001Calling this meeting to order. Today is a Wednesday, November 12th. It is uh 5:30 p.m. Can we please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance? Can you hear us? >> I aliance 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 Degado, clerk. >> Present. >> Christina Clark, member. >> Present. >> Louisa Areola. Member. Glattis Annaya. Member >> present. >> We have a quorum. >> Thank you, Mary. Moving on to public comments uh 2.1. Do we have any comments from the audience? >> We do not. >> We don't. Thank you, Mary. Moving on to uh 3.1 report from uh Mr. Don. >> Good evening, everyone. It's really
002nice to see you guys like every month. It's nice to see the team here united. Yeah, we I'd like to start off with some celebrations. Uh the Summerton Middle School wrestling team uh earned the city championship title. So, that's really impressive. And so, we want to make sure that we acknowledge them. uh they will be invited in our December board meeting to be acknowledged in person and also to encourage them as they will be also participating um in January uh on in the Prescott uh tournament which is the state level. So we're really proud of the team uh the athletes and all the work that the coaches have put into to this uh amazing amazing uh team. Right. Uh to continue the celebrations um I've been bugging everyone about the letter grades. the letter grades
003are out and and it's really important to continue to acknowledge that the letter grid is the byproduct of the work that we do. So, it's important that we really continue to think about it that way because the systems that we have been moving and changing and whatnot and improving on is is solely to improve the outcome of our students. And so, uh we are very happy as a district. Uh the outcomes that we got this year were phenomenal. I know that I gave you a handout. It's kind of like an elevator pitch kind of situation in case you want to share this with your friends, your families. But there's a couple of things in the back that I want wanted you to uh to look at is some of the highlights. Um we have two
004of our schools are top 10, which is Desert Sonores number four and BTS is number seven. So that's an amazing uh I'm so sorry. Yes, [applause] I stand corrected. We're desert number three. So congratulations to that's very significant. um TDS uh they were working were working super hard and they were uh close to a an A very close to an A.4 three I want to say is how close they were um but we see their commitment and and you know as soon as we saw the scores Miss KMA and Miss Sullivan were like Mr. We know what we're going to do. We're going to be there next year. Um, and uh, one of the things that I also want to highlight is Summerton Middle School was able to uh, raise their scores from a low
005D to a really solid C. They grew 18 points in a in a [snorts] year. So, this definitely a celebration of the staff and the students who work really, really hard this past year. Uh, I know the newspaper uh, erroneously said that it grew 13 points and I needed to make sure I put it in the record that it's 18 points it grew. And so we're really really proud of their growth. So anyways, that's something that I wanted to make sure that I publicly share with you guys to showcase the greatness that you know Summerton is and and the focus that we have and and making sure that all of our students are supported in their academic journey. Um a couple of other things, uh we started promoting season of giving, uh which is the
006weekend meals that we uh started last weekend. We had really good numbers last weekend. So we have three different schools. TDS had 120 uh families participating. We had SVS, we had about 76 individuals receiving breakfast and 67 receiving lunches. And then finally, OJS uh lower numbers, 22 breakfast and 22 lunches, but we will be continuing this service for the rest of the month of November and also in December. Uh so again, it's it's in spirit of making sure that we give back. Um the Special Olympics were last Friday. They were amazing. Uh so thank you so much for everyone who was involved. Mr. Moreno for hosting. Miss Gara, obviously I was going to say Miss Garca, she's definitely very much involved in the committee. And what we're noticing is that this event is getting bigger
007and bigger. So I've already been talking to Laura and see what are some things that we can as a district provide for these events. And so we also have a meeting plan with Miss Garca and the committee to see how we can continue to improve that particular um event because it's very representative our of our district and obviously it's all for our kiddos. So um and then uh just so you know in my section in the report you will see the field trips and so I approved the migrant education program field trip. They will be taking about 50 students uh seventh and eighth graders to UOVA in Tucson uh later in the spring. Do you guys have any questions? >> Questions or comments? [laughter] >> I think they're making I think they're making their rounds.
