001We're good. >> Calling this meeting to order. Today is uh Tuesday, December 9th, 2025. Can we please stand for the pledge of 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. >> Roll call. >> Juan Castillo, president. >> Present. >> Lorena Gadio, clerk, >> present. >> Christina Clark, member. >> Present. >> Louisa Areola, member >> here. Glattis and I am members. We have a quorum. >> Thank you, Mary. Moving on to uh 2.1. Do do we have any comments from the audience? >> No, we do not. >> No comments from the audience. Thank you. Moving on to 2.2. SMS wrestling team. >> I should have said champs, right? >> Champs. Good evening members of
002the board, Mr. Don and Mrs. It is with great pride that we recognize the 2025 2026 SMS wrestling team along with coach Nunes, Coach Alonso, Coach Bolano for obtaining their fifth consecutive Yuma County title. Their dedication, determination, and teamwork truly reflect the excellence and pride of our school community and district. As the team advances to the state's competition next month, we are confident that they will continue to represent our school with Cobra Pride. We also extend our gratitude to all the parents and families present here tonight for their continued support throughout the season. Congratulations to the team and their coaches on this outstanding achievement. You make us proud, Cobras. >> AWESOME. >> Good afternoon. Um just want to add on that u we're very proud of all of you guys for representing Summerton and Summerton
003Middle School well. Um you guys are not only um demonstrating that in the mat but also demonstrating it across the school and and in all aspects of being um positive role models within the our campus but also academically shining um academically within our school. um our school from um last year to this year made a a huge jump in in our academics and it was greatly because of our students. Um so we know that um our our Cobras are are shining bright and it's just enhancing um the environment within the school um well-rounded um and athletes um activities, clubs and and extracurricular activities and we'll know that we'll we'll accomplish great things across Yuma County. And just like we are accomplishing these five titles, I'm sure that we eventually will get to be number one
004in the whole county as a school, right? Um so congratulations once again and parents um we we see you guys and in in in the games um in the matches um not only home and it gets full in that gym, but also on our away games. Um you guys are always following your kids all across. So we see the support u from all of you guys and and we're thankful for that. Um now um we're going to move on to recognitions. Um we um we did um aside from being principles, we are also Photoshop experts. So don't judge our photoshopping skills. Um but um we we created these um um recognition uh frames for you guys with with lots of love um with lots of um um I know the effort that you guys put
005in every every time you guys had those matches. Um and in a way we wanted to also represent that um through this little token of appreciation. All right. Um, so the first one up that we're going to be recognizing, um, we're going to ask you guys to come down to the table. We'll award you your frame and then board members, would you guys join us in the front so that, um, we can get a group picture at the end >> and then Cobra, you guys will wait for us at the front of um, the room. Um, so as you guys can see in the image, the first one up, it will be David Perez. All right. And the next one up iso as you're walking in compare. >> All right. and Monerat Gayos. She's not
006here, but we'll hold um her frame for her. And then we have Augugustine Sanchez. All right, Liam. Um I'm going to mess this one up. Blei. Joshua Pacheco. There he is. Sebastian Mendoza Jaden Anaya, >> Daniela Vafana, Ethan Almager, Juan Lonidas, Nunes, Monzerat, Dues, Juliana Sanchez, Grayson Davis, Anthony Annaya, Jonathan Beltran, Rita Rias, Jav Gutierrez and they chose their poses. It wasn't us. So you can see each of their characters within their pose. Aviana McKenzie. Adelina Reynoso, Alvaro Hernandez, Dylan Duran, Christopher Sto And then um we already passed but Sebastian Mendulsa. >> And now we want to also acknowledge and with the token of appreciation to our coaches. Um, so we're going to ask Coach Nunes, um, also to come up. >> Any words messing >> as they get ready for the tournament um, in
0072025, right? >> Yeah. >> 2026. There's a lot of work that goes on, you know, behind the closed doors. The kids do put a lot of work and uh I have no doubt that um they're going to do really good stuff at state. Uh if we just continue that trajectory of that commitment and that effort and consistency and that, you know, that is why they're so they excel at everything, not just like the athletics. you see that even in the high school, you know, that character carries on. We'll notice that the high school is doing really great. Um, we're probably one of the top five in our in our state with possible chance of winning it. But outside of that, every class we have like three at least three kids are in the top 10
008and two of those we're the top guys. So, it goes to say that uh their character, their foundation is not just in the wrestling, it's outside the community. real proud of them and hopefully we bring the state title back for both middle school and the high school. >> Thank you, coach. >> Our other two coaches, >> coaches say he couldn't make it, but really he was the head coach and I was trying to guide this. >> So, also big shout out to um Coach Alonso and then coach Polano. Cobraas, if you guys can move up to the front and gather around for a photo. Show five. Okay. Yes. >> For the five titles. One more. I felt >> I feel >> Yeah. So, uh, before you guys go, um, wrestling team, uh, before you guys
009go, we really want to thank you. We appreciate your hard work, your commitment, your dedication, uh, to the sport and to academics. Just kind of like, uh, your coach was mentioning that, uh, you know, that character does go a long ways. We, you represent Summerton very well, and, uh, we're we're lucky and blessed and fortunate to have you guys in in our district. Does >> Does anyone want to say anything? Mia, >> congratulations. You know, as everybody has mentioned, I'm sure that it it goes beyond the map and it shows your character. Always a cobra. When you go to the Toros, you will always be a Cobra as well. So, represent Summerton well. Represent who you are and what you will become. Thank you. And thank you for having there's a lot of girls. I
010haven't seen that many girls wrestle. And to see the coaches empowering the girls to get out there and wrestle against the the boys, that's something remarkable to see, especially here in our community. Thank you ladies. Thank you for going out there and being on that mat with the boys. Woo. And I just want to say I love the t-shirts. Those are awesome. The little slogan on the back. That's that's great. Thank you all so much for your perseverance and you know making Summerton shine. Coaches, parents, everybody. Thank you. >> I also would like to acknowledge the community passion for this sport and for this team. Uh you guys are the community pride and joy. So, continue to really represent us with pride. Uh, and I know it's going to it's going to be more than
