001Uh, good afternoon everybody. The Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District number 35 governing board calls this meeting to order on June 23rd, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the governing boardroom district office 570 Camino Leto Galindo, Rio Rico, Arizona. Um, can we please stand for the pledge? Miss Alma, can you please lead us? >> Sure. >> Thank you. 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. >> Thank you very much. [laughter] >> Okay. Um, call [snorts] to order. Miss Alma de Laiva, >> present. >> Mr. Brad Beach, >> uh, Mr. Rene Ramirez, >> present. >> Thank you. Um, Mr. Ben >> Guerrero. Okay. Mr. Ben Guerrero is absent and I'm here. Lord Vasquez,
002we do have a quorum. Um, adoption of the agenda. >> I have no recommended changes. Thank you. >> No recommendations. Uh, call to the public. >> We got to approve it. >> Do we have to approve it? Okay. Motion. We have a motion. >> Move to approve the agenda. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. All those opposed, name. >> Eyes have it. Motion passes. I'm sorry. Call uh call to the public. >> No call to the public. >> There's no call to the public. Moving on the presentation. Uh Mr. Verdugo, superintendent report. >> Thank you. Uh tonight, we just have know that last meeting uh was some information shared about the pool shade structure. >> Um and we've uh continued to work on shade across the district. So we have
003the the shade structure from the pool um as well as new shade structure out at the Calabasas Field. Um I know uh Mr. Beast says we want to grow things out there as well, but I know that there in immediate need of shade. So there's >> is that >> shade structure out at the at the field. So um so now we have it on both sides. We have one that was already on the play area. Yeah. >> That we can still use some additional >> uh shade over there, but this is now on the middle school side that has never had any shade structures out there. So, uh, so we're moving forward and continue looking how we can add those shade structures and hopefully we'll start to grow some trees as well at >> That's
004great. That's great. >> Also, uh, want to give an update. Um, Audrey shared some information with me about the aquatic center, the swim lessons. Uh, last year we had about 440. This year we've exceeded that with 444. So, so, so we're up uh similar numbers, but we're up. Um, again, many families have chosen to reenroll after they go to that first time and then reinrolling. >> Very happy to continue to have the the pool open. Um, we're also finalizing it. It's a year late, uh, but the the weight facility is almost complete down at the fieldhouse. And so once that's done, we'll try to schedule a time for the board to tour that area because we haven't had a chance to to go and see that. >> Uh but it's our our new additional weight
005room. And hopefully uh by the summer, we'll also be opening that up to public as well because that's that's always been the goal is to have the pool open for families as well as the exercise facility. Um and we have set aside funding for somebody to open that up. So hopefully that'll be done fairly soon. Um, also, um, just for wanted to say thank you to the lifeguards. You know, uh, we've had some some new, uh, students come in, but they are always doing a great job representing, uh, our our district and always doing a great job with our our young kids in the pool and teaching them how to swim because it's such a a lifesaving uh, endeavor that we are very happy to to have them. And then it also gives those students
006their first work responsibility. which is always a great thing. >> Um, also wanted to congratulate all of the teams doing things this summer. Um, and summer school we had at the high school. We have a lot of different events happening. Uh, I I saw the wrestling camp that was out. We've had basketball going on some boys and girls. Um, all the other sports teams traveling and doing things. So, wanted to thank all the the coaches. Volleyball camp. I saw that as well. Um just a lot of things happening with that we're very happy to to see happening in the summer keeping our facilities in use and keeping our students active. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Thank you. All right. >> Also the last thing >> Okay. Sorry. >> Sorry. Um you know I was gone uh for
007a few weeks with Mr. Ramirez. I wanted to thank him publicly for um taking me on the the trip with the students um and his guidance and uh in Germany and and France and his traveling. It was a great experience. Um I just wanted to to congratulate him uh because I think it's 22nd time I believe that he's done it >> and uh the the great thing and Audrey and I are putting together a release that we'll work on next week. We've been trying to get it done but we are also interviewing some of the the or what participant from the exchange program um Romney and I can't remember Mr. can uh remind me of her last name, but she was the first valid >> Hey, >> uh >> I'm sorry, Romney. >> Hit okay.
008She was the first valadictorian at Ruga High School um who now lives in Germany um and partly because of the exchange program and so she um >> was able to visit with us um and when we were in Frankfurt so she got to see her and then another student, Mr. uh no detoor uh came from the Czech Republic um drove uh rode a train three hours just so he could see Mr. Rivera. So again, congratulations to him because the impact that he's had on students um many years later and how they um expressed the reason that they're out and were able to to really explore going to Europe, moving to Europe, working in Europe is because of the exchange program. Um, and then also finally just want to mention not only was it the our
009Rio Rigo students, but we also had one of his German students that was in the exchange program uh that Nicholas that came and spend a day with us um touring and the impact that Rio Rico had on him. Um so I just wanted to again congratulate him. It was a great I've been hearing about the program for for many years. Um I'm I'm still recovering uh my legs from the 8 to 10 miles every day. Uh but it was a great experience. Um and really great to and visited the uh the school um and we'll be putting together uh an interview that we did with the school as well get to see them. So we visited a lot of places but uh visiting the school and seeing their memories of coming to Rico and us
010going there and still how it impacts them to this day. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, that's great. That's great. Great. Okay, moving on. The governing board member report. Miss Almadu, >> I have nothing to report but just just guessed. Uh, congratulations, Mr. Ramirez. [laughter] >> Yeah, definitely. Definitely. All right, Mr. Beach. >> Thank you. >> I was walking down the ramp and I I looked off to the pool area and it saw those. I thought they were just big huge tents >> and I said, "Man, those got to be the the shade structures." But, uh, the kids were loving them. Uh, the other day there bunch of little kids, parents under there while the the youngsters are over there learning how to swim. But, uh, they're just having a blast down there. >> And, uh,
011Mr. Verdugo, you're right. Swimming lessons, it's it's a lifetime lifetime, uh, event or activity that these kids can go to learn how to swim because when I was in the Marine Corps, we had to do swims and about 80% of the class >> did not know how to swim. And to me, that just blew my mind. Like, I didn't realize that. So, and we're offering this in our our little small town uh community right here. Uh let's see. Uh swim pads, splat splash pads up and running. Calabasas. Yeah, that uh shade structure out there. I used to ride my bike with uh Aliyah, my granddaughter, and we'd come up and all the students would be by the pump house in that little shade right there. They'd be standing there and I'd just be like, "No
012shade, you know." >> But uh now they got a nice little shade structure out there. So eventually we're going to get about 100 trees and it'll look good out there. Great. Yeah. But uh yeah, kudos to Mr. Ramirez and he's been doing this for quite some time. And Romney, I still remember her standing down on that field giving her little valadictorian speech. Uh the impact that it had on her. She went and studied in Germany. Uh married a German. I I don't Mr. Ramirez, was it a German or >> what was Oh, yes. She married a German and but unfortunately her husband died of cancer the first one. So then later on she met somebody at the company that she works at the biofarmaceutical company that she works at and now she's happily married to
013him and they have a child. >> Yeah. So uh Romney is doing real well in Germany. Lucas Brookon uh we hosted him down here. He's a German exchange student and uh he met us over in Germany when we went and just the impact that he said America had on him >> that our freedoms over here the open spaces we can go out the backyard and shoot our guns and you know the amount of food took him to concerts and he got in the mash pit and he just went back and he goes man you know it opened my eyes to a different culture other than what we see on the news because he goes on CNN and a lot of the liberal media it's just negative about America. Yeah, >> but we come here and
014you guys are so embracive. Your culture is great. The people are the most friendliest and uh those culture exchanges are so important to uh to to let our youngsters uh know a little bit about our culture. Yeah. >> Yep. That's >> great. That's great. Thank you very much. Okay, that's a kudos to everything that everybody said. Of course, you know, Mr. Ramirez, congratulations for uh for everything you do with the kids. Okay, I'm next. Okay, I want to go next. [laughter] >> I volunteer. No, but um you know, but yeah, that's you know, it's such a a a great experience, you know, that the kids are are are are getting exposed to as much as for the German kids that it is for our kids, you know, because without programs like this one that you
015have, okay, our kids would never be able to go, you know, to and and see the things to the depth that they see when they're are when they're with them, you know, and I think that's fantastic. Thank you for everything. Thank and thank you for everything that you do with that. Um the aquatic center is I I love the shades. I mean I couldn't believe it when I saw them. I haven't been down there personally, but I want to go down there so I can see it's I don't do sun, okay? So I need the shade. So you know, so that's why I haven't gone, but I will be going down there. Also, Calabasas. I want to go see those, too. And they said that they already finished painting all of the the the fences.