008They're making their rounds. >> So glad to be here. [laughter] >> Any questions or comments? >> Thank you, Mr. You're welcome. >> Uh moving on to a 3.2. Miss, >> good evening everyone. Um just a couple of quick things. um our AWC nurse partnership, they concluded their last round um at at the last three elementary schools the first week of November and they'll go ahead and u continue that in the second semester as well and kind of they wanted to target second through fifth grade next time. And so that's been happening. We've been finishing up our bus drills, our safety drills and it's been really good. All of the administrators have been coming in and out to the different ones so that they can get ideas and things. And so it's really spurred a lot
009of great conversations with our law enforcement and different agencies and our administrators to kind of think of other safe ways that they need to evacuate the buildings. Um that which I won't divulge too much in a public forum, but you know, we're really making sure that we're taking care of all of those and excited about that. So those things are underway and in in good process. And then I have a couple of the things that are on the agenda that when we get to those I'll explain. >> Awesome. Any uh questions or comments? >> No. Thank you, Miss A. [clears throat] Moving on to um consent agenda. Do we have any uh anyone has a question or wish to pull something from consent agenda? >> We jumped a couple of spots. >> Oh, I'm sorry.
010like three. >> Okay. 4.1. I'm sorry. Board member reports, Miss Miss >> Annayia. I think the only thing I have is when I saw the reports of the grades, I always say, especially with weight, that numbers don't define you or scores, but um I like that I heard Mr. Leon say that um Miss Felix and Miss Sullivan were already like, "Okay, we know what we're going to do to tackle it." Like, it's not >> that's just where you're at. But there's always room to grow. and just I know that especially with that team that they're very focused and dedicated so I know that it's going to go up. >> So that's awesome >> and I'm just congratulations to everyone else who either stayed or went up and if any slight little changes that happen like
011I know that you guys have strong teams and it's going to >> it'll it'll get better. >> So thank you for all of your hard work. >> Thank you Miss and I miss Clark. Um nothing much to report but you know piggybacking um congratulations to everyone. Your hard work and dedication is relevant throughout the entire community and um keep up the good work. Thank you for everything that you've done so far all of you every every department in the district. >> Absolutely. Thank you Miss Clark. Mio, >> I guess we're going to sound like a broken record, but it is amazing to see and um you know, as Glattus mentioned, yeah, scores don't define you. Being a teacher myself, you know, sometimes when my kids didn't do well and the scores and they would always,
012you know, push the scores on me and it would kind of bum me out. But at the end of the day, you would see the growth of your kids and you see that even though they raised a few points in within your class makes a big difference and you make a big difference and and just keep doing what you're doing. You are the experts. You are the ones that make our district grow. Because of you, we are where we are and we thank you for that for your dedication. Um, you know, yes, a lot of changes have been made and a lot of changes are coming, but please embrace that. Look at what the changes have done. I I don't think we've seen such a great um numbers. Um, just being number three in the
013Yuma County says a lot. You know, number three is number three, who cares? But at least we're not the bottom of the total pool, you know, and and um do we want to be number one? Of course we of course we want to be number one. Everybody wants to be number one. But um feel proud, feel honored that because of you admin, you guys work really hard and I know that you guys are pushing your teachers and some teachers, you know, [clears throat] I speak to them. Um and I see them at the store or at gatherings that, you know, I tell them it's hard work. We've always done it. We've always done it. was just a little bit more than what we're used to do. And so, um, thank you. Thank you for for
014allowing and, um, embracing those changes and making sure that at the end of the day, the only ones that matter here are the kids. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the kids education. We want to see them go to higher education like the UVA and um, and go and stuff like that. But um, because of you, we are where we are. So, thank you so much. I also want to thank those that participated in the board survey. Um, I [snorts] know it's it's tedious. I know it's like, you know, you have to answer the the questions and so forth. And I and I saw the the eval the evaluation and the questions were really great, short, simple. Uh, thank you to the committee, whoever made that. Um, it was
015great. There was there were some comments there that kind of, you know, shook me a little, but um I'm not going to respond to them. I just want you to know that what we do here as a board is we make every decision in the best interest of our kids and our community. Our staff is important. You administration is important. And so we want to make sure that you understand that every decision that we make, we make it with that interest. Nobody else's interest but ours. Our summer kids. Um that's what I meant. And congratulations Soul. You know you I know I'm sure you're going to do it. SMS, you know, you guys have come a long way. New leadership comes new changes. I'm sure it's going to get better and I know it will.
