phones, no nothing. You let's let's work

218on communication face to face. How do you look somebody in the eye? Because that's an art that we're losing. And if we're focusing on communication tech technically, it's there's a lot there. We can do a lot with it, but we're losing a lot of this. And we're we're seeing this throughout the nation, right? Throughout the world really um where kids don't know how to communicate face to face anymore. Everything's through the an app or their phone. So, you know, just something to think about. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> All right. Do you have an idea, Mr. Ardone? Uh you mentioned new microphones, new cameras. Do you have any idea what the cost of that will be and what you're thinking of how many and uh it would be great to bring forward so

219we can start looking for that funding? >> You know, I mean, right now we're thinking at a at a grade level u expenditure. So um and it depends on the microphone. So, I would had to talk to my coordinator at the school, but I know that um I know that the last time that some of the budget was actually spent, it was like two years ago, and they spent about $3,000 to buy the equipment they have. So, I would assume with the prices going up that it will be somewhere around that, which our budget would cover. Okay. >> Thank you. Enjoyed seeing the videos. Thank you for the presentation. >> Thank you. Mr. President, could we take like a three minute recess? >> We certainly can. I was just waiting for somebody else to ask

220that so I didn't have to be the one. Let's uh show us in recess for uh 3 to 5 minutes, something like that. [Music] SP my head. Yes. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey. [Music] Wat. [Music] at the times 10:20. are going to show us back in general session and our next program will be Estray Mountain Elementary School with Miss Lindsey Boris. >> Good evening, governing board district leadership. Thank you for having us this evening. Um Australia Mountain is unique. We have two programs under the international balorate. Uh we house um the PYP for K5 and my for 68. So tonight I will briefly go over um all five of these topics and then leave some time at the end for questions. Um like

221I stated we have the primary years program which is kinder through fifth grade and then the middle years program which is 6th through 8th grade. Our PYP oh I don't know why the S is down there. Um some important things to note with our PYP is that um all of our students know their learner learner profiles that we have transdisciplinary themes. So if their unit is um global thinking then it is taught in music, art, PE, math, science, all of the different content areas. One of the goals that we had the last two years was working on inquiry based learning in K8 and um our K5 teachers did a really nice job of ensuring that was occurring. And then the other big piece in here is agency. So we want our students to own their

222learning and go out and take action. So if they are wondering about something, they are researching it. They're taking action and owning their own learning. My is very similar. We have the approaches to learning which then takes placeses takes place for the learner profiles. Again, you have the inquiry based learning. You have services action. So this is getting students to go out and do um their action and apply their learning through community service which we connect with our personal project at the end. In a traditional MYP program, there's five years. Uh we only obviously have sixth, seventh, and eighth. So, we ended in year three, and that's when you see them do their community projects. We had an evaluation in October. It followed a year-long self-study for both of the programs. So, what happens is

223you have one year to have a self-reflection on both programs. You submit your reflection. It's a very long document. It's about 25 pages. and you submit that to the IB. They then review that and they send out three evaluators for a three-day evaluation. So, they came out October 7th through 9th. And at the end of that evaluation, they give you about a 30 minute debrief. So, they speak to you about what your um where where you could grow, what you're doing well, things that they see are happening, and then they give you an idea of what your matters to be addressed are. So those are the things that the IB says you need to either implement because you don't have it in place or things that you could get better at. Then in February, you

224get an actual evaluation report with the items all laid out in there. And then by September 1st, we are required to provide them um statements of achievement that we've done all of those things as well as an action plan for those items that we cannot meet by September 1st. We are a very cheap program as you can see. Um, no pun intended. Um, PYP is 9350 that is per year. My is just over 11,000 that is per year. It is required by IB for you to have an IB coordinator for both programs. So, we are not meeting that expectation. The way we get around that is we do a stipen for a coordinator. So, it is a classroom teacher. So, a full-time classroom teacher is running my PYP position um program and then I have

225a full-time teacher doing my MYP program. So, they're required to meet with teachers to work on unit planners, ensure that we're doing all of the things that we need to be doing, provide professional development. Um but professional development given by our staff is not counted as um official IB professional development. So you'll see down there I have a line item for just over $17,000 that I need to find some way to ensure that we can make sure all of our staff is appropriately trained in IB and that pendulum consistently swings. So as they change their standards, those professional development requirements change. Our current IB status is we do have several matters to be addressed. Uh most of them come down to document type items such as our um unit planners which takes time in order