011this. So, congratulations to all of you guys, coaches. You guys are doing an amazing job. So, thank you so much for everything. So, bring home the state. >> No pressure. >> We'll make sure to have a banner and everything ready so that years later you guys can come by to uh, you know, to to the campus and see your banners. So, Thank you guys. >> And it's up to you guys can stay and and see the end of the meeting or you guys can are are free to go. Thanks. So uh moving on to uh 3.1 uh report from uh Mr. Duron. >> Good evening everyone. Thank you everyone for being here. It's it's a pleasure like always. Uh there was a lot of uh great stuff happening this past few weeks, a lot of
012great recognition, a lot of great donations. Um I want to start with last Thursday noas last Friday we had Riadel and uh construction and associates uh in our district um donating 77 bikes and about 33 uh toys for our ESS students. And so it's it's a partnership that has been built. Uh it started big last year. It continued to be big this year and we're really excited for their contribution to our district. I want to acknowledge uh Maroncha was here representing for Miss uh Riadel and also the presence of Miss Areola with you know thank you for being here Mr. Castillo and Miss Clark for also being here and supporting this effort. So really really um appreciative of it and also the bikes have already been distributed to the schools and the schools are you
013know they have their plan on how to deliver those bikes. So that that was really great. Over the weekend there was a lot of movement. We couldn't keep track. There was several things that were happening and it was really exciting. Uh we started with our district uhwide color run. This is uh part of our you know safety and health program that we have. So, we have a couple of other sports lined up for the rest of the school year, but the first one was a color run and it was really fun. Miss Areola kept up with us. Hame, she run it with us and it was exciting. I've never been part of a color run. I know it's it's weird because they're so popular, but it was so much fun. Honestly, uh we had about
014a hundred participants uh between students and parents and as we were running it, we were already thinking about how is it going to be better for the next school year. So, we're really excited about it. Also, the same day we had the RC race uh competition within the Summerton Middle School. So, we were able to quickly pop in and and check it out. Mr. Flores was leading that and and it looked like a friendly competition, but we had definitely parents and uh community members uh in attendance really supporting that team. Uh we continued with the robotics uh competition up in um Fourth Avenue uh Middle Junior High in Yuma. And so really exciting because we had TDS SVS and TDS SVS and ELC uh representing our district. And I know that we have TDS uh
015placing second and SPS taking the champion award. So they are both also going to be going to state. So that's really really exciting to showcase them. And then we continued on the day. You know, we had an off-road for autism event here in town. Um it was an amazing event that it was put together by different companies um that sponsored the event and so there was a lot of stations for for children obviously to enjoy but a lot of them were very much um I guess individualized for students with special needs right and so it was really nice to see that and I was able to represent the district and also to receive you know an offering from from the organization they'll be donating um not funds, but they'll be donating a lot of uh
016toys and equipment uh that that is very sensory. Yes. And and Miss Gara really has been amazing in helping us in create that list of things that are going to be very necessary and needed for our students. So that's that's great. And they're also this is their first one. So they're also thinking about how to improve on it so that we can get more funds coming into our schools. So that that was really really great. And um so there's a lot of things going on and I just want to make sure that you are um aware of them because it's really nice to see you guys being part of these events just so that we can recognize all the greatness that our kids, our community and our staff are always involved in. So thank you
017so much. Any questions? >> Thank you. Any questions or comments? >> No. Thank you, Mr. >> Oh, one more. Sorry. One more thing, of course. Um, last week we had the Summerton Christmas tree tower lighting and I have to say it was such an amazing opportunity to showcase uh, for the very first time our marching band and our uh, district level folkloric team and also OGS was present. Uh, and all three of them did an amazing job representing our district. Um you know we had several city members coming up to us and saying like you basically double the amount of people coming to this event because of the presence of our marching band, our furic team and OG is being present. Um the marching band has um over 80 students participating. They the fulcuric team
018uh has over 30 students and they're doing such an an amazing job. Um, and because you know it was a little bit tight, although even if it was tight, it was an amazing show. Um, Mr. Dintterero and the SMS administration team decided to do a like a showcase of sorts on on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in the gym if you guys would like to go and see, you know, the progress of the marching band. And they also have invited the San Lu High, not Sanu, why am I saying? Summerton High School marching band to start looking at that transition since about 30 students will be moving on to the Summerton uh high school and hopefully joining their band as well. So you guys are welcome to join. >> Thank you. >> That's it. Questions or
019comments? >> Thank you, Mr. >> Welcome. Moving on to 3.2. Me. >> All right. Well, good evening everyone. Um, lots of fun things this weekend for sure. I missed it because it was my birthday weekend. So, we were out of town celebrating my birthday, but I wanted I have one thing to share and I wanted to let the board know in our community. Um, we have the legacy gala that's coming up and this is going to be honoring hall of fame. And so in our district, Miss Vieel was nominated and she won the nomination uh to be representing the classified directors and positions for Yuma County. So we're going to be celebrating her at this event and we've already did some posting and things like that, but the dinner is coming up January 22nd. Um,
020so we'd like to share that with everyone and just say how proud we are to have Maria at the helm of transportation for sure because she does some miracle work there and um I know it makes our jobs a lot easier, Mr. Duron and I, because she's so stellar at her job. So, we just very much appreciate the many, many years of dedication and we're excited to honor her at this event. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Congratulations. And this this is the flyer, right? >> This is the flyer. And I can I'll email it to you as well. I didn't have enough. I need to grab some more paper ones. >> Okay. How much are the tickets? It doesn't say here for the dinner. >> Um they're 125 for individual tickets. And then there are