016So let's go for number one. Mr. >> Leon. You have one more year to prove it to us. So, >> we're getting there. We're getting there. >> Thank you so much. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Miss Leo. And, you know, I do want to congratulate, you know, the SMS wrestling for being city champs. I mean, that's that's amazing. Um, like Missio mentioned, um, you know, I want to thank everyone for that took the time to did the the the board survey. Um, I I I like to see that constructive feedback. I think it can only help us grow and I think uh reading some of those comments also uh for us board members you know it really um sometimes it's a good reminder that hey what we do individually at times it can
017be perceived as hey that's the board you know so it's it's a good refresher that hey we're uh you know we're we're we're a team and um you know um the letter grades u you know congratulations I mean our average is a B as a district you know It's it's a a high B. Um, you know, I like like they said, I mean, the letter grades that they don't define who you are. Um, you know, we're we're uh we're focusing on on on the whole child as a whole, you know, but but again, uh during our retreat over the summer, um you know, I the day that I came, I know, uh Mr. run in the committee. Um they provide the blueprint on what is needed uh to ensure that we all get A's and
018B's and and improve. And um you know I said it in in our retreat, you know, without um without data is just an opinion. And I'm pre I'm pretty sure that if we continue to follow that data that uh Mr. Don and his team presented, um we're we're going to be the first aid district. Uh I I I have no no doubt in that. So, congratulations on on getting a a B uh letter grade as a B as as a district. Um, you know, your hard work does not go unnoticed. It's we know it's not easy. Kids come with many challenges that sometimes we we have no control over them at home. So, we we understand that and we appreciate that. Um, >> may I add something, Mr. Castillo? Um, because I need to make
019sure I acknowledge all the growth within our district. SVS went from a seat to a B and I want to make sure that I also publicly share this information because it's great. It's a great accomplishment for our little school in San Louis. So, thank you so much, Mr. Munoz. Just to to really put it into perspective, you know, as a district, we're be 77.15 points. The second second uh district in the county is uh 13 points away from us. So, we're right there. And then Gatson being the first one, we're about two points away from from Gatsson. So I have close by >> and I and I think that just shows that every little point or you know matters. um you know it could have been just that one student or the just one you
020know it's it's minimal but um you know we I I feel that we are trending in the right direction and as a board you know we do know that there are areas of opportunities um and and uh we'll we'll embrace them um but thank you all for your hard work and um pretty sure next year we'll be celebrating an a district across the board [laughter] so um that's all I have um so moving on to uh 5.1 we do have no reports from uh administrators. That's correct. So now we are moving on to consent agenda. Does anybody have a question or wish to pull something from consent agenda? No need a need a motion. I do want to say I do want to say I just want to thank I saw that uh Mr. Duron
021and other members um made a a donation. Yeah. >> So I I I want to thank you guys for that. Um, so question or motion, >> any questions? Motion was made by Miss Clark. >> second by Miss Annayia. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to a 7.1. Discussion and possible action to reassign Brandon Oniscoco as director of adult education effective November 15, 2025. >> Mr. school has been our adult education coordinator for the past three years. Uh the job description proposed is to reclassify the current adult ed coordinator position to an adult education director. Under Mr. O'Neal's supervision, the program has increased uh 207% increase in budget uh prior to and I'm sorry in 127% of student enrollment in the last three years. Uh prior to
