001the order the board meeting for November 12th, 2025. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. 3.1 Request to address the governing board. Nothing tonight. Moving on to 4.1, consideration of approval of the minutes for October 1st, 2025 study session and regular board meeting. Do I have a motion? Resolve. The governing board approves the minutes of the October 1st, 2025 study session and regular board meeting is presented. >> Second. >> Silk. Yes. >> Colton. Yes. >> Yes. >> 5.1 items. The medical academy and fire rescue pathway program. Mr. Nen. Good evening, President Actton, members of the governing board, and the Alria community. I am excited
002to present uh today um some new advancements in our academyy's transformation. And so the two pieces that I'll talk about today is our medical academy and fire and rescue overview. Okay. So I I won't read this for you. But uh as we go through the transformation, one of the things that we're focused on is looking at our data and determining what is high need, high wage, and then what are the workforce trends in the Southwest Valley and nationwide. And we know that healthcare careers is absolutely one of those areas that's a high wage, high need, and truly offers um a number of opportunities for our students to go in pathways both clinical and nonclinical. And so through this process we have determined that this would be one of themies uh that we want to move
003forward with. And so through that uh the first thing that we did is we went in and looked at exemplaries across the nation. So we made visits to Texas to look at the healthcare careers high school in San Antonio as well as school of health professions town view magnet center in Dallas. Both both of those schools were um medicalies that have been in existence for over 30 years. One being a fully comprehensive high school in its own site and the other one being a magnet school that was um housed in the same building with three or four additionalies. We went to see Francisco Bravo Magnet Medical Academy in Los Angeles. That was a great visit. We had an opportunity to see an exemplar medical academy. And what I didn't say in the work study is
004that the school is located right next to General Hospital. It is the same General Hospital that is in the soap operas. >> Um so >> I knew that I would have come. >> Yeah. So um but they are housed right next to the USC medical um uh complex. And so great opportunities. We got to talk to 20 different kids, walk through the campus, see their programs, um go through their biomed, which is one of theirmies, and it was just amazing to see uh the depth and breadth of the programs, uh to see where those students are at. All those students are in a completely immersive healthcare experience um with some of the benefits of being on a comprehensive campus such as clubs and sports and things like that. But those kids were amazing and it
005was great to talk to them about why they chose to go in that direction. And then we went to the Banner Medical Simulation Medical Center in Mesa. Banner is one of the largest healthc care systems here in the in Arizona. And so they have a simulation center that gave us great ideas on what this would look like um and what kind of careers and pathways really we should be aligning with uh as we go down this uh this program. So the medical academy will involve the following three distinct healthcaremies. One would be clinical degree seeking. So that's your RN, DDS, MD pathway. Uh the other would be your clinical certificated pathway. That's your pharmacy tech, your ultrasound tech, your surge tech, your medical assistant. Uh and then the last one would be is we know
006that there's a lot of individuals that love working in a health care space but don't necessarily want to be in a um clinical environment. And so that's technology, that is risk management, HR, finance, all those different as leadership um of a health care system and so we our pathway would focus on those nonclinical healthcare careers as well. A simulation lab similar to what we saw at Banner Medical Facility which would give students an opportunity to apply their skills in real time on site a public facing clinic partnering hopefully with partnering we have a number of partners in our medical consortium. So having the opportunity to partner with one of those partners on a forward- facing clinic where students would in real time have the opportunity to walk toward their internship in their field experience versus
007going to another facility. A comprehensive high school setup, a projected enrollment of 800 to a,000 students. And we're looking at a possible groundbreaking date of summer 2006 with an opening in 2028. >> Would all 10,00 kids be in this academy? All 10,00 kids would be in that school completely immersed in a healthcare environment in one of the three pathways. >> Um public facing clinic. Tell me a little bit what you want that to what what what's in your head. >> Awesome. Right. So um we So one of the places that we toured that I didn't put on here is we went to the sports performance facility that Banner has in Scottsdale. They only have one facility of its kind. They have a PT and OT clinic as a part of that facility. So imagine that