016Now they're all yellow, right? So I want to go see that, too, you know. And um um and the finalization almost done with the with the weight room. I mean that's great. We've been wanting that for a while. And again the teams, congratulations to them. Summer school is done. I think we have we did really well really really well with that. And we're just you know finishing off what we have to do now. And you know getting ready for our next round you know coming up soon. So you know hang in there everybody. Thank you. >> All right. >> Mr. >> Huh. >> Got Mr. >> Mr. Ramitz. I did. Oh, Mr. Ramirez, I forgot you. >> Thank you. I appreciate. Can you guys hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay. Well, thank you to everybody
017for the nice compliments. I appreciate it. It been a lot of It was a lot of hard work. I was telling the superintendent that when I did the full-blown exchanges that there was a lot of heavy responsibility having all those kids, you know, living in host families throughout the community. That by the way, Mr. Verdubo got to see he got to see the community of Bergen Anheim walked right through the middle of it and it was awesome. I have to say I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that I would take a superintendent with me on a on a trip. So this was extremely special to me cuz I uh I was like a little kid. I was just excited to take him to the school. I mean I knew he was going
018to enjoy the the scenery like that Mr. beach and and his wife saw as well when we went up through the forest riding our bicycles and and going to the Reich and all those things. But for me, this particular trip was exciting because I got to see the superintendent, you know, go to a to our partner school and they interviewed him and they um at first I was a little concerned. I thought that maybe they didn't they they weren't I wasn't sure you know most most of the time I mean Germans are so organized you know they're always going to be ready for you so but um I thought at first when I didn't see the principal I was a little concerned but then she was conducting um she was in these and she was
019get helping give the aur exam which is an exam that they give in Germany at the 13th grade it's oral and and verbal I mean oral and written it's not just like our final exams. And so this is really serious because if you pass exam, you get to go to the university and then your tuition is paid. And so little things like that, actually big things like that, the superintendent got to see that. I think maybe he was surprised as much as I was. Are you still there? Can you guys hear me? >> Oh yeah. >> So um just a second there. I'm sorry. You guys still there? >> Yes. Sorry, somebody's was calling me. That's why. So, I got distracted. But the superintendent got to see how serious that exam is. And if you
020pass that, by the way, you don't have to pay tuition. So, that that was really big. But it was nice like the superintendent said to see people like Nicholas Ardent. I think that Mr. Beach met him too when we came out of the Reich, which is like the House of Representatives in uh Berlin, Germany. and he he walked around with us and he talked to superintendent about his experience and like Mr. Beach said a lot of those kids that come out here, you know, they they're really shell shocked when they see how much space we have. And I think that the superintendent now appreciates having open space after having been in Germany and and France and seeing how we don't have the kind of space in a even in a in the places we stayed
021like you do in the United States. But it was a really enriching experience and like he said we got to see Romney Hlet who was a validictorian 1998 validictorian and she's done a really great job of of uh I mean she got her she she did a good job of studying out there not only got her masters but she got her PhD in Germany and so you can just imagine with that how challenging that must have been doing all of that in the German language and so she's been very successful and now works for a biofarmaceutical company and has moved to Frankfurt and she's just doing really well and I'm sure a lot of you maybe uh maybe several of you remember her from the past. I'm not sure, but she's just a great kid.
022And and uh also Notoaya, he's no pushover. He was always a bright kid. He was he's he graduated, by the way, in the class of 2010. And he was always a really bright kid. Was, you know, took AP classes and so forth. So, I was impressed at how he had improved his German skills. You wouldn't believe the phrases he used and all. But um all in all, I mean I could just go on and on, but all in all, I think it was really great how the superintendent got to see how the schools run over there. And you know, God bless him, he was asking good questions over there and trying to understand how the system worked. But I'll tell you, even if Mr. Verdugo doesn't remember everything, I think just the fact that it
023changes your perspective, it makes you see a different culture. Like Mr. beach had mentioned several of you and it changes your frame of mind. I think that that was invaluable and also learning how Germans really can move people around and through mass transportation. They're really something else. So, but it was a really enriching experience and I was so proud to have the superintendent there and I'll tell you he was my my lucky charm because he really was I I you can ask Mr. beach. How many times we had delayed trains and all kinds of interesting things that went on. I swear I never was on a trip where everything just worked like clockwork. There wasn't one late train. Everything was on time and the weather was gorgeous. We didn't have those blazing hot days that
024Mr. Beach remembers. We had just cool days and it was a little rainy but hardly anything to speak of. We didn't even have to put a boncho on, you know, not one time. And so it was great. He was good luck charm and I'm I'm so happy that he went and um and I want to thank him publicly for all that he did and his wife to help my group because it went smooth as silk. Thank you. >> You Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All righty. Moving on. Uh information, discussion, actions. Uh the fiscal fiscal year 27 proposed budget. Uh Mr. Verdugal. >> Thank you. This is our um first uh draft of our proposed budget for fiscal year 27. Um, I know that we reviewed most of it. What you'll see is just
025kind of a followup, um, including the the forms, um, which are still not out, I believe. Um, so we'll come back in August with the the change. Um, but this will give you an idea of of because by statute, we need to to approve our turn over to Miss Brown. >> Thank you, Mr. Verdugo. Good evening, Madam President, members of the board. Mr. Verdugo mentioned um tonight it's just formalizing all of the discussions around our budget that we've been having for the last months, right? We started those discussions internally with our principles and our department heads um late November, early December. We worked throughout the spring and those discussions and we came to you uh requesting approvals obviously for salary increases which we'll highlight here in a minute. Uh but tonight is it's all about