226for our teachers to create those. And they also have to be able to be combined with our unit planners that we have as a district. And then um professional development is a big one with them because they stated in our matters to be addressed that we were not appropriately um trained as teachers and staff. Those are minimum expectations. So, we need to be sure that we're working towards those. And then we have an action plan that my IB coordinators and a few of my teachers have been working on with me to ensure that we can move our program in a positive direction. Oops. Next steps um is the funding for professional development and other things that we need to continue to grow our program. Additional time, which I think we all would say as administrators

227we need for our teachers. The unique thing with IB is they are required to have these unit planners that consistently are refined and reflected upon by teachers and the students and that takes time and it also needs to be integrated with anything that's changed within our state standards. So um their planning is a little bit more in-depth and sometimes feels like they're doing double planning. And then we are talking about as a staff creating a committee to evaluate our signature program. are we using uh taxpayer money um and good stewardship of funds because it is so expensive and the pendulum is sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw sw swinging so differently with IB, but also

228just making sure that it's best for kids. We believe in IB. We believe in the framework. We believe in the practices that it teaches our students, but is it truly what we should be doing as a campus to best meet the needs for our students? So something that we've talked about and I've talked with Dr. from Mohorn a little bit about um our previous superintendent as well as trying this year to do some form of committee that included uh our community members, our parents, students, staff to decide is IB the direction we want to go or there are some other programs that we maybe should be looking at that would meet the needs of our students and I am open for questions. >> Members, any questions? Mr. President, >> you may. Um, thank you Miss

229Bros for this presentation. Um, I Yes, very expensive program. I think I added all that up and if we add it all up, it's like $42.5,000. Um, my my question is, can you give me an example of a studentled project uh that one of the students would have done >> for the end of the fifth grade program or the end of the eighth grade program? >> Uh, either one, I guess. >> So, I'll use eighth grade. So, our community service projects, uh, we've had students do benches like a buddy bench. So, we have a buddy bench in our far side of our playground. We had an eighth grade student that felt the need of making sure that our students had a safe place to go to at recess. So, she worked with her mentor, which

230was the art teacher, to build her own bench with her dad and her, and it's a now staple on our campus. And then she went around and taught our students what the buddy bench was, the meaning behind it, how you should be using it. Um, so there's that. We've had students do book drives for um like the little libraries and things like that. Um I'm trying to think of some other ones just off the top of my head. Lots of things with the homeless um and collecting things for those. It's a little harder for Australia to do some of those community projects because it's such a small community and they're only in eighth grade so they can't drive anywhere. So they're really required to rely on their parents and sometimes that can be a little

231bit difficult. >> Y Thank you. Any further questions? Okay, I have I have several um actually and I will preface this by saying I'm very concerned. Um there was an email sent to the district on May 6th and as we look at sustainability of a program and how we're spending these tax dollars to your point. Um on May 6th, there was an email sent from IB International to the district outlining significant problems with communication and failed responses. Um talks about both CRAM programs were scheduled that PYP and the NYP um were scheduled to have program evaluated in 2023 and 24. Despite our repeated efforts and extensions, we regret to inform you that we have not yet received the necessary evaluation documents from the school which were originally due on March 15, 2024. Uh it says

232they provided extensions and offered support to the school. The letter goes on to say that keeping in view of current circumstances, instead of a remote evaluation visit, the visits are now going to be conducted as an on-site visit with the IB team visiting team members being present in person on the campus. And then it talks about a summary of communications that have happened over the last several years with the district. And I I think it's important for transparency that we talk about this as we look at what's going on with taxpayer money being spent. On November 3rd, the school delivery system reached out to the school notifying the school about their upcoming evaluation. I forwarded the email to the head of the school offering help in case they needed help in selecting the timeline for