021sponsorship levels because we're trying to ensure that we get the community influence there and they can see what we have going on in Yuma County and education and all the great people who represent and do all the hard work so that we can support many grants and scholarships and things like that for our student teachers who don't get paid for that student teaching semester. Many grants for teachers who are doing special extracurricular projects and more. Okay. >> Any questions or comments? >> Thank you, Miss >> So, moving on to uh 4.1 board members report and attendance. Miss >> Aola. >> Well, congratulations to the robotics team. I was a robotics coach once, so I know how hard it is. and getting it's a different type of competition is you have to see it in order
022to able to understand and appreciate it. But thank you and congratulations for bringing all these programs into um the district to see that impact that performing arts have. I was at the tree lighting last year and to see the impact that the band had this year it was phenomenal. I just got chills when I would started hearing the drums and I would see the the parents and the community just go up and roar. It was really really nice to see that and this is where the community should come and help and see how we can empower and sustain this man because it takes a village. It does because it gets really expensive um to buy the uniforms, to buy more um instruments and you know showcase showcase the the talent that our district has. It
023was amazing to see the flororic dance to see the little ones and just get them ready get them ready because everybody has different talents. It's not just about reading and writing integrating the performing arts just like wrestling just like different sports. It is very important just to see that. And one thing I do want to thank my boss Ne for her generous donation and I'm still trying to hustle how I can get more donations into our district because I know how important those community partnerships are, you know, and this is where we need to come as a community to help each other out, especially here in Summit that I know there's a lot of um companies that can help us out. So, this is a call to all the the companies that you know their
024are in the van to help out to help out. Come and see the band. It gives you chills. Chills. And I was also at the color. I wasn't going to start my diet until January, you know, kind of wait, but just motivated me. I'm like, let's do it now. >> Why wait until January? >> Yes. Why wait? So, I'm a little sore still. So, it was pretty fun. I I also went to the off-road for autism, just bringing that awareness to the different issues that we have in our community and different um kids that you know represent us. You know, I love them. Our one of our companies was a sponsor for that for that event as well. So, it was nice to that all these events are here in the community and just to
025showcase the talents that we have and and everybody here just coming together as a community. I was just amazed by all the talent and commitment that the community has. So, that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Aola. Miss Clark. Well, you done it again. This district doesn't cease to amaze me. I mean, so many different programs, so many wonderful things happening here. Um, I just hope that you take this holiday season to rest, recharge your batteries, you know, get ready for the new semester upon us. Um, miss happy belated birthday. Um, um, just overall, uh, kudos to everybody and all your efforts and the families. I mean, so many things happening and you see like place that you go to or that you see online. There's it's tons of families, tons of parents, and
026uh it just goes to show like what a great team um SummerN has always been and will continue to be. Um I did want to say Maria Val neighbor, my parents neighbor for over 40 years. I'm so proud of you. All the love you got on Facebook and the comments. Everybody in this entire community appreciates everything you do. You're a wonderful person inside and out. And I just wanted to say congratulations. >> Thank you, Miss Clark. Missio, >> I too want to congratulate Maria. you know, um, you always go far beyond and and with this your scope of duty and and you do it with so much passion and so much love and and we appreciate that and I know sometimes it might go unnoticed, but please know that we are very grateful for what
027you do for our community and our kids and the parents and us. Thank you. Um, I attended the tree lighting obviously as as for city council, but I was so happy to the bad. I mean, we've been trying so hard for so many years, you know, to to to bring bring it up and and and just to see it flourish and and see all these kids that have that passion and been wanting it, that is just been amazing. And so congratulations to SMS and the teacher and and administration for for just giving that support that's needed especially the folk chloric too. Wow. You know, I was a full chloric dancer, believe me or not, but for 15 years here in Summerton when I was young and fit at that time, but um you know, just
028seeing it, I can just feel it in me because I guess we're dancing it for so many years here in Summerton um and San Louis. how we represented our community and looking and seeing these kids with love and and the smile in their faces and it was wonderful to see. Uh thank you. Thank you so much for that support as well. Congratulations to the robotic championship too. You know I've never done it and I remember they showed us those bots in one of our meetings and it's just impressive and amazing and just keep keep it going. Keep it going. Um, I also want to publicly thank uh the mayor Ryell for and her construction company and all the rest of the construction companies throughout Yuma County for their donations to to not only the GSM
029district but to us and and um thank you for for considering us and and donating those wonderful bikes for those kids that that are going to get something for Christmas this year. >> Um, just a reminder, the light parade is on the 19th. I know every school is ready and and and I'll be happy to see you all there. And Maria, can't wait to see what you guys are going to do this year. That's that's my like I hurry up and we're normally the first ones in in line. And so I try to hurry up and be at the front just so I can see you guys pass by because I just to see the kids, you know, I and I say it every year, those kids that ride on those buses, their faces just
030light up to see their bus driver walk down Main Street and all line all lighted up. And so I can't wait to see it. But thank you all the schools that are going to participate. Thank the parents for their support and the teachers that are going to be marching. And um thank you. Thank you again. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Wish you all the best. Please be safe. Hug your families. Hug your families. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Missio. And um from what I hear, I missed a great weekend. You know, um I was out of town attending uh one of my wife's cousin got married, so I couldn't stay behind. Um, you know, I do want to congratulate Maria. Uh, you know, congratulations. Um, the wrestling team, robotics, um, you know, I