026just formalizing um and putting all the numbers and all the initiatives that we've been discussing into the state forms. Um unfortunately the state legislature did not adjourn into the content and um so the forms that you have in front of you are preliminary forms and they captured um certain elements that are not going to change when I come to you. make it the third year in a row that the legislature approves that those amounts for us. Nonetheless, they're not part of tonight's um forms, but I I said I will incorporate them in the first revision of the year. Um with that being said, what we do have um in tonight's forms like I said is a 2% decrease on the first student amount and also I want to remind the board that my projected enrollment
027which is the foundation of how we build their budget is at 3,289 as I presented when I did the budget presentation that is capturing a or projecting a drop of 176 uh students and every Friday I work I wait when comes out from the welcome center And that's the enrollment update for the week. So every Friday I'm like where are we? So as of last Friday we were at 37 students. Okay. So we are 52 students short of what I'm projecting for the year. Yeah, we still have time and it's it's amazing to see um the community just starts thinking schools and back to school and >> um after the 4th of July. >> Oh yeah, >> it's very quiet right now. Nobody wants to think about schools. We think everyone [laughter] >> Skip that
028area. But then we should start to see some movement. um at like I said usually after the 4th of July. Okay. So, welcome to tracker enrollment. >> Just real quick before we we leave that um just wanted to to acknowledge that with the with the board um to make sure that they understand because it's a big issue across not only the state but across the country with declining enrollment. And one of the things that you're seeing with schools having to close or large deficits in budgets >> is because they didn't rightsize throughout the process. And so I just wanted to to highlight that as we uh formalize our budget. Thank Miss Brown for for that that we've been able to rightsize every year. So every year when we come to you, we're saying, "Okay, this
029is what we have. This is what we're projecting and we rightsize." And so we make sure that we live within our budget and what our projected budget is. Um, so if you talk about if we um there's been years where we've exceeded what we projected, which is great, and then we can add that money back to our our our carryover. >> Um, and so it's it's something that's very important for us to make sure that we're on that that tight budget um but still meeting all the needs of every student, every staff member um in our community to make sure that we're providing the best education we possibly can. Uh because again what I I always see across people always ask me everywhere I go you know how's your budget how how are you guys
030able to to give a raise because again many districts were not able to give a and it's because we live within our budget we don't exceed we we make sure we rightize every year we look at what our um essentials are what is going to be our priority and then we we fund that and I thank the board for the support of doing that as well but again it goes back to to Miss Brown and and always being prepared to uh make sure that we're looking ahead versus trying to play catch-up because I think that's what some of these districts unfortunately are doing and then you see that they end up having to close schools or um let people go. I mean, I just saw like in it's not not affected us in our state,
031but Chicago, you know, is is um letting go of like 2,000 teachers. I mean, it's so I think we need to have uh we're hiring >> send something to Chicago that we we're hiring over here. uh because >> because it's it's happening everywhere, you know, and and it's something that again [clears throat] we are just very fortunate to make sure that we're budgeting the right way. So, thank you. >> Thank you. And and I echo what Mr. Villo said. Thank you to the board. Thank you to the leadership. um we're they support the recommendation, right, to to make sure that we live and we make our operation successful within our means and that we're not overextending ourselves with the commitments that we make. And that's something that we've done I think we have not only
032done but have accomplished throughout the years that our compensation package and something that we can sustain. we, you know, do not give a salary increase, then we have to then the following year scratch our head and determine how we're going to sustain that for something away from them, which is is just give and take. We try to make that compensation package something that we can sustain for the years to come for our staff. And I think that as a result of that, we're starting to see that teachers are staying with us, right? Um and yes, we have turnovers, you know, not only across the state, but also a problem that's a nationwide dilemma with educators. But we have in our in our state what it's called, the teacher experience index. And the teacher experience index,
033it's a measure that it's it's pulled based on a report that HR works on um diligently for weeks in the fall. Right, Kim? And it gathers a lot of information about all of our educators in our payroll, right? Years of experience, their education, etc., etc. There are so much information that goes to the state, right? Then the state analyzes the information and generates what is called the teacher experience index that if the average of the the teacher experience that's in our district exceeds the states average then we get a bump um an increase that we get to factor into our budget. Right? So in our case the teacher experience index for next year it's at 1.0167 167 a little bit higher than one. And what it does, it gives us a little bit more money
034because it's supposed to be recognizing that the more experienced staff that you have on payroll, the more expensive it's going to be, right? >> So that's what that indicates. But to me, I've always been reading it as a retention tool. You know, are we retaining teachers? If we weren't then our T high would be at one you know and that's the lowest that it can go but we would not be getting any kind of adjustment. So I do want to highlight that what we are doing the measures that you have been approving and are working and um I think that our teachers are feeling valued in our district and is starting to show through that teacher experience index. That's the way that I'm reading the TI, not just as an add-on to the budget. Um,
035another thing that is part of tonight's budget that's not going to change when I come back to you in August is a 9% over, right? Our community um approved the 9% override for our district and that is calculated for this coming year at 2,89,9. So that is that add-on that we get to >> back to our general fund or as a result of the support that we get from our community. >> Um and in July I'll come to you with the recommended tax rates and then we'll discuss the cost associated with that. Right. I do not have that information with me today but it'll be it's always part of a board meeting where we adopt the budget. Um, on the other hand, the amount that we received per student in the capital fund is static.