233the submission of documents alongside reminding the school to have regular evaluation support meetings with me to ask any questions that they may have. October 21st, 2022, school delivery team reminded the school that they have not yet submitted their dates for the submission of documents. October 25th, 2022, I wrote the school asking if they had any questions. In addition, I shared the sessions that the school could participate in to learn about the evaluation process and its components. May 17, 2023, school delivery team was a sent a reminder email to the school since the school leadership had not selected dates of the submission of the documents and proposed dates for the remote visit. June 15, 2023, school delivery team confirmed the dates that the school selected for the submission of documents. Quote, based on your school's response,

234the preliminary review documentation submission deadline is October 15, 2023. The self-study questionnaire deadline is January 1st, 2024, and the tenative evaluation visits dates are May 13 through May 15, 2024. August 16, 2023, the emails that were provided shared with the school were forwarded onto them. September 15th, 2023, school delivery team confirmed the new dates that the school wanted, the last timeline the school could select for their evaluation. The preliminary review documentation submission deadline is 15th uh March 2024. The self study questionnaire deadline is January or sorry June 1st 2024 and attentive evaluation visits are October 7th to October 9th of 2024. February 15, 2024, the school was informed about the visiting team members. March 15th of 2024, the school was supposed to upload their evaluation documents but the school missed the deadline. March 22nd, 2024.

235The school was informed an extension until March 22nd, let me rephrase that. Was offered an extension until March 22nd to submit the documents for the IB educators to carry out the review. The school missed the deadline. March 26th, 2024, I reached out to the principal and asked her to ensure that the documents are uploaded to IB concierge and offered support. March 26th, the principal wrote an email to me sharing that the coordinators missed the deadline and that she will ensure that the coordinators upload all the documents. The principal also shared that she will be meeting with the coordinators during the lunch hour. Tina was provided to the school to upload their documents by April 1st. April 1st, the school missed the deadline again. April 2nd, a reminder email was sent to the school to upload

236their documents by the end of the day on April 2nd. April 9th, the school requested that they need until April 15th after the principal met with me to submit their documents. Further extension request was approved. April 15, 2024, the school missed the deadline. April 17, 2024, the school was offered a further extension till April of 20 April 22nd. April 17, 2024, the principal confirmed that she and her team will complete the upload by the 22nd. April 17, 2024, the associate manager uh offered support and also shared reminders about the next steps. April 24th, I reached out to the school as they missed their extended deadlines and asked the school to upload the documents by the end of the day. In addition, we offer to be available if the school had any questions. Documents are not

237yet submitted for review. Before we grant the school access to upload any further documents, we would appreciate a meeting. That's concerning. We're paying a lot of money for this program, paying staff to lead this program, and this tells me that this campus can't manage this program. We finally got a review done, and I'm reading this evaluation, and it's pages and pages about everything that's wrong, everything that's happening. The school appointed a PYP and NYP director with job description. Conversations with members of the school and the coordinators do not confirm that the program coordinators have the release time necessary support and an organizational position with the uh galago I can say that word uh leadership team to facilitate curriculum and development. The preliminary review did not confirm that the school had met the required IB recognized

238professional development and did not provide a document at that time. Conversations with the coordinators noted that the program coordinators have not completed required professional development that is up to date with the most current versions of the program under their responsibility. Observations during the visit and conversations with members of the school community do not confirm that the school allocates dedicated and scheduled or timetable time for teachers collaborative planning and reflection. School offers some opportunities on a Friday every month, but those are not always devoted to collaborative planning or discussing IB related matters. School leadership and teachers confirmed this year they have only dedicated one of those monthly meetings for IB and this was focused on the evaluation visit and details around it. Learn review did not confirm that the school had created an admission or access

239policy. Conversations with members of the school community do not confirm that the school has developed an access or admissions policy that clearly describes the conditions for participation in the school's IB programs. The preliminary review did not confirm that the school had met the requirements for the language policy. There was not a language policy submitted. Conversations with members of the school community do not confirm that the school ensures that students learn a language in addition to the language of instruction, at least at the age of seven. Students receive Spanish beginning in grade three. We're not done. The preliminary review and conversations with members of the leadership team do not confirm that the school implements a schedule that provides for the minimum required teaching hours for each subject group. Design does not meet the 50-hour requirement. The