031think everything. I mean, it just speaks of the commitment, the dedication, and I think the heart that that you all show, uh, you know, to be recognized like this. So, thank thank you very much for for everything that that you do. Um, Mr. I I do want to give you props for the for the video, the color run video social media. I think I I I really enjoyed it. I got some good comments from from constituents and everything that they enjoy uh that engagement, >> you know. So, so thank you for that. I also want to, you know, thank um Ryell Construction and Associates. I also saw Mr. Augustine Tumbaga here on the on the donation. um you know so you know it's going to put a big smile to over a hundred of our
032of our students and our families. So we're very grateful for that. Um and you know what else can I really say? The band was awesome. I went to the lighting of the tree. They did an excellent job. I heard a lot of uh talk from from our residents that you know they see the uh big improvement from from the band and they can't wait to see where we are next year. So, I think a lot of our residents are really looking forward um you know to how big is it going to I mean I've already had conversation they've already told me like hey are they going to go and present like in other countries and things like that and I'm let's let's we'll get there but I mean let's not go too fast but those
033are the conversations that are happening and and and you know they they they have approached me and I'm like look I don't know what the plans are right now but we're we're trying to to get it uh you know to a to a good level right now. >> So that's our main concern. That's what I've been saying. So >> we're starting local. >> Yeah. So um also um I know that next week is the um ASBA annual conference. Still we don't have anyone attending, right? Is anyone >> No one's going, right? >> No, >> I am. >> Yes. You're going to be going? >> Yes. >> Oh, did you register already and everything? Oh, that's awesome. Um, we we don't have anyone going, so um I'm I'm glad you're you're going to be attending, so
034bring back that pertinent information >> and uh let us know uh what we missed. So, >> I'm I'm really glad you're you're attending. So, >> awesome. >> Um and other than that, that's that's all I have. So, we're going to move on to um consent agenda. >> I'm sorry. 5.1 District Health Service Manager Emma Rubio. >> Good evening, board president, board members, admin team, and everyone here. I already submitted my report. Do you want me to talk about something or is or do you have any questions for me? I I do have a question. Um, so I know we had a grant for RNs, right? Or did we lose that already? >> We did. It was only I think a year and a half and they didn't um make the grant available again and so
035we would have to see if it opens up again and try to try to go for it again. So the the RNs I mean the the nurse aids their CNAs or CNAs they're licensed CNAs. >> Yes, they also licensing. >> Okay. >> And they have a certification and everybody are they licensed or they just have a certification? >> They're licensed. They're all licensed CNAs. >> Any questions or comments? I don't have any questions. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. 5.2 Director of Human Resources, Alma Gonzalez. >> Hi, good everyone. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, as you know, I've been with the district for a few months already. So, I wanted to take this opportunity to start by acknowledging Yeah, by acknowledging um Fannie Gonzalez and Lorenna Martinez coming into the
036this district. I was very lucky to be partnered with them. They are amazing. They are um very energetic uh teamwork oriented. So, it's been great to navigate our first year uh with the district together. They also joined the district back in January of 2025. So, we are learning together. Um, of course I wanted to explain everything they do on a daily basis plus the unexpected, but it's not going to fit in one's slide or one's presentation. So, you know, anything any questions that you have, feel free to reach out to us. Even if we don't have the answer, we'll guide you to the correct source. And also for this uh meeting, I wanted to take the opportunity to speak about two of the biggest projects that HR department has been working or participating in during
037this year. It's been a team effort. So, um I know there's a lot more departments involved in this, but just wanted to take opportunity to kind of mention it to to you guys. So, we're going to start with the partnerships. Um right now, the district is exploring the opportunity to start a build our own program through college and university partnerships. We continue to have this good relationship with our state partnership. But two of the programs that we wanted to mention right now that we are exploring is teachers of tomorrow and the American intercontinental university. They both offer um education programs for working individuals. So they understand that our employees already have a busy schedule Monday through Friday. So they offer self-paced programs. And right now uh in communication with them, they've been very flexible. they'll
038try to accommodate to us and to the needs of our employees. So, we're looking into the possibility of them offering reduced fees through grants they already have through discounts and even waving some of the registrations fees. We are still in the process, you know, of seeing exploring how that's going to work. But we really want to offer that incentive if possible to our uh very dedicated individuals who have already shown a passion for education for the community who are willing to stay with the district and maybe they just need that motivation or incentive to continue with their education um and get maybe a a certification also in leadership. So we're trying to incentivize that and also be a support for those employees who have shown some really great dedication and passion for education. Um of
039course we continue with uh the usual universities like right now in GCU. We just finished the student teaching placement for nine individuals. Six of them are already our employees. So they're are going to go during the spring to complete their student teaching and come back to us already certified with a you know certificate for the next school year. We also have we just finished the counseling internship placement for another individual who's trying to come into the district. So hopefully that's also going to be you know a good partnership with us. And moving on to the second uh project that we wanted to mention and you will see more about this later on the action items but I still wanted to quickly address this. um you know with minimum wage and the challenges that that brings
