001Let the record reflect that all board members are present with the exception of Mr. Sca. And we'll stand for the pledge of allegiance. Thank you. Um, our first item is A2 and I will move to um adopt the agenda as presented. >> I second. I'm a Yes. >> Is this the time to make a motion to um pull an item? >> Yes. >> Would be okay. I wanted to pull the item uh F1 for the recommendation to approve um middle school and high school uh courses. >> So there is a motion and a second on the floor. >> There is >> that would need to either withdraw the motion or if it fails then be further motion. I will uh Yeah. Okay. I will withdraw my motion to allow um the the second one. Go
002ahead. >> Okay. I just like to make a motion to pull F7 from the consent agenda. And it's the recommendation to approve um middle school and high school courses. Is there a second? And just for clarification, that's a motion to pull that one and approve everything else. >> Discuss it later. Discuss it. >> Yep. Okay. >> Action discussion and approve everything else. Correct. >> Yes. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? >> No. >> Motion carries. Now we seeing what's on my screen right now. Am I making another motion for this? >> Am I moving on? Sorry. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Perfect. Okay. Uh next up we have item uh B1. Dr. Croto. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, tonight we have some special
003guests with us and we're looking forward to it. And Mr. Mui will introduce our guest. >> Thank you, Madam President, members of the board, Dr. Croto and guests. Uh, we're very excited tonight to have the Willow Canyon Choir here with us. They've all dressed up in their Wildcat gear and, uh, they're under the direction of Mr. Logan McDonald and we get to be, uh, entertained with some with a performance. So, take it away, Mr. McDonald. >> Oh my gosh. Thank you so much for having us you guys. Uh like you said, I'm Logan McDonald. I have the pleasure of being the choir director out at Willow Canyon High School. Uh this is our top show choir, Evolution. Uh and tonight we're going to perform the ballad from our fall show choir set. Uh this is
004a story about three young men whose lives are changing and they're not quite sure how to deal with those changes and and as they as they leave their hometown, they're trying to forge their own path. um and they're particularly struck by some poetry that they've been reading and this song is about them kind of taking that in and trying to either connect with it or find a different path. So, we are proud to present uh this song. It's called Great Expectations and yeah, thank you so much for having us and we hope you enjoy. Excuse me. I can't seem to let it go. [Music] died and left him all alone. Came one faithful day while standing at his parents' grave and offered him another way to climb. And now I wonder [Music] these great revelations.
005[Music] Am I the one in control? Is it all determined. Am I playing a role? For his way up in the world, everyone knew he'd go like [Music] how a dream falls apart. Johnny had no kind of in this world, not from where he's started. [Music] I look around at all of my friends and still I feel alone. I would follow them to battle, but their stories not my own. They say there's strength in numbers, but they never think at all about the path that leads you out beyond these sea walls. I've got great expectations. Greatations. [Applause] Great expectations. [Applause] Great. [Applause] [Music] It's hard to write the story [Music] not yours when your full of creases and you see that the greases telling a story, but you've read that one before. So you fight
006just to show them that you're not all the same. That under the cover there's more. [Music] And I want to give a quick shout out to our soloists, uh, Samuel Thingman and Zach McIntyre. Well done by you guys. Again, thank you guys so much for having us and letting us sing for you. Uh, our show with this set in it is December 11th and 12th, and we'd love to have you so you can see uh where this journey takes these young kids. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful night. >> Thank you so much for the incredible performance. Very powerful. Just amazing. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. McDonald. >> All right. You get the joy of trying to follow that um with B2. Dr. Croto. >> Well, I think Miss Spideyel can sing quite well,
007so we're going to see. Um she's actually going to sing appraises of her finance department. So, we received some awards for uh fiscal responsibility and Miss Spidell will will take that. >> Thank you. Um Dr. Croto. Wow, I'm still choked up. Good evening, Madam President, members of the board. Um Dr. Cotto, cabinet and community. Correct. Tonight, I am very proud to share that the district has once again been awarded both the Association of School Business Officials as well as the government finance officers association certificates of excellence in financial reporting. And so that's related to our fiscal year 2024, our annual comprehensive financial report. Um, and every year we do submit our financial reports for review. It goes through an extensive review to this external panel and they just ensure that it that the U financials
008meet the high standards of their program for financial transparency that it meets all the various requirements and so it is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. So we are very proud to continue to receive that. This is the 30th year for our Asgo International and then the 21st year for the GFOA. So obviously we are very proud of the district's commitments to that financial management. Um and I would like to thank they are in the audience tonight our finance department under the direction of Miss Francancy Wolf Bowman. They are really the ones that just do the heavy lifting on this and so they just make sure all the required information is captured and the standards are accurate. So we will be proudly displaying our two awards in the uh the
009cases there in the boardroom lobby for for public viewing. Congratulations, [Applause] Miss Spidell, and the whole finance team. We appreciate all the work that you put into this. >> We would like to get a picture with the governing board if possible. And Miss Fidel and the finance team, have them come on up for a good picture. >> We'd love to. >> You thought you were getting out of it. Okay, next up we have item C1 and I'll hand it over to our uh board clerk for this evening, Miss Destish. >> This is a time for the public to comment. Members of the board may not discuss items that are not specifically identified on the agenda. Pursuant to ARS 38 TAC431.01H, action taken as a result of public comment will be limited to directing staff to