008our sports medicine and our physical therapy and occupational therapy students have an opportunity to work in a live clinic with real patients on their campus. And so the partner has a benefit because now they have a site or a location that's embedded maybe in a part of the valley that they don't currently occupy. And then the benefit for us is our students are literally going from I'm going from English class and I'm going to work three hours in the PT clinic and I'm working with live. >> Yes. Hands on. >> Yeah. Hands on. So So that's the medical academy. Now I'm going to invite two of my partners up to talk about our fire and rescue pathway. So I'm going to invite Chief Roads up and Courtney Rios from Rescue Ready. So, uh, Chief Rhodess
009is chief of Buckeye Fire, and I'm going to let him say a few words about why, um, this partnership is important to him and how this serves a need for Buckeye, and then Courtney will talk about our curriculum. So, what started as a just an opportunity to partner more with uh, the Augia School. We're building a fire station directly west of Verado High School. The initial thought was, hey, we'll fly your flag on game days. We'll show up to some events. will do that has evolved into exactly what we're doing now at Buckeye Union High School and that is actually teaching a fire administration program which is what this becomes. So for me personally it becomes a recruitment tool uh early access early exposure for students into possible career fields uh and prepares students combined
010with the EMS side uh prepares a workforce that's ready out of high school to go to work uh and is eligible to be to go into the workforce and be hired whether in fire service or EMS whichever they choose. Um, our role in this, um, from Rescue Ready Education, we're a nonprofit, so we do like the EMS portion of it. Buckeye Fire, we partner with them, they teach the fire aspect, we teach the medical side of things. So, um, by the time the students graduate from our program after those three years, they have their EMT, they have their fire one, fire two, their CPAT, anything that they might need in order to go leave the graduation of high school and apply to a fire station that they want to work for. Our goal really with
011this is to take kids that are in the Aubria school district and make homegrown talent. Homegrown kids that are going to go want to work for Buckey Fire because that's where they grew up and they want to serve the community that they grew up in. That's our goal. >> The other need is simply uh recruitment. Uh the numbers in public safety uh I know we saw several statistics earlier, but the numbers are down across law enforcement, EMS, public safety uh as a whole just experiencing low numbers. So fire chiefs have to start being a little more creative and do things that we haven't done in the past. Uh it used to be where we could just advertise, fly the flag, and you'd have thousands of applications uh from everywhere. It's not that anymore. So, we
012have to work a little bit harder, a little bit differently in the valley is no different than anywhere else. This is not a local problem. That's a national problem. So, we got to be a little bit more creative and we have some opportunities with partners to do exactly that. Start them early and uh get them back in our system. hopefully in our cadet program and our department if not our department other departments around the valley that can also use that uh those those individuals. >> All right any questions or comments >> all right thank you >> all right 5.2 Second reading of policy. Oh, I got so excited. So sorry. >> Be it resolved the governing board approve the medical academy and fire rescue pathway as presented. >> Second. >> Yes. >> Colton. Yes. >>
013Yes. >> Actton. Yes. All right. 5.2. Second reading of policy updates recommended by the trust model policy program. questions, no comments. >> Thank you again, President Actton, members of the board, superintendent, um, and our community. We'd be happy to entertain any questions that you might have since this is a second reading. >> Thank you for your assistance in answering all of my questions. >> All right. It resolve the board approves through second reading and final adoption the recommended board policies as attached here. Second >> Colton. Yes. >> Yes. Acting. Yes. Thank you. >> Um 5.3 adoption of 2026 2027 and 2027 2028 school calendars. I'm going to table this item um for tonight's meeting um until the proper um committees have been thoroughly um updated and you can present it at the next meeting. >>
014Yep. >> All right, we're moving on to our consent agenda. Anything anyone would like to discuss question? Um, I would like if we could pull 615 and 621. 615 is the graduation facility rental and 621 is the hilltop property >> I think those are both you aren't they? >> I'd be happy to discuss both of them. Thank you. your question on the graduation facility. >> Yes. First comment. Thanks so much for I see what you're putting together in planning five-year period of time. Thank you for all your work with that. You have an update just on all of that. >> Yeah, sure. So, um you know, as as you know, last year we had a little bit of a surprise regarding availability of our graduation facility. We don't want to be caught in that again.