022Mr. for Oniscoco, the budget was uh $218,000 and uh since it's doubled uh to over $400,000. Uh also in enrollment, it has doubled more than doubled from 200 students initially three years ago to um now having 500 students approved for next school year. Um also, uh the adult education within our district received the first place award in this year's annual adult ed institution by the Arizona Department of Education. And I I I hope that you remember last month Mr. Oniscoco presented and he was super proud about that particular uh rec recognition for his program. Uh some of the additional job descriptions that were not part of the coordinating positions are securing the grants, monitoring budget awards, compliance. Uh and so those have been added as part of the new job description. Uh this is a
023grantf funded position. So we are recommending uh that Mr. school be moved to the position of adult education director with the appropriate pay increase effective November 15, 2025. Any questions or comments? Need a motion. >> Motion was made by Missio. >> Second by Miss Clark. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to 7.2. Congratulations. [applause] >> Oh, he made it. Mr. Oniscoco, I'm happy that you're here. Um, we had word that he might have not been here because your son was receiving an award tonight. >> Yeah. >> Meeting started at 5, but luckily they did this thing at near the start. So, >> awesome. Congratulations, Mr. School. >> And he was awarded for a perfect score on his ASA. So, honored by >> Thank you for what
024you do. So moving on to a 7.2 discussion and possible action of approval of revised policy JL. >> All right. I'd like to share um this policy we actually didn't have in our in our policies at all. And so it came to our attention um a little while back that we had some students that are riding ebikes, motorized like little motorcycles to school and things like that. So that caused some investigation. Is that okay? What's going on? Uh how do we ensure safety and those kinds of things? And so as we looked, we got with ASBA, we gathered um had to wait for them to give us whatever there was out in the state. And so we researched that, also looked at the city or ordinances as well. And um were able to put together
025what you see now. Um ASBA was instrumental in helping us with the final. So, it looks like the policies look uh from what I sent them and we were able to put into it uh student transportation and safety. So, I thought what a better place because I couldn't find anything else in our policy that really lined out uh students riding their bicycles and things like that. It had all been in our student handbooks at the sites. So, there wasn't anything really in policy. And so I added the policy there for us so that we could have that defined um what safety should be like, students wearing their safety gear and all of that good stuff, following the school rules. Um also the parent pickup and drop off and how they need to do that and
026then added the motorized transportation and cited also what the city of Subton ordinances are. that way we could have alignment with with our city. And um once if the board so approves this tonight, then we'll be able to put this in action, send out a memo to our families and then um be able to address that also in our handbooks and so forth. You have any questions? >> Questions or comments? I about approximately how many students u coming in e school? >> Well, maybe one or two. but it was brought to our attention and we're thinking, okay, how do we address this? Is this going to start trending? Um, and we need to make sure that we have everything safe and and in policy so that our administrators are able to be backed up with
027what they might request. Mhm. >> So, regular bicycles are good, but uh same with the city ordinances like any student under 12 shouldn't be >> uh unsupervised and out there and so riding around. And we I think currently have like a third or fourth grader rolling, [laughter] >> which is great. They've been very, you know, respectful and and everything, but we just want to ensure proper safety. And it came up too with our SSOs and SRO's there. >> They were how do we what's the school policy and what's this, you know, the city. So, we're being very um respectful of that. So, until we have something really in writing and approved by our board, then then we can move forward with it. >> No questions or comments. I need a motion. >> Motion was made
028by Miss Deado. >> Second by Missa. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to 7.3 discussion and possible action to vote on ASBA bylaw change proposal. And um I actually asked Mr. Don to put this on on on the agenda. And what this is is um just ASBA. If you see the p public content, it's just information on the bylaws that uh the association is trying to the committee is trying to uh to change and really all it does it just kind of strengthens and it's more detailed and specific on on situations that that might might arise uh you know so if you guys have any questions or or comments I can do my best to answer them but um everything is pretty much u they're on the