036It has not changed, right? Um, the state is giving us, like I said, that one-time add-on that I'll be factoring in later, but as far as the amount that we receive per student for capital dollars, that has not changed in 24 years. So from preschool to 8th grade we receive $54945 and for high school students we receive $6006 per student. That's how much capital we get. Um, so just I want to go a little show highlights of what the budget that we're looking at tonight is funding and I'm going to concentrate on our operating fund and I'm going to concentrate on our compensation plan because that in itself remember that salaries and benefits make up over 80% of your so for next year we're looking at providing a for us and these are all actions
037that have been already taken care of by you approving them in previous agendas. um a 4% increase to all eligible employees, a 2% adjustment to the certified place in kind. Um we are funding um we will be able to do a four plus 6% decrease medical insurance >> and 5% increase in dental insurance. We reclassified and this was the big item for the next yearly rate for bus drivers to bring them to market. Um we reclassified um two positions, a student activities technician to a specialist, and we reclassify the accounting specialist to accounting coordinator. Uh staffing changes at Rico High School. Uh and this is where the the right sizing starts to take place, right? Um we removed 1.3334 room teachers due to enrollment adjustments that we're projecting for the high school. We are adding
038one additional assistant track coach. We are adding one additional lead lifeguard position. Mr. Beach mentioned the fantastic program that we have um the pool. Um and it is becoming more and more popular every summer. You can see [clears throat] see the numbers which is great. Um we have new assistant to the principal position at Rico High School and we have a reclassification of CTE office specialist to secretary. Those are the changes that are coming to Rico High School. Moving on to Calabasas. Skealas we are um doing a reduction of two classroom teachers due to enrollment uh the position of behavioral coach the length of the contract was modified to add 15 additional days to the department of teaching learning and assessing the secretary position was reduced um with attrition because um Miss Han is retiring
039and the diaries are being absorbed by school. Um, in student services, we are adding one additional self-contained teacher. We're also adding five 5,000 stipens for speech language pologists in an effort to entice um those um speech pologists to come directly with us instead of through agencies. Um, in my department, u my food service office specialist is retiring and that position is not being replaced. Instead, one of my accounts payable position is going to be absorbing those responsibilities. Um, in transportation, we created a new driver and training position and we have like always a set aside of one teaching position in case of any. So, that's the staffing. As far as allocations to the departments and the schools, in the athletics department, we did a $25,000 one-time additional allocation for the striping and sanitizing of the
040track. So, we have all this beautiful brand new facilities. Now, we'll start maintaining those brand new facilities. For the communication office, we increase Audra's budget by $10,000. And this is for the rebranding that comes as a result of the plan >> strategic plan that was presented by Megan. It came with the new remember changes to to the educate everyone every day and so that all that is going >> rebranding. >> The rebranding rebranding rebranding. Yeah. Uhu. >> Rebranding some advertising and professional development office. >> The office of the superintendent received a $2,000 increase for professional development and the budget for the governing board received a 9,100 increase for professional development. As far as operating expenses, we are increasing our utilities um to account for new square footage every Rico High School. We're also increasing our
041liability insurance for renewal adjustments due to the new square footage. >> Oh yeah, that's right. >> And we're doing a 3.4% increase in the cost of the contract that was approved uh for um maintenance custodial grounds. So that are the highlights of our operating fund. On the other hand, our capital fund, which is the fund that we use to pay for items such as textbooks, instructional aids, library books, furniture and equipment, technology, hardware, software, facilities, and vehicles. Um, the allocations are as follow. At the at the top, we have the curricular rotation and instructional aids with over $800,000. Then we have uh technology and copier rotations network licensing and set aside for technology replacements at 33,000 aesthetics at 515,000 facilities at 47,000 transportation at 83,000 allocation for furniture and equipment business office and HR software
042renewals 96,000 student services equipment and software renewals 39 9,000 communication equipment and software renewals 30,000 fine arts equipment and uniforms 25,000 and we keep in contingency 1.7 million with >> so we still have >> and in the operating fund as well we keep in both funds in capital and in Mino we keep contingency involved >> before we leave that as well just with with the technology um it's also including uh the phased in um new interactive boards uh that will be uh utilized by teaching staff. I know Mr. Beach was uh really had a lot of questions about that and revisited classrooms with those that that had and and those that haven't. >> And so uh we're phasing that in. If you remember, we we discussed that during the budget process. And I think um
043the reason I want to talk about that as well is because many districts because of their financial constraints um move capital funding into one-time use for uh staffing salaries and so forth. And we've never done that. And I every time we go to the budget, I I want to make sure we highlight that because I think that's also an important piece of retaining teachers and staff because then we can do things like buying these interactive boards as well as maintaining high quality textbooks or um text curriculum materials for our students because there are some districts that have not renewed their materials in over 20 25 years. And so that is something that we're very proud of. I'm gonna again it all goes back to tightening your budget, making sure you're using the funding in the
044right place and so that's something that we we've always done and I just want to make sure that the board sees that and the community understands that as well. >> Absolutely. Thank you, Mr. Redu. I every time we come to a board meeting and and the board has done a tremendous job of having groups that that come to the board and are being recognized. I won't forget the little girl that said, "We have a lot of reading materials." >> Yes. Yes. Those are a lot of things that >> oh yeah smile behind the scenes. >> Um on the other hand the special projects and other grants those are still um pending right we have not received final allocations from the state or the feds um so they will capture the final amounts in our grants
045um the budget revision hopefully will be funding. We are not expecting any significant changes in that area. I can tell you that um not like the scare that we were having last year this time of the year where you're not going to get federal money and medicine. No, we're not >> getting any of those messages this year. So, we're expecting to have a very stable um funding um force in the area of grants. yesterday. >> I'll have final numbers for you when it >> So, just to summarize the proposed budgets for major funds for operating fund, we're looking at $43.6 million. Um, as part of that 43.6 6 million. It includes um the 2,89,970 in our nino override to our community and it also by highlighted the contingency of $4 million that we have in
046that fund. On the other hand, in our capital fund, we have 4 million 3,607 and as I mentioned within that fund, we have a contingency of 1.7. >> Are there any questions? Um, any questions, Miss Delino? >> Thank you, Miss Marquez. Uh, no, I do not have any questions. I I do, however, want to say, and I know I say this on behalf of my fellow um board members, we were at this uh conference that we attended in Flagstaff and it's exactly what they were talking about to the one session that we attended. I know you spoke a little bit about it at the last meeting >> where the enrollment is declining and it is affecting and it's just statewide >> and we even had this one superintendent uh give us a long presentation what
047all all they had to do to close a a school >> and how it affected you know the staff you know cutting the teachers and everything. So yes we do see all the hard work that you and your student were doing the fact that we don't have to go through any of that you know just makes us like, you know, really really happy. So, thank you. Thank you for all you do. >> Thank you very much. If I may add, I was at the at the board meeting with the trust last week. >> I think it was last week. And um one thing that looks out of whack and you can see it when districts do not bright size >> the trust is ensuring more assets statewide now that we have less students in the
048history of the state and it's like why >> so it's it's about how we're using our resources about really using the resources that we have and evaluating the resources that we have, how we're using them, and are we using them to its maximum potential um because it just doesn't make sense. >> It just doesn't make sense from a lot of different angles. It doesn't make sense, >> right? >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Thank you, Mr. Beach. >> Yeah. you know, going back to the conference where uh not only high schools, we're now competing with the charter schools, but we sort of know the numbers that go to the charter schools. I think the one that threw the monkey wrench is uh the homeschooled kids that are now it went from like a million-doll program to almost unsustainable
049right now. And a lot of our monies are going there. Hopefully the state can address that. But, uh, yeah, I want to thank our community on these overrides because the millions of dollars that, uh, are brought into our coffers, uh, allows our students all these opportunities with all our beautiful shade structures, swimming pools, weight rooms, classrooms, smartboards. You know, if it wasn't for being that supportive, uh, we wouldn't have a lot of that. So, appreciate it. >> Exactly. >> Thank you, Mr. Ramirez. >> I have no questions then. Thank you, Isella, for all that you do. >> Uhhuh. Then thank you. Thank you. I don't have any questions either. I just also the same thing that like Miss Miss Aliva said, you know, you when you go to these conferences and you see the struggles
050that the other schools have and you're like, "Oh my god, you know, we're not we're not there." And thank God. And it has to do a lot with you, you know, excuse me, with your excuse me, always being always being prepared, always seeing ahead, always seeing always, you know, like buckling your belt, you know, in in in some cases like something I have something. Oh, excuse me. [laughter] Excuse me. I got excited. Sorry about that. [clears throat] But um but that has a lot to do with it, you know, because we really don't see what's going on around us. We hear it, but once you see it there and you see how the people are struggling and you're like, "Oh my god, thank God that we don't do that because, you know, we have those