240schedule shows 40 hours of champs which is listed as music, art, physical, and health education in Spanish for the three years of the program. This does not meet the program requirement of 50 hours. The preliminary review and conversation with members of the leadership team do not confirm that the school complies with IBM mandated professional development requirements as outlined in IB documentation. Preliminary review and conversations with members of the school community do not confirm that the school has developed subject group overviews and approaches to learning planning chart in accordance with program documentation. The preliminary review and conversations with members of the school community do not confirm that teachers use MYP planning process to collaboratively design, plan, deliver, and document student inquiry. The preliminary review and conversations with members of the school community do not confirm that

241students take opportunities to develop, act, and reflect on my learning outcomes for service in each year of the program. The preliminary review and conversations with members of the school community did not confirm that the teachers plan and design assessment of student learning based on the criteria and procedures in accordance with program documentation. Preliminary review and conversations with members of school community do not confirm that all students in the MYP year 3 have access to project description handbooks. Conversations with members of the school community do not confirm that the school implements a schedule that provides for the development of the leader of the required number of transdisciplinary units of inquiry. Observations in classrooms indicate that units are not developed to be transdisciplinary as the school uses a departmentalized schedule where there is not conceptual flow between

242subjects. Preliminary review did not confirm that the school had met the required IB professional development for the PYP program. Conversations with members of the school community do not confirm that the school complies with IBM mandated professional development requirements as outlined in IB documentation. Time of the visit, it was confirmed that only seven out of 17 PYP teachers have received official IB professional development. The preliminary review did not confirm that the school had met the requirements for completed units and a program of inquiry. Conversation with the teachers and school documentation do not confirm that the teachers collaboratively planned dis transdisciplinary units of inquiry. observations and conversations do not confirm that the school has designed a program of inquiry that consists of six units of inquiry, one of each. This continues to go on. I'm not going

243to waste these people in here's time to hear all this. That's just for one section. There's still a whole another section that continues to talk about problems. And I have to be honest, I'm very concerned that this is the most expensive program we have. We spend a a disproportionate amount of dollars on this program when other schools are struggling with $5,000 and this campus has this sort of a review that comes back after you had years to get this right. This started in and we just got this back after a an email to our former superintendent saying what's going on. Um, I I think staff need to take a hard look at this program immediately and and we need to figure out where we're going with this, but I I don't see this as a

244sustainable program at all under any circumstance. I have no further questions or thoughts. We'll move on to Blue Horizons Elementary. Mr. Brandon Valdez, another new principal for us. Good evening, Mr. President, governing board members, Superintendent McDonald, and members of the community. I am the proud new principal of Blue Horizon. My name is Brandon C. Valdez. Super excited to present this our signature program that we're going to be working on at Blue Horizons. Uh currently right now with our enrollment, we are enrollment. We took a small dip with uh Loretta Zumbro uh being opened up, but that was exactly the plan for that. So, it's working out great with that. We have 773 and our career our signature program is going to be college and career readiness/exploration. I really love this idea. As a middle school

245teacher, I've always prepped my eighth graders. Hey, I'm not getting you ready for eighth grade. I'm getting you ready for high school. Always getting them that mindset to think in the future and think ahead. Uh the curriculum that we're going to be using for this. So, right now, uh with Blue Horizons, our signature program is that career career readiness and we now have a time frame that every student is going to be able to experience this. So, we're going to be using define learning and deline uh defined learning will encompass the heart of the signature program. All students K through eight will have the opportunity to explore interactive platform during their chaps uh CHAPS time frame. So, from what I'm my understanding with defined learning uh it's been on our campus for about three years,

246but it was a tiered support. So, not all students were having the opportunity to get this. So now at least once a week, every child from kindergarten to 8th grade is going to be able to have some type of career exploration and working with a project-based learning platform. Uh what makes defined unique? So right now I'm just going to be talking specifically about the curriculum because that's going to be the heart of it and where every student is going to be able to do that. Uh the it's a comprehensive system that empowers students in grades K through eight to engage in authentic career connected projects that bridge academic learning and future success. And I want to emphasize that academic learning is because it's going to tie into their curriculum. Uh enabling every student to discover