040to the district along with the compression on a salary study on a salary schedule the district has seen the need for a salary study the last one that we had was 20 years ago back in so after reaching out to a couple companies uh the one that we've been in communication with is educational management solution solutions EMS they not only offer like a market uh study they actually do a job classification and compensation study. So they do it through a job analysis, compensation structure analysis, job valuation and a market survey. So you know as a quick summary they don't just go to uh compare the salaries that we have with other school districts but they actually go into the deep analysis of our own district. So they start with the job analysis. they get to
041um interview groups and individuals from all districts. So they get the employee feedback, the supervisor feedback and then from there they start compiling the information to create job descriptions and then based from those you know day-to-day um responsibilities they come up with the appropriate classification for that job, the appropriate um compensation as well. and they even go on to make recommendations for us based on you know even not only the titles and pay but also the work calendars the leave schedules all of that. So there's a the study that they provide is a lot more comprehensive than just a market study. Uh when we get the results on the next slide um they provide us with the strategic compensation system design and also a report development. So they're going to give us a sustainable compensation
042structure so that the district can also you know keep up with the current needs of the district with any budget constraints and you know so that we can update based on what we see the market doing but also on the report development they're going to not only give us the findings they give also they provide conclusions and recommendations as to how to implement the different strategies. So we not only get the job description with the appropriate classification and compensation but they would also provide an evaluation that is specific to that position so that whenever the supervisor is evaluating the individual they can um be specific to the expectations of that job. Um we get salary placement recommendation based not only on the internal analysis of the district but also the market study that they do
043with you know competing schools uh around the area. uh we also get the recommendation on the benefit schedules and also um they provide with that insight a compensation practice recommendation. So this process can take at least four months. So it's a long process. It's very detailed. It's going to take uh you know the participation of pretty much the entire district. But we do feel the need um after researching a market analysis is recommended every 3 to five years. Uh we've been we haven't been doing it for over 20 years. And also what they call the crust analysis. So like the foundation analysis which is what we're doing where they go more into the details of the you know job descriptions is recommended every every seven to 10 years. So, we are pretty much fast due
044another analysis and like I mentioned, we're going to have a lot more information in, you know, the future action items. I don't know if you have any questions for me at this point. >> Any questions or comments? >> I do. Um, this is nice that you guys are doing just to hear that it's been 20 years since this hasn't been done and to keep our teachers and employees because I was part of the Katy Hops teacher retention task force and one of the main issues that um with the research that we did across the state is that we do have a teacher crisis and the second reason for losing the teachers the first reason is salaries. The the second reason is environment environment. So, that's one thing that we really want to look at when
045you guys are looking at the job description. What is it that their duties and I was part of the um at Gassin, we actually had a job study and I was part of the interview process. So, just to have that now, thank you. Thank you. long overdue, but it's just keeping those points that we do have a a teacher crisis and just trying to retain those teachers and those professionals here because Senator Duron came on board. A lot of pe a lot of the teachers and staff members want to come work with Summerton School District. So, that's really nice. Thank you. Thank you. That's good to hear. Thank you, Elma. >> No, thank you. And it's been a team effort and it will continue to be as we're going to require the feedback from not
046only the employees but also the supervisors. So, we're going to be asking employees and supervisors to come at least once or twice uh to meet with the team. Um, and then as we go out to the market and they compare the information, they might require additional information. So, we're going to keep the district very busy. Sorry that we're going to be calling you a lot, but um yeah, we think that it's a good um start point. >> Definitely. Thank you, Elma. I can't think of a better person than you, Alma, to lead this project. I know the headaches from your previous your previous uh district. Um you were very hands-on. Um and uh like I said like it's all in your hands and you have a good team behind you. So thank you for for
047doing this. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Yes. >> And I would just kind of like so this needs to be done like the recommendation is every seven to 10 years. >> Yes. to go like need to the detailed like analysis and comprehensive study it's seven to 10 years and then to go out and just uh do the market analysis like the comparisons with other school district will be every three to five years. >> Okay. And you know what because I'm trying I'm trying to remember and miss maybe uh because I feel like maybe we did something like this similar but I don't think it was as detailed. I think it was more kind of like a market >> analysis, right? >> It was more of done internal internal and local comparisons of the market. And
048so we haven't had a comprehensive study from an outside third party >> in 20 20 plus years. >> So that's that's the difference. So it's it's that depth that they're going to go through really looking at like she said all of that long list of things. So, it's very very thorough and it's it's a company that's doing it. So, they're going to take other districts that are similar to ours and from all over. So, it's not just local necessarily so that we can really make sure that our salaries are adjusted accordingly. And the thing is as well, they give you a plan. So, they're going to say, you know, here's a phase in plan. this is what you can do um to get all of your positions to the market in three to five years
049or whatever the case is based on what we can handle in in our finances. So that's that's something else that really is supportive to us because the outside agency is helping us delineate that so that we stay competitive. >> Right. Right. And and I think that's Yeah. Yeah. And I and I I like I like it that it's a it's a it's a neutral party coming in and really >> um diving in in I mean 20 years. I mean God >> Yeah. of this kind of depth. Yes. >> So I'm I'm glad you guys brought it up and and and uh brought it to the table. >> So I don't have questions or anything. Any other questions or comments? Because this is an agenda item, right? >> Yeah. No, >> we'll save them for there.