051$4 million or those, you know, that, you know, four in one and four in another." And all of these people are, you know, they're grabbing from places that they don't even have it. And you know and we're lucky because of that you know and we're lucky because you guys are always prepared you guys always have that and I keep saying it all the time also that vision okay what might happen you know might what might be done and how are we going to survive you know and how are we going to move on without having to cut you know something that's already in place. Okay. So, thank you so much for the magnificent job that you guys do. Thank you very very much, >> president. And thank you for for your kind words, but it
052happened without us. >> Yeah. And I it is because we're all a good team. We're all a team and we're all in it for the same reason. So, you know, that's that's the way it is, right? >> And it is a motion item. So, the >> All righty. So, yes, >> post budget as presented. Do we have a motion? >> Motion to approve the fiscal year 2026 2027 proposed budget as presented by Mrs. Brown, chief financial officer. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. All those opposed? Nay. >> Mr. Ramirez. >> I Okay. Uh um motion passes. >> Oh my god. I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. And I have Miss Brown. >> Thank you, Miss Brown. Thank you very very much for the presentation. Uh, moving on. Uh,
053202526 superintendent performance base pay goals uh determination. Mr. Verdugo, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, I'm good. [laughter] I have a I have a I have a string right here. >> Take a recess or >> No, I'm good. I I hope I don't I don't um [clears throat] bother you when you're talking. >> You would never bother me. >> Thank you. Love you. [laughter] >> So, uh tonight is the annual every June our last meeting is my presentation what we've it's my performance. It's it's kind of what we've done as a team. Um, and so I always wanted to start first by by thanking Ford for having faith in me to allow me to continue to be the superintendent of the school district. Now, uh, finishing 12 years, which is I know makes me, as I say,
054unicorn in the the super [laughter] um, having been able to to do this, it seems like, uh, first time getting to do this. This is the 12th time doing this presentation. Um it just is amazing. Uh to again just thank the board, the staff, teachers, and the community for allowing me to to be the the superintendent of the school district because it's something that I'm very proud of. Um I think the board knows that every time I go out um anywhere I get to that our district that that are involved in in how we run our our district and by perfect example was had to meet with a parent for a negative thing. Um but at the end the conversation was was very positive and she said um to me I just want you to
055know that I tell everybody that if you're kids are not successful every year we go it's because it's their their fault because they have so many opportunities to do amazing things all the way from elementary to high school that there is no excuse for them not to be successful. And I was like well that's great to to hear it. I hope you go and share that every like I do. She's like every barbecue, everything. She's like I I tell everybody about that. And to me, that's a message that I hope continues to get out because I think our district is continually um improving and always trying to to be better. So, with that, that kind of goes into uh the presentation. Um, I've tried to incorporate uh the the new I want to thank Meg
056uh Leah and the team uh that worked on our new strategic plan. So I tried to incorporate all of the the as well. Um and so you know the that the dream earned lead now is um and hopefully will be embedded into all of our work uh because it's it's something that I know that that team worked really hard to do uh including the the the mission and vision. So the vision, every student is empowered to dream boldly, lead with purpose, make a positive impact in their community, in the world. And that's something um as a superintendent that um I was very happy to be part of that that team to develop this, but it's something that I think our community just having that vision that our community can do anything. um you know I
057talk about that that trip that I got to see um European education and the things and the opportunity that they have but it still comes back to the the US system I think is still the best in the in the world for us to be able to provide for every student. Um and every student in our community has the opportunity to do something and be whatever they want to be. Um so that that vision is is very important for me. uh mission again we create uh safe and inclusive learning environments where every student is inspired to learn challenged that's one thing as as you see when I talk about my performance that uh we want to make sure that we continue to hold ourselves accountable in everything we do and push our students to excel
058and not settle for things I think that that's one of the things that you know which is amazing to me but this is also year 20 for me within the district When I first came to the district, I I laughed because um one of the the people that were hiring me at the time said, "Oh, here it'll be a stepping stone." And I said, "Well, I'm here 20 years and that person is gone." So, um so I'm very proud that that this is is my community and I've been so uh such a big part of it for for so long. Um but it also comes with the responsibility of us trying to be the best we can be and continually trying to be the best that we can be. Thanks. Please. And then we also
059adjusted our our values. Um this this last year before I get into the the accountability part of this um one of our our values is accountability. Um and it's holding ourselves and others to that that high standard. And you know I I always talk about when I was a principal and I had such a a great staff and I'm as a superintendent in the same way had such a great staff. Um, but I always tell people that I I have people like Miss Vosquez who was, you know, that that person on campus. I didn't have to discipline others because they were disciplining themselves. Um, and so it made me look like a great uh principal because they were always taking care of each other and and this is the way we do things. This is
060our standard and I think we continue to do that in our district. Um, we still have a lot of work to do, but part of our values is that accountability and making sure that we continue to hold ourselves accountable, including me. And, and I always tell people, if you see me not meeting the expectation or meeting the standard, you need to tell me. Um, and so that's one of the things that I will share tonight. And the reason I bring it up is because that's what part of what tonight is about as well is is holding me accountable for making sure that not only are we saying we're doing these things, but that there is verification that we're actually doing these things. Um, please [clears throat] this is uh continuation of our our our values
061with the the the new ones. Um, I know we we removed uh competitiveness with resilience. Yeah. Um, but that's still it goes together because I again want all of our our students and staff and everybody within our our community uh to embrace that challenge and and know we can do hard things and not only know we can do hard things but enjoy doing hard things because I think that's our culture. I think that's what we want to do. We want to be the best that we can be. Next. So the first goal um and I just wanted to to introduce those things and how they kind of flow into um what holds me responsible and what we're trying to do within the district. Um the first one is is student achievement and accountability. Um and
062the thing that I would say um our assessment data for this year has come back um and we're um up and down in some of the the school but one thing that we have really improved in is our zela scores. Um and we're hoping that that will have an impact on the letter grades and get some of our our school sites up to an A. Um we were very fortunate this last year every school was a B and so our district was a B. Um but again we don't settle. We want to be an A in everything that we do. We want to be the best that we can be. Um and so last year again, um we had some A B's and A B and C. This last or the year before this last
063year, we were all B's. So hopefully we'll get some of those uh school sites up to an A. Um but we'll come back with those data presentations in the fall. Um, but again, this is one of the basis of what we do as a school district. Um, with our personalized learning, standardsbased grading, all of those different things that we push our students to to do to be successful. Um, and you'll you'll hear me talk about our build enrollment and other things that fall into that. But how are we graded? Our letter grade, that's what the state and and we know there's a lot of components that go into that. Um and so tonight um you know as we talk about the letter grades and student achievement um we're doing well but we can do better
064and that's what I always say we're always next slide please. [clears throat] Other student achievement accomplishments of note again the onetoone technology continues but I wanted to share with the board uh because one of the things that that we've talked about with the board is that's something that we want to continue to have screen time. you know, how are we utilizing technology? Do we want teachers to have more of the tools like Mr. Beach was talking about with interactive boards versus the student on the screen? Um, because there's a lot of studies of of countries that are moving away from onetoone. So, the team is looking at that. Um, and what impact does that have >> not only from instruction, but financially, you know, is that because we're could be seeing a cliff coming pretty
065soon with investment dollars in technology. >> So, we're reviewing that. Um and uh Megan the TA office has worked with the principal and done an outstanding job. Um and we'll come back in the fall and discuss that with the board as well what that what their findings have been so far and what the recommendations are uh for the school sites and how that impacts us. But we do continue to have state-of-the-art technology for our students and our our staff. And so that's something that um is a positive, but also we want to make sure that we're using it the right way. Um again we piloted into Smartboard to LJ and we'll we'll be phasing that in this year for 2627. Uh dual enrollment continues to be a positive uh for our district. Um the the