015Um, previously we had procured our facility as a sole source procurement, meaning it was the only place that met our requirements somewhere close to the district, large capacity, indoors, great parking, all of those type things. Um, when they canceled on us, we had to scramble found Desert Diamond and since we were able to use them, it kind of proved that the other place wasn't sole source anymore. So now that triggered other procurement rules. So, all this is doing tonight is is we've gone through a procurement process through the save process, which means other districts will be able to piggyback upon what you might approve this evening. And um we sent this out to every venue there is. Um we have two responses. These are the two we have. We believe they're suitable responses. So, with
016your approval tonight, for the next five years, we could use either of these venues anytime we want for any event we want. So, if we want a meeting at one of these venues, we don't have to go through procurement. we can just use it. So, it allows us to do both. As you know, this year we've secured Desert Diamond Arena for our graduation though. >> Thanks for the update. >> And 6.20 6.21 >> 21. Sorry. Yeah. >> Um, on this specific one, my only question, which I wanted to leave open for you to comment about, um, has to do with the Hilltop facility, specifically related to the soils, the construction, uh, all of that. Might there be an update on that project that you have for us given it? >> Sure. So, um, we're moving
017right along and I think starting next month, we're going to start bringing you regular updates and construction photos and all that. Anyone that goes by there sees the great progress that's being made there. With multiple partners involved in this project, there have been a lot of logistical challenges though. Um we're just about to the point where we have all the permits we need and we're moving forward there. What triggered this agenda item tonight um in particular was we have excess dirt on our project. It is currently being stored on Lichfield Park property. They needed to move a little bit so that they can build their library. Sun Health has agreed to take it. Lichfield Park has said, "Can we get a three-way agreement amongst us?" Things like this come up periodically in this project with
018multiple entities. The challenge is is that the board has authorized the superintendent, myself, and Mr. Sheepard to sign contracts for the district and to execute them as long as we bring you the proper procurement information. Um, in this project, um, sometimes the city or Sun Health might say, "We really want to make sure your governing board's on on board with this." Sometimes if we wait till the following governing board meeting, it will literally result in a delay in the school opening. So, in this case where we want to allow or we want to move the dirt over to Sunhouse property with Lichfield's blessing because of drainage and things, we want to have your blessing to sign agreements like that going forward so that we can keep the project moving and not um endanger that opening
019date. >> I appreciate that. >> So, to a certain extent, you're just more formally giving us permission to do what we're already able to do. Thanks for the Thank you. >> No other questions or comments approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Yes. 7.1 comments andor information from the superintendent. >> Thank you uh President Actton um members of the board our free community. Uh I want to start by um congratulating um our partner district district that we have been working um with um to to bring some workforce development programs to our uh campuses. As you know, we we uh uh along with Westmech, we uh uh uh put together a program that where we have a trades uh career trades academy on the campus of our Fria. And uh recently um we have some uh
020great news to share that my partner uh Dr. Scott Spurgeon and uh some of his team over there um that work very hard. Megan Mills that used to work here uh Garrett um we their team worked extremely hard. um to be in a position where I think their bond uh will be certified as a victory really soon. So, congratulations to them. It was a tough environment to win in. Um uh Dr. Spurgeon has some great plans as you saw when he presented that to us in the um our last meeting that we actually held at the career academy. Uh want to say uh congratulations, great job and and we're uh supporting uh the Westmech team and all the things the great things they're going to do for kids in this southwest. Um the the other
021announcement I have is uh I'm I'm very um uh proud of the way our team at our Fria High School um responded to the tragedy that happened over the weekend. Um we lost a a family member, a student um in our district. Um it was extremely tragic. Um however, our team um worked hard. We had our district office crisis uh team and and safety director Robert Zamora. Um as you know uh uh communication with the board goes through Rachel Gross. Um Mr. Nalen um was working with uh Autumn Daniels and her team at our Fria uh to ensure that we were working with the family uh the police. Um Melinda Maris, our PI PIO, was working with the AIA district. Um and um it was a tough Saturday for for all of us. Um so