029public content. questions or comments? >> Need a motion. >> Motion was made by Miss Annaya. >> Second by Miss Clark. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Motion carries. And Mary, I believe this we need to uh let ASB. >> Yes. >> Okay. Moving on to a 7.4 discussion and possible action to approve the results of the board self-evaluation BAA FY25-26. The recommendation is to approve the results of board self-evaluation survey uh fiscal year 2526. Just a quick uh recap on the responses. We had um over 329 responses compared to 203 from last year. So yeah, we went up in responses. any uh questions or comments? I I will just make a comment. I I after after looking at it, I mean I it was kind of like a mixed mix
030uh feedback, you know. So, it was kind of like like different perspectives, you know. Um so, uh it's I I found that interesting. It's like like half and half. So, uh but but thank you for taking the time and and and doing it. So, need a motion. >> Motion was made by Miss Deio. >> Second by Miss Clark. All those in favor say I. I. >> Anyone opposed? Motion carries. Now, we're going to move on to a 7.5. Uh we do have um an executive session pursuant to ARS 38-431 uh to receive legal advice with the attorney for the p uh public body regarding the employee grievance uh that was that's processed in the governing board policy. >> so you will be going with Mary. >> Okay. So, um I guess we can let me
031just go to the announcements, do everything else that way. I mean, if you guys want to stay or you guys are more than welcome. So, um we're going to go to announcements right now. 8.1 Any recommendations from the board for future agenda items? >> No. Um 8.2. Um there is a ASBA um ASA annual conference December 17th through the 19th. Um, if you're planning on attending, make sure you let Mary know. >> Like soon. >> Like by like soon. >> By when? Mary? >> This Friday. >> Yeah. So, I'm not I'm not going to be able to make it. So So >> Oh, so no one >> for December, right? >> For December. >> Yeah. This 18. >> Um, so none of us here. And for the uh 8.3 NSBA pre-conference, the work the workshop,
032um, let Mary know. Um, I know you sent us that email and I'll get back to you on that one. >> Me, too. >> So, other than that, I mean, we're we're done. You can uh stay or you can go. We need a motion to go into executive session, right? >> Motion was made by Mad, second by Miss. >> All those in favor say I. Anyone opposed? So, we're going to reconvene. It is 6:22, Wednesday, no November 12th. Uh, moving on to um let's do roll call real quick. Mary Castillo, >> president. >> Present. >> Lorena, clerk, >> present. Christina Clark member >> present. >> Luis Areola member. Glattis Anaya member >> present. We have a quorum. >> Thank you Mary. And uh we do have uh Mary our school attorney on on on online.
033So moving on to 7.6 review and possible action to decide grievance of employee 192 0144. Miss Arola, if you wanna if you want to go to the podium. >> Yeah, we'll have a >> turn. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Um, hello. Good evening. I respectfully request that for the Summerton governing board to review the superintendent second appeal denial dated October 12, 2025 related to my initial agreements against Summerton Middle School principal Rahul Ruscon. This matter raises concerns of bias, procedural violations, and lack of safeguards directly impacting both Arizona revised statutes, Arizona school boards model policies governing ethical conduct, employee protection, and workplace fairness. Now, Superintendent Omar Dudan's close personal relationship with Mr. Raul, >> Mr. I'm going to interject right there. Um, let's let's stick to the your filing on
034the level two grievance um on on that on that appeal >> that is on this appeal. >> Um, >> so my time is stopped, right? Because my time is still running. So my time should be stopped, right? So I yield my time. >> It's stopped. >> Yes. >> So I stopped that it was stopped. >> Let's let's make sure we focus on on the level two grieviance. uh you know >> I'm just giving you context but it is >> if you understand if you heard what I said in the beginning this is regarding my denial October 12 from Mr. Omar Duron which that was stated initially. >> Okay. Keep again just keep it on the level two grievance. >> It is only on the level two end. >> You can start the time. >> Okay.