066concern is now P Community College is asking the possibility of uh funds for that uh charging fees and we're working with them uh because we know it's we're one of the probably districts that would be most impacted. Um and so we're exploring other partners um because they're not the only game. Um there is other partners that we're exploring to make sure that we're providing the best dual enrollment opportunities for our students and they know that. Um but it is something that has had a very positive impact within our our district and students and we're still pursuing uh by the time that I retire and that's one thing I'd also say uh this uh tonight begins my my last uh you know relapse uh to present um because um after tonight then I will present three
067more times um and and then retire off into the sunset but um but before that there [clears throat] is a lot of work to get done. There is a lot of things that I want to make sure we accomplish um or set up whoever comes in to be even more successful than me and then you forget about me. And so uh so by 2029 we want to have our students graduating with associates degrees. We do have students graduating with 30 plus 24 plus credits but not that associates degree which we want them. So that's a enrollment goal that we have as well. um in the continuation the middle school is now seeing additional opportunities um initial history English algebra geometry and so we're we're implementing a lot of things that are successful and as I
068mentioned at the beginning like that parent said there is just so much opportunity um and I did put in here and I and I and I as I'm thinking about it now one thing I also wanted to mention that I should have put in here was our fine arts we are one of the the only districts that continues to provide fine arts opportunities for our students. Um, you know, and you see the the artworks that this year we brought in so many samples of our artwork, uh, the dance program, you know, the the theater program, all the the different art things that we're able to do, and that goes with financial support and been able to make sure that our students are supported not only in athletics and and those, but also CTE programs as
069well as the fine arts. and the fine artists has has done an outstanding job. Um, and when we roll out the strategic plan as well, uh, their work with film and TV, you know, doing th the the video and and, uh, voiceovers and things that that, you know, that was all student driven. So, you know, we have a lot of opportunity for our students and and I neglected to put that in here as well. Um, and one of the things that I love to to always go and and talk about, um, although last year was the first time that we had dropped under that that 80, we had 89.9, we were still technically 90% graduation rate. Um, we're back up to 94%. So, uh, that's something that is is important for us. But again, we
070always want to get to 100%. Next. Um, and then again, the things that we do to make sure that we're getting out to the the school sites, making sure that we're following a process. Um, over the 12 years, we've continued to highlight our process, make sure that it's something that our our leadership is part of, the board is part of. um with our IEPs, presenting that to the board, getting your input, getting feedback, um talking with all of the the departments all the way from our our budgeting, starting um even earlier this year, you know, starting um all the way back in December um with our budget because we want to give our staff a voice and not only what we see as a vision, but what do they see as a vision and how
071to be able to use their funds at their school site to make them successful. Um the last two things I highlighted there is something again I want to thank the board u again holding me accountable making sure I think there was this question that I was not visiting the sites as much and so we we said hey let's let's schedule some time and we visit the sites um so I think and we called it the you know the the the lunch and learn you know we visit the sites and we learn what's happening on the campus um we met with students met with staff members I think that's been invaluable for the board but also for me as well to to hear what's happening directly from staff, directly from students. Um, and so that's something
072that that very proud of that we've been able to implement. And then the last thing and again uh just a shout out to to Miss Mia uh Meg for all of her work in that team, the work planning committee because um that's something I know that leadership academy which I was in Germany I didn't get the chance to to see the roll out there but we are rolling it out to the the district this summer. as well as at the wall and back [clears throat] throughout the year and it's something that is our next step. It's our next fiveyear plan um to how are we going to continue to grow as a district. Next, so uh with all those things um based on the academic performance um my recommendation is that I approached the the
073goal. Um, I would love to say I met the goal, but without getting to an A, I I just cannot uh again hold myself accountable for those. Um, so I say I approach that goal. So, any questions about that first goal? >> Ma, any questions? >> No, no, Mr. No, no questions. But I >> I know you you you you have uh very hard expectations on yourself >> upon yourself. >> Yeah. Upon that you yourself. So that's what keeps you from from uh meeting it. But >> okay, thank you Mr. Mr. I have no >> Mr. Ramirez. I have no question. >> Okay. I'm [clears throat] kind of like where Miss uh where Miss Deariva is as well because I think that you know you've worked really hard and like like she says you know
074you're very you're very tough on yourself and I know that you know even though we would I would recommend that you put meats and I know that you won't do it but and I thank you for you know for being that way because that keeps us you know fighting you know the same thing because we're all in it like I've always said we're all in it together and u and We want you to be, you know, up there as, you know, meets your exceeds and all that stuff. But, you know, but thank you for everything that you do. I mean, yes, we are more visible. We are more involved in the schools. We we, you know, the everybody knows us. The even the little kids, you know, the people that I mean, I know that
075all of the kids from like, you know, from that we taught or that are from the schools or whatever, they see you out downtown and they meet you. Now, I've got people from Sayatano. I got kids from, you know, from other schools that know exactly who I am, you know, and that that means a lot to me said because they've noticed that I that we've been there, that we're we're present there. We're, you know, we're we're we're being informed. We're being, you know, we ask those tough questions. We, you know, we try to, you know, to to to do the the best for them and stuff. And and I think that's, you know, that's where you're at, too. So, you know, thank you very much for everything that you do. And >> thank you And
076and again, it's it's something that um you know, this is always the of the four goals, this is always the the hardest one for me because I just have such high expectations for where we need to be. And um I think I've met it one time when we were an a district and so I accepted that. But at this point, until we're in a process for >> when we will be when we will be >> when we will be. >> Thank you. the the the next goal is is the high quality staff and that's something that uh Mr. Brown was talking about. One of the things that um if you look at the budget, one of the things that I'm very happy uh to see is, you know, we have to post it on our
077website is the average salary of our our teachers and that is now $60,000. >> Exactly. >> Um so which is a positive. That's >> very positive. >> Over $2,000 from the previous year. Um, and so, you know, really working on giving them as much as we possibly can responsible. That's one of our our main priorities is making sure staff are compensated um and supported. Um, so again, we work together uh for that collaboration, one of our values um to to make sure that we're working together uh to meet the goals of our students and and the collective success of the district. Next slide, please. So what are we doing to um have high voice as well? Um she has done an outsane job in her first year coming uh figuring out HR um how to
078really find new staff member and new teachers. Um, one of the the things that I would say has been a positive of the negative that's happening across the state with schools closing is we're seeing a lot more applicants, which is a positive thing. And I think that yeah, it's it's unfortunately or a negative reason, but it's a positive for us that we're able to have u interview process, you know, and not not just go try to find one person, but having multiple applicants for positions and been able to select who we think is best versus just trying to fill a spot. Um, and so that's something that that we're happy to to see. Um, again, one of the things that I I also share with with community members, um, is continue the support of the
079board for hiring retirees or or getting people to retire and come back. uh because again that's been a big incentive for uh community members even from neighboring districts to to come to us uh because of the board support for allowing us not only to hire them but hire them with experience and then also to pay the um ARS the retirement system um and so they don't have to pay that that penalty. So um it's something that has been very positive in uh not only recruiting teachers but retaining teachers as well. uh the longevity stipen uh again HR working on um onboarding with the online recruiting electronic um and 4% pay raise that is something that um very positive um all the staff member I've talked to continue to say thank you because they keep hearing
080their colleagues across the state not getting raises um or getting just the the 2% uh cost of inflation um if they were able to and so And that very important for us to have um continue to work provide insurance coverage. We're always looking at that. Um I think it's been positive um having IMS. I think we're seeing more and more usage of that individuals going across the line because of our proximity and that's not only saving them money but saving the district money um and hopefully in the long term. And so that's something that again having that as part of our um incentives as well has been really positive. Um, and then going back to our to Karen in our grow your own model, we've been really working and I appreciate her and Brandy and
081the CLA office working on how can we continue to to hire teachers, get new staff, quality people um, in different areas including leadership um, professional development opportunities for both certified and classified. Um, and then the one thing that I always say in the board probably hears it from any teacher that they see, class size. You know, our class size continue to be some of the smallest across not only southern Arizona but the entire state. Um, if you look at at numbers across districts, um, our class size continue to be some of the smallest. Next. So, based on on that and all that we're doing uh with that and and how we've been able to retain improve increase our our compensation for staff members. Um I put that I met that goal. So, >> any questions?