247their potential and developing essential future ready skills. Uh those future ready skills uh we need to we we see a lack of it with a lot of our students and it comes into that classroom management piece right there. Just that simple collaboration, right? That simple collaboration or disagreeing appropriately. We don't always have to agree on the same outcome, but it's based on four uh different four tiers is what they had told me. So, I've been studying this. It's a career connected learning, future ready skills, performance task, and is project-based learning. So they're going to be presented with a real world problem and they're going to develop a solution together uh with their peers with their peers and there's we have a dedicated time we have a dedicated teacher starting this year that is going to

248be part of our champ's time. So we have our art we have our music we have our PE and now we're going to have a class specifically dedicated to career readiness and exploration. It gets into deeper learning. Deeper learning uh fosters important skills and attributes such as knowledge transfer, critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, teamwork, communication, self-directed learning and ac and the academic mindset and more. I dug a little bit deeper with this and I wanted to see like what are the additional benefits to this. The additional benefits it's going to focus on understanding and retaining knowledge rather than just memorization. It's project based. So, we're going to be working on different things. And the thing I really love about this, and it's been a I see it in the past districts that I was with

249and then talking to my instructional coach, it's a need that I'm seeing uh at my school, constructive responses to focus on those writing skills. I can guarantee talking with the other principles, I can guarantee that there's probably going to be a need for that writing because I've seen it in previous districts and when I'm going into my new school, talking to the IC, she said, "This is a high need and this is what we want to focus on." So we're going to be able to do this and when we have enrichment and we go back to that classroom they can still work on these projects these constructive responses so we can utilize that time in different uh different subject areas trying to say and it's developing those critical thinking skills jumping into funding and sustainability

250originally what I was told so uh Bruce Numinsky he was the proud principal previously and I'm trying to fill those shoes right now jumping into that school uh he is letting me know that it was $12,000 a year, but currently they're receiving a discount at $7500. I don't know how sustainable that's going to be if they're going to give us that same offer the following year, but the curriculum does cost $12,000 per year. Uh defined learning and uh I said earlier in the presentation, they're on their third year right now, but the thing I'm more excited about is that every child on that campus is going to have access to that kindergarten through 8th grade. And I I'm excited to see especially what the littles do when you give them a career-based uh plan, project-based

251learning, to see what type of uh there is no wrong answer. And uh kids, they they say the funniest thing. So, I'm excited to see what type of careers they want to explore and what type of solutions they come to the project based uh problems that they have. Short and sweet. Any questions for me? >> Mr. President, if you may, >> you may. >> Hey, thank you for the presentation. Uh I know this is your first year doing this so you might not have the answer but do you have an example of like what kind of problem set the kids would have and what kind of project that would come with it that they have to work on? >> Um so from coming from the middle uh middle school mindset and talking to some of

252my leadership team uh they developed plans of how to make the school better or businesses like a food truck stuff like that. As far as the littles, I don't know. But, um, we did sign up for a professional development with defined learning. So, our specific teacher, Ricardo Rodriguez, he's going to be taking that professional development. I want to be there right there with them to see. I'm I'm interested. I want to learn more about the curriculum. So, this is just everything I picked up from the site and talking to the rep today. >> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. Members, >> any additional questions, >> Mr. President? >> I think the writing skills is going to be huge. Um, and I know you can look at writing a couple different ways. One is writing, structuring grammar,

253you know, creating a sentence, a paragraph. Um, versus like physically getting out a pencil and writing. Um, I think that that's a skill that all of our kids and probably a lot of us adults need to refreshen up on. So, Oh, >> absolutely. And when some of it when I see, and I'm going to be frank, it's it's alarming and it's something that I really want to focus on in our school. >> Yep. Thank you. Do you are there any more questions? >> Do you know the the $12,000? Do you know how long for or that looks like a funding cliff that could happen again if they come back and say no more discount? >> Oh, that that's exactly what I was saying. I don't know how how much further it's going to be. >>

254Mr. Ninsk's uh he's playing phone a friend here. >> Lifeline. >> Hopefully a good one. Uh the quote that defined Learning gave us this year was 12 grand. We had some PD that had the opportunity to be rolled over into this year that was unused last year. And the PD that we've used the last two years has been for large groups of teachers. So it has cost more. Taking this program to a singular classroom and having some additional PED from last year that we were able to roll over initiated the 4,500 discount. moving forward, I would expect that $7,500 figure not to stay at that level that that PD would incur future costs closer to that 12 grand if needed. Now, if we have a teacher who stays in that position year in year out,