050Oh, go ahead. When when are you going to start with this down? >> If approved later on it as soon as possible. So probably January. >> January. How long does it take? >> They say uh at least four months. And it's up to the district, you know, how soon we can collect the data and get the groups uh get the supervisors to meet. It's a few layers. The first part of the the first phase because they need to meet with all of the they'll create groups of employees. Let's say for custodians, they get approved of custodians. They'll meet with them. They got get all the feedback from them as to their day-to-day duties and they meet with the supervisor to kind of compare and also add up anything that's missing. Uh we also they also
051look at the requirements of the position. So they might require us the administration to look into, you know, what we're going to be requiring like the IBP card, all of that. So each position, each job title is going to take at least three meetings. So it can take uh you know uh a few months. They say at least four. It's up to the district. So we're trying to get it done like maybe during the spring semester so that we can at least have something by the summer. Um and then because once they do the once they do the meetings with the employees and the supervisor, they also have to go out to the market and gather the information from competing school district and like mistake mentioned from maybe other areas or other comparable school districts
052so that they can also start comparing and bringing up the data. But it's it's going to be a long process. So will they be comparing our demographics or the size of the school because that's very different >> everything. So they will be going out to the recommendation. I mean once we meet with them we'll determine that but they're going to go local as they know you know those are our main competition but they also even propose to go maybe to another school district who is in a border town so maybe Nogales. So they look into all of that so that the actual positions and the requirements are comparable uh when they go out and and ask for that information too because I wouldn't want to be compared to a Maricopa school you know because obviously
053their funding is >> California but it's it's similar in the community or population size but the demographics is different >> is yeah yeah they're going to go into all of that >> and they'll probably suggest uh districts but we with our feedback we and gear them to other districts that we think are more comparable than like Scottsdale or something like that. >> Yeah. >> And um are is this company from Arizona or they're >> No, they're not based in Arizona, but they do have representatives based in Arizona. So, uh at least two of the job analysis that are going to be part of the project are um based in Yuma. So, we're hoping that they can even come in to uh meet with the employees in person. And that way that's going to facilitate more
054of a conversation more than it's they did say they don't like doing interviews or sending questionnaires. It's more like a conversation where they get to express just what they do on a daily basis. And um they found that that's more effective when trying to get the actual duties that they're assigned. >> So after this report is given to you, that's where we're going to revamp like the job description or more of salaries? It's everything. So once they look at the job description and they see that maybe the requirements and the duties of that job position might be wrongly classified, maybe they'll suggest like a new title, the correct compensation as to benefits, pay, and also they give us the evaluation. They'll also overall they're they're going to be give us an idea of where we're
055at if we're like really below some um positions and also maybe give us a plan of action as to what we need to address first or what will be the best idea so that it's also sustainable and that we can continue to work on this model that they'll provide. >> I think this is a great thing. Um I didn't know it was that long but um I was looking through my emails to I remember talking about this and I just I've been thinking this long but thank you so much for for starting this. Thank you. That's >> and I would even say I'm going just schedule it in like 3 five years the market and then 7 to 10 um you know we can go that far and just put it on the calendar so
056that >> so that we can ensure that >> we don't have a big of a gap now because I mean I'm >> you know I'm intrigued to see what's going to come out. >> Yeah, we are too. Yeah, >> I think we're all >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Moving on to a 5.3 director of transportation. President, all members, um I just you have my report and I just want to inform you that we have 11 certified bus drivers, amazing bus riders and uh we're not full stop. We need two bus driver more, but we hire one this week and we're looking for another one so we can be doing a great job. Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. Well, like I was saying, we have 11 uh certified drivers and we need two more. Uh we
057have a mechanic, eight crossing cars, and we have running 15 buses, regular buses, regular route buses, and now four ESS buses. And um we're providing transportation for for students safely to and from school. We been driving 1,076 miles daily. It says today we driven 82,50 miles is right now. >> And we're transporting the students safely to and from school since the first day. We have and have no students uh uh lost place in the bus. Sometimes you know they they will still keep them because sometimes they don't see their parents they don't they don't feel comfortable you're not getting off and and the bus driver instruct that is the kid is not safe to get off uh at the bus stop they need to keep them in the bus >> and bring them to school
058back to school. So uh buses you see that we have the in the sonora two um ESS buses and one preschool. Uh S Valley one ESS bus school five buses and one ES bus and one preschool bus ter uh we have two buses running and one preschool bus. uh ELC, four regular buses and one ELC, one ESS bus and one preschool. In Summerton Middle School, we have six buses running and one ESS. And I forgot to add BTS. We have one regular bus and two ESS buses. uh bus driver are training on defense driving, backing and turning, the student management, bullying and school regulation every every year. And uh I just want to recognize the bus driver because they do an amazing job carrying those kids to and from school and safely >> which is
059most important thing. Uh uh today I just got a good news that went they choose the transportation department crossing cars. >> Crossing cars, >> not bus drivers, crossing crossing. >> Yeah. To recognize, you know, the Amen for their hard work in that they do >> to transport, you know, to cross our students safely to to school. And actually you know, they're doing amazing job all the crossing bars because they care for the kids. Even sometimes, you know, uh drivers, they're not really respectful, but they still crossing our kids >> and that's about it. Do you need uh do you have some questions about >> questions or comments? >> I do. Is there any bus aids with you? Because I know there's >> actually not on regular routes, only in the ESS buses, >> but in
060the regular, especially with um like the bigger kids like with bullying or them getting >> Well, we try to manage, you know, students. Yes. But anyways, they the bus drivers are trained to do that. and and you know if there's a student misbehaving what they do is you know they bring them to the front you know to the front of the bus and um monitor them and and keep them to keep doing or behaving. So only ESS has Okay, is right now? >> No further questions. >> M >> uh Maria, does the ESS um transportation have a ticketing or like a badge the students have to wear and you scan it? >> Uh the writing ship. No, but uh we carry a small quantity on those buses and actually the bus driver they know them
061and uh at the beginning they don't know the student but we do the name tax and the address and the permission of the prince. >> So and no none of your buses have >> no they're the student writing ship? No. >> Okay. >> And right now at this moment we haven't had no problems at all with >> Do you think in the future that would >> Yes, we will. We're looking into it. >> Okay. Okay. Is it expensive or >> It's kind of expensive and then after that, you know, after the initial fee, there's a annual fee every every year. >> Do you see it as it being necessary? >> Uh it was not because like I say, you know, the the bus driver, they did a real good job and uh actually they have