082>> Mr. Mr. >> I have no >> Mr. Ramirez. >> I have none. Thank you. >> And I have none either. I think you Thank you. [laughter] Next one. Uh, three is is the the school climate and what we're doing as a district to to make sure that our schools are safe, vibrant. Um, I think uh again commend the board for ending um our relationship with our previous facilities company and looking for a new one that because they were not meeting our expectations. And I think that the new one has has done a better job of maintaining our facilities and and working towards what we expect. Um and so you know that's been a positive. Um again as I mentioned earlier the field house completion weight equipment finally went with complete a year later. Um
083you know and I was looking at this the presentation and reviewing and I was like I had the same comment last year. >> Yeah. >> But it took a year there was a lot of complications with ordering equipment and other things. Um but it'll finally uh be done and we're looking forward to to opening that up and again having the community use uh swimming pool, other site modifications, learning spaces, playgrounds, the uh the paint, the weatherization, cow assets um and they're working um uh on the drainage issue and of course uh there's been complications uh which you know again being the principal there what we did the that we spent a few million dollars uh when I was principal trying to correct that and there was complications then um and now again complications and so
084hopefully it'll be done by the end of the summer that's the the plan but of course we'll have a contingency plan in case there's things that that happen but those are things that um you know want to thank um Dr. Miss Brown working with SB to make sure that we get all of those things taken care of in our facilities. Um and then you know the all district welcome back continues to grow. Um we actually have a meeting tomorrow to to prep for that as well. Um and also part of the gym uh facility where hopefully we have a video board instead of having to rent something. We'll hopefully have our own video board now on the wall that will be there permanently that will be large enough to to see will save us some
085money from our annual welcome back as well. >> Cool. Great. >> The school climate um expanding opportunities for students uh the CT programs uh getting our bill enrollment u elementary science um them classes adding technology uh counseling at every school site. Um again value all the stakeholders in the district you know with IBB hearing what they have to say all the different um avenues for providing voice including us going in at the board and myself meeting with the teachers and and students um and discipline. Uh again commend the board for taking a harder line not saying hey we need to to look at our discipline and how are we doing. Um that's improved at the school sites. um it still needs improvement. We'll be coming back um in July uh reviewing dress code again just
086to make sure it's where we want it to be. Um but those are are things that again having the partnership with the board staff and leadership has has really I think helped the district continue to move forward. Um and then the keyless entry and safety uh Robert has done a great job Dr. Lville with working on our cameras. We're adding additional cameras to make sure that we have some gaps that we had We're making sure that those gaps are covered and the keyless entry and different things that we've incorporated. >> Thanks. >> So again with all those um the climate I think is is very positive that it met the goal. Any questions on that? >> Ma Mr. Beach. No, I'll just say as a whole, you know, looking at our school with our dual
087enrollment, our JTED, our sports facility, club, CT, FFA, teacher sport, admin support, uh all the decisions that are are made. You include the students, our community, our teachers, our admin. Uh I was on that committee when we did the mission and vision statement and uh we got surveys from from everyone. So, a lot of what we do at our schools are not just driven by Mr. Verdugal. It's the whole community involved. And uh under your leadership, Dave, and your team, I think we're on the right path. You got a good vision. And just keep up what you're doing. You got a It's not where you start, it's where you finish. >> That's correct. Thank you. Uh Mr. Ramirez. >> Yeah. I just want to say I'm a big fan of dual enrollment. I've seen it
088grow. But I think one of the biggest challenges that dual enrollment faces is finding people that or being able to acquire people that have a master's degree because you can't have those courses, I believe, without having a master's degree. So, it's really tough because we have a shrinking pool of applicants >> and it's just it's tough. I think that's the biggest challenge to dual enrollment. But I love it because I'm a big fan of it and I think it provides our kids opportunity to get college credit. >> Thank you. I agree with Mr. M. One of the goals that hopefully, you know, will be put into place, you know, hopefully before you leave us anyway would be uh, you know, to get some of those teachers that have masters or our own teachers to come
089down so that we don't have to travel with our kids up to Tucson because, you know, that's kind of like a double-edged sword with that with our kids because there's so many kids. Yeah. Up to Tucson. >> JTE or JT? I don't know. >> Yeah, J. That doesn't that's not dual enrollment. >> No, that's not the dual enrollment. >> A little different. Yeah. >> Okay. It's a little different, but you know, >> yeah, but you know, but I thought that that was kind of like, you know, to get some of those teachers to come down and and give those kids classes here. I bet you that it would double or maybe even triple, you know, at at one point because there's a lot of kids that that don't do it because they want to play
090sports. And if you're doing something like that, you know, with Jed or with whatever, you know, your dual enrollment that you and you have to travel, it takes you away from, you know, the sports and the, you know, and the dramas and the cheerleadings and all of that stuff. And I think that if if there's an opportunity to bring in, you know, or to get teachers here with their masters and their, you know, and and and certified so that they can do that dual enrollment here. I think that would be, you know, a better thing. That's something that we're we're trying to be creative. We've um we've actually worked with with Karen as well to to do an an audit and inventory of all of our our staff. So, for instance, and I've had I
091think I mentioned before, like the possibility of having Miss Brown teach a business class >> because of her her master's ability >> and maybe possibly working with Puma to to have it be dual where it's adult education and student education in the evening, you know, and so working on some of those things, those logistics and trying to be creative with that. um and modifying possibly some of the schedule because we're not tied to the the hours any longer because we're able to to have um you know students figure out different times a day to go to school and teachers. So we need to get more creative and I think that's something that we'll be working on in the in the next year to to try to figure out how we can do that and utilize
092staff that we as Mr. said that already have masters maybe because I know we have elementary teachers that have master's degrees but they're teaching elementary and they can teach something at the high school level. >> The high school >> that may be a dual enrollment opportunity. >> That's what I was talking about. >> But again, that's the funding. We have to figure out the funding and >> Exactly. I get you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And then the final goal um is the community involvement which I think has been one of uh the strengths that that I've had as a superintendent because I think one of the very first things that uh was asked of me uh when I first was hired uh was to make sure that I'm involved not only community locally