035So the superintendent again is dated October 12th relating to my initial grievance and this is also that matters that request that it's dated October 12th from the second grievance against Summerton Middle School principal. So this is what my basis for my appeal is that superintendent Omar Duran has a close personal relationship with Mr. Rahul Raspon which constitutes a clear conflict of interest and violates the ethical standards expected under both district and state law. Mr. Dudon holds fidiciary and ethical duty to ensure that all grievous and process are conducted with fairness, objectivity and transparency. His failure to recuse himself from this investigation invalidates the decision rendered and breaches ASBA policy expectations for impartiality and due process. This constitutes a failure to uphold the district's duty of fairness and your as you guys were talking about ASBA
036model policy policies GBA which is staff me which requires all district officials to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain public trust through partial action impartial action. So he failed to address the noted original grievance which he it says my initial grievance specifically cited ASBA policies Arizona revised statute violations which were neither acknowledged nor remedied in either level of the grievance which you guys do have the paper which is a model GBE B uh JICK um abuse of school employee which let me and those are the two policies and then it also goes into the ARS statutes 19507, ARS 121810, ARS 23403 which all were emailed to you guys that is likely to cause serious harm. Okay. And also it is often recognized by the Arizona Education Association as related to employee advocacy organization as a
037part of the employer's duty to provide a safe and respectful working environment and also I am also protected under the whistleblower protections under ARS 3853- 531 to 38534. So these are procedural and policy deficiencies. So he did an inadequate investigation respond. They thought retaliatory remedies meaning he wanted to move me instead move me because I was a bliss blower instead of actually providing a remedy. He failed to import ASBA policies. He did violate ARS 15341 and he failed to apply or extend these protections to the employees and he did not comply to the ASA handbook and principles. My gosh. >> Thank you, Mr. Mr. >> Uh members of the governing board, uh thank you for your time and consideration regarding the review of this appeal throughout the grievance process. Uh >> let's make sure we
038start the timer. All right. So, I'm going to go ahead and start. Uh, members of the governing board, thank you for your time and consideration regarding the review of this appeal. Throughout the grievance process, the district has followed its policy and procedures to timely, thoroughly, and fairly address complaint at each level. Tonight, Miss Aola raises two grounds as the basis for her appeal. First, she alleges that there is a conflict of interest and a lack of impartiality for my failure to recuse myself during the second grievance level. Miss Areola has not shown any evidence that a conflict of interest exists or that I addressed her complaint with a lack of impartiality. I follow district policies and procedures in addressing her complaint. Second, she alleges that there were there was a failure to address violations noted
039in the original grievance. The district fully investigated the concerns raised in the original grievance. Additionally, the district addressed the concerns according to district policy and procedure. It communicated that it addressed the concerns to Miss Areola throughout the process as well. The district timely, thoroughly, and fairly followed its policies and procedures in investigating and addressing the concerns raised by Miss Areola. The district recommends that the governing board upholds and affirms the superintendent's level two response and determination. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Do we have any um questions or comments? >> I have no comment. I just want to thank for for coming before us today following procedures and Mr. Thank you as well for following the procedures as as I do want to echo what what Mr. mentioned um I believe this is the first time
040um in in my board experience that we've had a a grievance. So uh this is a first for for for all of us. So it's a so you know just know that we do take all employees uh concerns. Uh we we this is the platform. Um so we appreciate you you bringing it up. So they don't thank you so much for for uh going through this. Um um if no one has any questions or concerns um you know I'm um I'm [clears throat] inclined to uh you know Mr. stated that you know he he followed process procedures um and everything according to our to our policy. Um, you know, he we we were every step of the way um every step of the way um we were making sure with our uh that our eyes
041were dotted and tees were crossed with with with um with with with the legal. So, I'm I'm okay accepting Mr. Dron's uh findings. And the finding is to uphold >> to uphold his decision. >> Am I allowed to make a comment? >> Um, you had three minutes. So, right now it's an it's on it's just the board. >> I just need to know where cards >> again. You had your three minutes, Miss Aola. Right now, it's it's it's a board's decision right now. So, Miss Aria, >> yes, >> Miss Clark, >> I agree to uphold Mr. Jo's ultimate decision, ultimate findings. >> Mio, >> I too I agree with his um determination and his findings and recommendation. >> Thank you. So um we want to thank you Mary for helping us um on this um
042I think it's first time in our district miss >> it's first time I know of >> first time >> to go all the way to the board >> mayor we appreciate your help um and everything through this and um we need to make a motion just need a motion to >> uphold Mr. Dron's decision >> make a motion to uphold Mr. Superintendent's um decision. >> Motion was made by Miss Elgado. >> Second by Miss Clark. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. We need a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Motion was made by Miss Gadio. >> Seconded by Miss Nay. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Motion carries. 633.