022uh but in these times uh we do have processes and protocols and uh we lead with with uh with open hearts and um with efficiency to to make sure that um um we do whatever we can to to support uh those that have been impacted by by some of these tragedies. So um this with that uh u we are still through uh Mr. uh knowledge office working with the families um to support them and our students and again very proud of the staff at at our free high school for um for um working through that that tough time. That's all I have >> 7.2 governing board members summary of current events or directions. Anyone want to go first? Because you know I'm gonna steal everything. >> Steal everything. Steal it. >> All right. I'll make
023it quick though. Um so I got to attend the Millennium High School Friday Night Lights and I got to meet some of our um seniors, life seniors, not necessarily the uh school seniors, but um so many happy people just happy to be there. And I'm really really proud of us as a district for events together to um recognize what they're doing for us because they have no idea the longlasting impact they're going to have and I just love how much they are into this program. So that was great. I was dodging some footballs the whole night but apparently it's a fun thing so we'll we'll just go with it. Um trying to go in order here. Um, I am so blessed that I got to attend the Westmart best of the West because we won
024an award that we did not know that we were going to win and that was really fantastic because I really do love winning. So, I'm really really proud of this district for getting that award and kudos to everyone that put in all the time and effort for theies in Southwest. Um, I just want to say a couple of things to um the teams that put on the Gala and the Veterans Day event. I mean, absolutely. Wow. I I haven't been to to any big events like that, but that was absolutely stunning quality. Just so much time and effort. Every thought was I mean, thoughts were put into every single detail. I could not believe how good that gala looked. I do have to The Veterans Day event was probably one of my favorite events I
025have been to in a very, very long time. And I've been to a lot of events and that one I did not stop with the goosebumps. Not only were was the programming stellar, just incredible. But the flow and the people that were involved, just every single detail that was put into that. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you to the team that put on those events because wow, I was absolutely blown away and I think I'm going to have family and friends because I can't stop talking about it. >> Thank you. >> What else are we supposed to say? >> She took it all. I gave you the option. >> It's all good. Well, thanks for sharing those things. Uh the gala was amazing. Um Veterans Day was uh a neat thing. I mean, as
026a as a child of a um military veteran. That was a moving event. Um, loved loved that. Um, sometimes in life you run across things and just encounter things when you least expect it. Um, I had the opportunity of going through a local newspaper and what I was really pleased about is that it showed of a new initiative that our superintendent happens to be starting and it's called the academic superstars and it's kind of nice to see our superintendent in a suit on a newspaper and it just talks about all the different neat new things that are coming for academic superstars which are kids all around our school district. So, thanks for beginning that. That's a really neat thing. Uh let's see. It's the uh nearing the end of fall sports season. Obviously, we have
027teams that are in the playoffs and best wishes to them. For those that have already uh ended their seasons, maybe with a playoff loss or maybe didn't make the playoffs, congratulations to all those student athletes who went out and balanced uh their grades, doing a great job with their studies as well as enjoying some extracurricular activities uh related to sports and athletics. Best wishes to them. Also, I'm really excited about this time of the year because come Thanksgiving and December and January and February, we start to see a lot more on the theater, um the arts side of things at our schools. So, I look forward to those events. I know, uh Desert Edge has a theatrical event coming up here soon. Um so, a lot of great things going on. um a lot of