062the list of the kids. they the kinder they have ne name tags and actually you know they they really care with with those students but uh we're trying to get one just for safety and for the future. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments? >> Because actually right now we haven't had no students lost. I was going to say, how many kids have we lost in the last 10 years? >> And it's not about I guess not losing a student just because of my comment. My secretary, >> she had to go home really quick because they wouldn't allow her daughter to get on the bus cuz she forgot her little badge at home. >> And so might well stay home, right? That's in some not allow her to get on because they wouldn't,
063you know, like she's on the bus twice a day. you know you she knows they know who she is but >> doesn't matter if they know who she is she doesn't have her little bad >> and they scan it she cannot get on the bus >> and so I was wondering if we had that here >> no we haven't >> but we will >> I don't know if it's going to be a convenience >> no it will be >> sorry principles you're going to have a lot of kids in your Thank you, Maria. So, moving on to a consent agenda. Does anybody have a question or wish to pull something from consent agenda? >> No. Need a motion. >> So, move. >> Motion was made by Miss Clark. >> Second by Miss Delgado. All those
064in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to a 7.1 discussion of school coalition on APS rate increase. >> So APS is proposing a 14% electricity rate increase that could take effect in July 2026 significantly raising the cost for schools in this uh service area. Uh to ensure public schools are represented, ASBA will participate directly in hearing before the Arizona Corporation Commission starting in January. ASBA ASBA is also forming a coalition of school district and board members to coordinate advocacy and prepare potential testimonies. Uh ASBA is extending the invitation to you the board members to join the coalition and to participate in an upcoming virtual roundt. If there's board participation uh they would need we would need to share our district logo so they can put it in their letter to
065the commission and this is just a discussion item. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, there's uh an email was sent out, you know, like Mr. Don mentioned um and and I personally feel that it's a good idea to >> to uh join this coalition. Um you know, a 14% increase in and in in our APS. I mean, I mean, it it it is is going to have an impact on us, especially with with with our funding and everything. So, >> I think it's I think for us it's important to uh at least be on the table in those discussions and everything. I mean, I've always my thought has always been, you know, if if you're not on the table, um you're you're probably on the menu. So, um you know, I think this gives us an opportunity
066to at least express our concerns and and and and show how it's going to impact us. So, for me, I'm I'm okay if we uh join. >> I don't know about the rest. >> You let you let them you'll let ASB know. >> Sure. >> Yes. and we'll send the logo so that they they can use it and then I'm sure after that you we will get correspondence as to when these roundts will be so that you guys if available can join >> because I mean a 14% increase I mean that would have an impact on us right >> absolutely >> we already had one last >> two years ago we already had one >> probably overund like almost 100,000 that added to our bill >> the whole district So, >> all right. >> Okay.
067>> Awesome. So, we're going to move on to uh 7.2 discussion and possible action of approval of revised policy GCMCA. >> All right. Well, we found another policy we needed to add in and revise. Um, so this was brought up by our administrative team. Um, and I appreciate that. So, as we looked into it, we needed to add a recording policy that would support um our our parents as well as our administration so that there are some stipulations and and guidance in that. Um you know, with the state there's you you can record meetings and things like that, but there are often times things that are confidential and you need to be careful what is shared um and so forth and we need to follow policy. So, this lines everything out for us. We worked
068with ASBA and the attorneys to ensure that everything is is correct and um and conditions for recording. So, you know, if the board should approve this this evening, then we would be able to start utilizing the policy tomorrow and share it with our parents in in whatever meetings that are coming up as part of our practice. Um we implement, you know, the school rights, the conditions. We're asking that no video recording be implemented um just for a lot of safety measures and um that a 24hour notice be implemented and um that everyone complies with that policy. There any questions? >> Any questions or comments? >> No need a motion. Motion was made by Miss Dadio. >> Second by Miss Clark. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? >> Nay. >> Roll
069call. >> Juan Castillo. >> I. >> Lorena Deado. >> I. >> Christina Clark. >> I. >> Lisa Areola. >> Nay. >> Motion carries. 31. Moving on to uh 7.3 approval of school parent support organization FY26. >> Yeah. So the recommendation is for your approval of VIA deanto school parent support organization FI26. Uh the selected PTL members are in public content. >> Questions or comments? >> Need a motion. >> Motion was made by Miss Deario. >> Second. second by Miss Areola. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to a 7.4. Discussion and possible action to approve the revised district paid stipens FY26. So, we made some revisions to the list of stipens uh through title 2. Uh there's funds that were allocated for that are allocated for teacher recruitment
070and retention efforts. As you know, this past year, title fundings had anticipated cuts of 20% um of their fundings. However, that ended not happening and so we received some of that allocation in late August. So, this made it possible to give a retention stipen to all of our heartto-fill teachers, hard to fill teachers, which is elementary and middle school ESS teachers, middle school ELA, math and science. Assuming that there are no further cuts, this is part of our regular allocation. So it would be um possible and sustainable moving forward. Uh the stipen total would will be um 1,600 paying half this December soon and the rest in May. Uh so the recommendation is to approve the district pay stipens as presented. >> Any questions or comments? So, so these funds, these stipens, Mr. Leon, um
071are due to um you know, funds were were were because of the 20%. >> We ended up getting it back and now it's giving us that flexibility to kind of, you know, compensate our teachers in these hard to fill positions. >> Yes. So, um title two specifically for recruitment and retention. So, that that money goes directly to the teachers, right? So, we budgeted 80% because that's what we were going to be receiving. However, in late August, like mentioned, we received the rest of that allocation and so we were able to um I guess budget that uh stipen for our heart to field positions. Yes. And again, if we don't see any sort of cuts in the future, this would be something that we can continue to do. >> Question. >> Go ahead. You mentioned that
072um the $1,600 for the heartto-fill retention stipen is for ESS and middle school, but at the top it says special education 1,200. >> Oh, that's be getting both. >> No. So that's if you look at the list, those are already um stipens that were in that list. We just revised the list by adding so that we were able to add this particular retention stipen that 1,200 is for um IEP support right for our ESS teachers. So that would be an addition to the $1,200. >> So they'll get 1,600 plus,200. >> Yes. So the,200 is for the work that they do with all of the IEPs. the,600 is to incentivize them for um you know really supporting our ESS population. Again, hard really hard to fill these positions. So, we want to make sure that we
073keep them and also another way to um recruit more. >> Thank you, Mr. I'm looking at this, I'm like should have had it in the past. >> So, I believe there were um stipens in the past. Yes. So I think u around co I I think that's when you know they they went without. So this was a great opportunity to see this additional money to to bring it back to them as well. >> Sounds good. >> Any questions or comments? No. Need a motion? >> Make a motion to approve the district based stipens as presented. >> Motion was made by Miss Clark, second by Miss Areola. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. 7.5 discussion, consideration, and possible action to approve the revised salary schedule effective January 1st, 2026.