093uh regionally but statewide and and nationally. Um and we've been able to do that um as a as a team uh to have um everybody be involved in different things from and Miss Brown was just again on the trust board you know um so Dr. with her uh safety consortium and all the different things that she's involved with um our principles um and all the things that that I'm involved with. Only thing that makes it [clears throat] difficult sometimes is that uh for whatever reason I keep getting placed in leadership positions within the these organizations. Uh for instance west I'm I'm the the current chair. Um and also I am now ams president-elect. >> So so that it's just uh and then continue to be on the AI executive board and other things. So, um,
094you know, really involved in a lot of different things that represent, um, our district, give our community a voice. Um, because as as Mr. B was talking about with our community, giving us a voice, I want to make sure that I represent our community on a statewide level and give ourselves a voice at the table when we have AIA things, um, you know, regional things with with West Ed and and things like that. So, it's been very important for us to to have, you know, the seat at the table. And so, that's something that we're very proud of that we've been able to to do. We annually look at this and say, okay, who is doing what? Um, for instance, Dr. Leno and I have been I think Dr. Leno is the longest currently on
095the first things first board. Um, and I'm the second longest on the first things first board. Um, and so trying to get replaced on that. Not that we don't appreciate that board, but it's again it's and we feel it's time for other people to step up and and take leadership roles and opportunity. Um so next slide please. Um again just all the different things that we're involved with from uh local community things as well as the statewide things. Um board members being involved um you know you guys are involved in things as well. Um and then very fortunate to be recognized this year. Um and then also I was notified by our aalis team that they nominated me for national superintendent of the >> Oh yeah. Yeah. >> Who knows what will happen with that
096but you know it is very humbled to be nominated for as well. >> Any questions on on that >> next feel that we met that we met that one? >> No questions. Mr. >> Questions Mr. Ramirez. No questions. >> Okay. Me neither. No questions. Everything I think you've done a fantastic job. So, all right. >> And then the summary there I think is the the last and again the board could choose whatever they like to do. This is just the what I felt based on u evidence that I've been able to to review throughout the the year. Uh that my recommendation is that I met three of the four goals. Um but again, this is just a recommendation. The board choose uh what they Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. So then do we
097have a we need a motion? >> It's a motion. Yes. >> Uh move to approve the 2025 2026 superintendent performancebased pay goals uh determination as presented and I believe the amount is 4484.50 >> second. >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. All those opposed nay. Eyes have it. Motion passes. Thank you very much. >> That one. >> All righty. We move on now to the outofstate travel. Uh Mr. Verdugo. >> Thank you. Um this was um an item that was removed from the consent agenda at the last board meeting. Um and so I just um I know that the the memo was presented. >> Um and so I didn't know if the the board had any additional questions. I know Mr. Lopez is is on um the call as well and Dr.
098will may have any may be able to answer questions from this item as well. >> Um, do I Mr. Ramirez or >> No, I think uh >> Mr. Ramirez >> I think we tabled it because uh Mr. Ramirez >> wasn't here and he'd like to say something on it. >> Uhhuh. >> Well, Mr. Ramirez. >> Mr. Ramirez. >> Yes. Um, I talked to the superintendent and we discussed my concerns and he answered all my questions and so I'm good to go. I'm on board. Thank you. >> Oh, okay. So, he's on board. Any other questions? Nobody. >> Okay. So, >> it's a motion. >> Do we motion that one? Okay. Do we have a motion, please? Motion to approve the out ofstate travel for the Gberto Lopez and Marine Alvarez to attend the international club
099tour training in Rome, Italy from February 13th through the 16th, 2027 with expenses covered by EF Educational Tours. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All right. All those opposed name. Eyes have it. Motion passes. Okay. Moving on. uh Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District policies possible. >> As well as um a policy for the book to back in July for discussion and possible board approval. >> Okay, moving on. Proposed and prioritized topics and possible dates and times for future board meetings. Mr. Verdugo. Um so the um it's come to my attention that July 14th is a travel day for >> members um to that will be attending ASPO. And so, um, the question is, um, if we would like to have a morning meeting that day, um, and
100just stick to, um, a hiring like a, you know, our typical, um, morning hiring meeting and then come back our second meeting of July. That might be a little more >> to adopt the budget. >> Yeah. Well, it could be that could still be part of that that meeting. >> It's part of that telephone. It's is it can be a telephone and and and just conduct u business that needs to be conded to be conducted. >> Um or the the recommendation would be to move it to Monday evening um and just have a regular meeting on Monday evening. >> It's up to the board. It's >> up to you. I think >> either way you Mr. Mr. >> Yeah, I think uh Monday works >> Monday night, Monday afternoon. >> Uh but I can call
101in. So Monday would work, but if you guys want to just hold the meeting as is and I'll just maybe works for you, Mr. Ramirez. Does Monday work for you? >> Does the morning prefer because we can do just a business meeting on Tuesday morning >> because we can do it on Tuesday morning? It depends on what you think. >> Yeah, that's good. >> I think Tuesday morning would be the my recommendation of of the differences and just hold uh that meeting to a business meeting and Okay. >> Are you okay, Mr. Lariva, with Tuesday? Are you okay with it being Tuesday morning? Sounds good. Mr. Ramirez, are you okay with it being Tuesday morning? Not on anymore. >> Can you hear me? >> Yeah. Must have got cut off there. >> Maybe it got
102cut off. Do we? >> We still have a quum. Okay. So then, uh, do we have a motion? >> We have to move. >> Yeah. A motion to to hold the board meeting Tuesday morning. >> Move to approve. Let's see. board meeting on Tuesday morning date on that >> July 14th >> at 8 a.m. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I not there anymore. Okay. I All those opposed. Nay. Eyes have it. Motion passes. We just need to let Mr. Ramirez know that we >> we'll put out we'll put out a notice community notice after this uh notifying the community and that it'll be um a business meeting budget. >> Okay. thing. >> All right. So, moving on. And the next one is which one? Is this this one? The proposed
103and prioritized topics. >> Yeah. Is it any any additional topics? >> Any topics? Okay. The dates and times for the future board meetings. Um, >> we did that. So, yes, just the future topics. Any additional items? >> Does anybody have any future topics? >> No. >> I have none either. Okay. Okay. Moving on. Uh, the consent agenda. Okay. Approval of the consent agenda. Any matter on the consent agenda will be removed from the consent agenda and discussed as regular agenda item or items upon the request of any board member. Mr. Laiva, do you have any questions? >> I do not. >> Not. Mr. >> I have no >> Mr. Ramirez. No, he's not there. I don't have anything. Okay. So then we move on. Do I have a motion? >> Motion to approve, accept, and
104ratify the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Okay. >> All those in favor say I. I >> I All those opposed, nay. Eyes have it. Motion passes. And we are done. Right. All righty. And we are done. And I adjourn this meeting at 6:23 p.m. >> Thank you very much. Thank you.