255we can forego the PD element of it and keep it at a sustainable price. >> Sure. But that program is probably going to change. So, you're still going to need PD. It's going to continue to evolve and grow, right? it has the possibility and the and the chance to do that. But having it dedicated for one teacher in one class, it is going to be much more significant. So looking at the different aspects of that software, there are other modules and pieces of that software that they could conceivably open up as our teacher gets more advanced and that would be an additional cost. Okay. >> And is the one classroom going to be enough for the campus the size that you have that's no doubt going to grow again? you're getting a break this year

256because of Zumbro, but there's more kids moving into >> the the philosophy we had in moving it and it was a it was a program that was that all K through eight students had exposure to. The difference was in our sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, we had a dedicated time during the school day, our tier three time where many students would go to get interventions, but many students would not need interventions. That's when we plug them into defined learning and utilize that. taking it out of just that time frame now and offering it to all classes. Basically, we had coding last year. We lost our funding for coding. We are replacing our coding program. They are replacing I still say we with defined learning so that each of our students gets 40 minutes a week

257every single week of this program. >> Okay, great. Thank you. All right, there's no more questions. We'll uh thank you for your time. Welcome to the district as well. All right, members, I believe that takes us uh home stretch 10.1 board comments and agenda topic requests. >> Mr. President. >> Yes, ma'am. Um, I am continuing to ask for the climate surveys that I have not received that I have asked for multiple times and I just want to ensure that all board members are receiving the exact same information and if one board member has the climate surveys, we are all entitled to them. Okay. >> Um, I also and some of this does not need to be an agenda item. It could just be in a board update. Um, I would also like an update. I

258appreciate that Dr. Mahorn said she's focusing on hiring teachers because that is super important to make sure that we have teachers in front of our students. But I'd also like an update as to where we are with the director of special ed um vice principles, psychologists. I I'm not going to explain because I don't want to violate. Um and um also if we could just have an update um on enrollment um if we're getting new students to the district, new students to Loretta Zumbro and how our class sizes um are reflective of that to ensure that we start the year meeting our class size ratios. >> All right, staff will take care of all of that. >> Mr. President, >> yes, please. you had mentioned something earlier that I would like us to just follow

259up on. Um, if district administration could uh just looking into the leader and me program, make sure we're not, you know, kind of getting ourselves in trouble with the federal requirements there. Anything else? I think I expressed it before. I'd like to take a much deeper dive into the IB program. um we have money due to again to them this month and um I I'm not sure that we're handling that program properly and it's it's very expensive. So what I would ask is staff look at a comprehensive plan that balances out our signature programs. We have some schools that are getting thousands and other schools that are scraping by on $5,000. it it doesn't seem like it's uh like it's really fair and especially when we have evaluations this nature. So you Mr. McDonald if

260you can put something together for us it'd be great. All right if there's nothing else for that we'll move to item 11.1. These are upcoming board meetings. >> Mr. President. >> Yes ma'am. Um could we try to schedule the principal roundt here so that we're transparently talking about our schedules? >> Yes. Um Mr. McDonald has asked that we hold off on that shortly so he can meet with all the principles and and structure that a little bit. So is that still what you want to do with that? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And then you'll communicate with the board about scheduling that? >> Yeah. I I I first >> Hold on really a second. We can't talk too much about it because it's just an agenda topic. So >> Okay. >> Um and then just

261one other thing please about this. Um I'm just not sure why we are labeling these as special board meetings when they're already planned. I feel like a special board meeting is one that is unplanned, but these are all part of our um board approved uh schedule. Um, we're following what legal said to do on this, but we can we can talk about I'll get legal's opinion, but we can agendaize it if we need to. Okay. So, on these, August 11th, we have a special board meeting uh and a regular board meeting. August 25th is a special board meeting. September 8th is a special board meeting. September 22nd is a special board meeting. October 6th is a special board meeting and a regular board meeting. October 27th is a special board meeting. We don't have agendas

262for those yet, but those are just future dates that we're looking out for. All right, with that, we move to item 12.1. All of our business is conducted. It is 10:53 and we'll show the meeting adjourned. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. [Music]