028wonderful and then I saw in the uh the various trips we've got students uh traveling for National Honor Society um around our country. Really neat to see those things happen. Um and then last I think one of the neatest parts was I had a chance on Monday um to go out to the Arts Academy and Theater and walk the property with Danny Velasco as well as Mr. Eastless and representatives from McCarthy and um to see from the soil what's come about at this point. It's pretty amazing to be able to see the structure of specialized classrooms. Um to see a theater that's forming and what it's going to ultimately look like. I think we could all pretty well picture it uh if we were there. U it was an amazing experience. So exciting. I had
029to ask about the Hilltop because it's a pretty amazing project that's coming forth. So if you get a chance, go and see it. Thanks. >> Um so I will celebrate and agree with Sarah on the Westark and Masquerade was able to attend those events with her as well. Um another event that I attended was um a partnership with EMCC collecting or partnering with Microsoft Office. And I was reflecting on when we were hiring a new superintendent uh that we really felt was important is building these relationships uh with our schools and our community. And it wasn't a partnership in which Alfredo was front facing holding on to a check. We were there to support the partnership between Microsoft Office and Austral. I was able to attend the partners in progress meeting that was here or
030miss updates uh partners in our progress to what's happening gives a sneak peek to what's happening and um those those people are really valued and feel important whenever they come and then um it is second quarter uh educators have the most to do in the few amount of days that we have. We're coming up with a couple big breaks. I hope that everyone gets some time to rest, rejuvenate, and enjoy their family. And then, um, I heard that Mr. Eastless and AJ put the tree up, the angel tree out in the lobby, um, together today. So, and there's already angels on it as well. So, congratulations for you for getting a kickstart. So, not even Thanksgiving, and you've got it up in the overachievers. Um, I also was able to attend the Friday night lights
031getting out and meeting um our seniors who give so much of their time and um love and enthusiasm to our high school seniors is just great. And so having that night to thank them and honor them and show them how much we appreciate it was great. Um the masquerade fundraising galot I think exceeded everyone's expectations. Looking forward to that. Um to continue to be an annual event um just showstopping. The veterans breakfast always makes me cry. I'm so honored to be there and proud of our district for hosting such a wonderful event. Um, as far as our schools and all of you who take care of our children, I know that two crisis teams were activated this week on two campuses and I hope everyone is just continuing to take care of themselves because if
032you're not taking care of yourself, you can't take care of our students. So, please give yourself that time. Um, because we appreciate you and need you. So, All I have um any request for future agenda items? >> I do. So on uh 6.11 it looked like that we have approved some pay in there and there for students um who are leading the way for communicating with our students on FA. So I'm sure this would come up with some of those superstars. I would love to have those students come and present where we are in um in the district on how many kids have signed up for FASA. I think the goal is to have 50% of kids in Arizona signed up by December or something. So it would be nice to hear about the efforts
033that they are um having our kids participate. >> I've got just one to throw out here. >> Um Every time a school district becomes an academy school district like ours, there are some logistical challenges that come as a result of having programs that are select programs. You know, you think about the the uh Hilltop Arts Academy. There are going to be students that are potentially going to be applying for opportunities to go to those campuses. I'm excited because the arts academy is going to be the first one that's going to have students apply to want to be a part of certain programs at the academy. So, I brought that up just to say I'd be really interested in information as to, you know, like when we went to Los Angeles to see the medical academy,
034um what it might be that's starting to be formed as to, you know, for the application, what might be some prerequisites, things that we might look there's great qualities for students to be in those programs. Also, you know what I think the part about the Los Angeles trip was to hear that they had a criteria and then they had a way to determine who was selected and who wasn't selected. I thought that was f the fascinating part of that medical trip because that's the logistical tough part is that when you start select entry type programs like this it's like oh man we can't take a 100% of all the students and so I thought I I know that you guys are working on it. I'm just excited to hear about it because I know our
035kids are tuning up a bit to get in. >> All right. Well, we'll look at maybe how we can add that. >> Sure. If there's nothing else to get resolved board meeting. >> Second. >> Yes. >> Acting. Yes.