074>> So, the Industrial Commission of Arizona has the responsibility to adjust the Arizona minimum wage on January 1st of each year. This January 1st of 2026, the minimum wage will be increasing 3%. So, it's going to be going from $14 with.70 to $15.15. uh with that or non-exempt uh classified hourly salary schedule uh range two and three they fall below the minimum wage uh currently. So we are um bringing back the the revised salary schedule along with the you know poster from the industrial commission for you guys to approve the uh proposed 2526 non-exem salary schedule with the recommended new minimum wage >> questions or comments >> need a motion >> motion was made by Missio Second, >> second by Miss Areola. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Motion carries.
075>> Moving on to um 7.7. Discussion and possible action to approve salary study. >> You skip it. >> I'm sorry. 7.6. discussion and possible action to approve salary increase to minimum wage classified hourly staff effective January 1st, 2026 FY2526. >> The district administration recommends the board to approve the following salary increases for all classified hourly employees hired before July 1st of 2025. Uh so effective January 1st of 2026 uh employees hired before July 1st will be receiving a 3% increase and then employees who are already earning over the 50% salary range base rate will be receiving the 1.5 um cost of living adjustment. Um in addition to those who fall under you know the minimum wage that will also be placed uh until the new minimum wage of 1515 um starting January 1. June. Yeah,
076January 1st. And just a reminder that teachers, administrators, and other certified star staff salary increases of 3% were approved back in April, and they became effective at the beginning of the school year. So, the only ones pending are our hourly employees. >> Questions or comments? >> Mad. >> How many how many employees fall under that? >> 250. >> that we are like it's a combination of those going from the minimum wage that has been increased and also receiving the the increase. So it's 250 hourly employees that we're going to be you know providing um increases as of January 1st. >> But how many fall under the >> um I don't have the exact count but it's position I can get back to you with exact numbers. That's all. >> Any other questions or comments? Need
077a motion? >> So moved. >> Motion was made by Miss Deladio. >> Second by Miss Clark. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to a 7.7 discussion and possible action to approve salary study by EMS. So, Alma was able to present to you um the information for EMS. So, the recommendation is to approve the salary study as presented. Any questions or comments? No. Um and and the plan is that we whatever the results is will they bring us that we are going to be let's say we're planning on moving in that direction within I mean I know it's not going to be able to we're not going to be able to do it maybe right away unless it comes back really in our favor right but within three
078to five years we should be so that's the plan right so there's some actionable steps that we can right away start working on our next school year but if we see that some of our positions are underpaid Um again working with Laura like do we have a plan you know like salary study is going to tell us like we're underpaying people okay so what's the plan now now what do we do so we would be able to f to come up with a plan and the recommendations from EMS of um being able to place everyone in three years and five years just to make sure that we have that in motion >> that's when the team works their magic and makes it happen right Laura Um, I need a motion. >> Motion to the approve
079motion to approve the salary study as presented. >> Motion was made by Miss Areola, second by Miss Clark. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to uh 7.8. I'm actually going to >> um go to the announcements >> and then we'll go to the executive session. >> Okay. So, um any recommendations uh from the board for future agenda items for January? No. All right. So, um need a motion to uh go into executive session. >> Motion was made by Miss Delgado. >> Second by Miss Clark. All those in favor say I. I. I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. We'll take like a fivem minute break. in a motion. >> So moved. >> So motion was made by Missio. >> Second by Miss Clark. All those in favor say I.
080>> I. Anyone opposed? >> We're going into a session. Um it is uh 7.9 discussion and possible action to approve the superintendent performance pay FY24-25. Need a motion >> to approve the performance we have given to. >> So we have to make a we have to >> the recommendation. >> We have to make a recommendation. says a recommendation. >> Would I do it? >> Yeah. >> So, um I >> I guess we can go. >> Okay. >> Oh, okay. I mean, I'm I'm okay with look looking at the performance pay plan and everything. I'm okay with um with uh the out um the overall performance being outstanding and get the uh for our superintendent to receive the uh the max amount. >> I agree. I agree. Plus >> so um so I'll make a motion
081I'll make a motion to approve the superintendent performance pay as an outstanding rating to be payable for uh the full um the $4,000. >> Second. >> Motion was made by uh myself, second by Misso. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? >> Motion carries. It is uh 7:30. We're ajourned.