010study the matter responding to any criticism or scheduling the matter for further consideration and decision at a later date. In order to facilitate accomplishing the business of the district in a timely manner, a time limit of 3 minutes will be imposed for each individual or group addressing the board. When you approach the podium, please state your name for the record. And first up, we have Johnny Meltton. Thank you, madam board president, governing board members, Dr. Croto and admin. My name is Johnny Melton of Surprise City Council. Thank you for letting me speak tonight. I thought it was important. It's been a while since I've been up here, but is thought it was important to come and uh let you know how much uh this community appreciates you, how much I appreciate all the wonderful things
011the USD is doing. Um what a wonderful news. Dr. Cronto, congratulations to your finance team on the GFOA recognition. Uh thank you for keeping the financial order and keeping our bond rating good. Appreciate that. Uh the district is doing so much more. We appreciate your outreach, your community outreach with the with the tours going around the community giving dyer uh school tours. I think tomorrow is I believe El Mrage if I recall reaching out to that community. Um the levels what you guys do doing that is very important. reaching out to the community um to help educate and just to let everybody know, you know, how they can be involved. Helping reaching out to these parents and asking them and showing them what they can do, what they what steps they can take to be
012involved in their in this district and and to their students. I also appreciate uh the wonderful work that you, Dr. Croto, and your staff have done on the upcoming bond, the bond formulation. Uh this is we are we are very lucky in this community where we have a board and an administration that takes this responsible serious to ask the public uh to float a bond not for not for wants but for needs and to to float that package to layer it uh correctly so that it does not negatively impact the taxpayers. Um, I just again I nothing but just want to sing your praises to let you know how much uh how much confidence that I have in this board and and this administration and I hope you guys keep up the good work. Um,
013and you you are representing our community very well. And I yield my time. Thank you, Madam Board President. >> Thank you. Next up, we have uh Miss Lisa Everett. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight, Madame President, Dr. Croto, Ward, and staff. I really appreciate it. I am just here also to sing the praises of Daart. Uh, Madame President and Superintendent Croto, you've been here the longest and I just want to say it is so amazing how far Daart has come and I look forward to how far we're going to continue to climb. You guys uh put fiscal responsibility first and you put the students first. I am so proud to be in a district where we spend our dollars in the classroom looking out for our students, getting them the best
014education possible. I've sat here and listened to so many teachers and principles approach the mic talking about real classroom classroom progress and that's important. We need to see that progress and you guys are showing us and I greatly appreciate you taking the time and teachers taking the time to come up here because they're not getting paid for it to talk about how great things are going in the classroom. I also strongly support the bond and I would hope all of our residents support the bond. Our children deserve the very best we can give them. That doesn't mean the shiniest buildings. It means the best effort in the classroom, the best training for our teachers, and the best results at the end of the day. So, thank you for all the work all of you are
015doing. >> Thank you. And it was just the two speakers. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Thank you. Next we have student update. Dr. Cto. >> Thank you, Madam President. Tonight we do have a student update and Mr. Musei will introduce our guest. >> Thank you, Madam President, members of the board. Dr. Croto. Uh yes, tonight we have uh Ben Trong from Shadow Ridge High School. He's joining us again to give us an update on the uh Daar Student Council and tell us what's going on out there in that world. Um, good evening madame president and governing board Dr. Croto and cabinet. My name is Ben Trong and I am the senior class president at Shatter Rich High School and president of our own district leadership committee. We have held our second meeting on September 10th
016focusing on the productivity and activity of each of our schools for our first month back to the school year. During the meeting, we discussed our biggest event coming up, homecoming, and start to plan our district-wide food event. Across the district, school spirit is thriving as each campus continues to celebrate the start of an amazing year. Shadows Shadow Flies back homecoming drew an incredible crowd of 1300 students. One of the largest and most celebrated dances in recent memory, praised by both students and staff as one of the best dances our school has ever held. Valus has been preparing for their upcoming homecoming dance on 10:24 while also being hard at work planning their soast fundraiser and de and decorating and celebrating their football student sections. Willow Canyon is celebrating its homecoming and homecoming parade on September
01720th with many of its campus clubs showcasing their creativity through floats that highlighted the campus's diverse clubs. They're also preparing for a powderpuff game that brings seniors and juniors together in a fun matchup against one another. Daizar also celebrated their first spirit week and homecoming with great success and tons of participation from the entire campus as well as their first blood drive. At Sundown Mountain, student leaders are creating meaningful community connections by partnering with Elmarrage Elementary to tutor students twice a week and launching blue grams and a potential haunted house for October to keep the festive spirit alive. Finally, across all campuses, our district is joining forces for the Valley View Community Food Bank drive from October 20th to October 31st. Every high school, middle school, and elementary school campus in Daizart will participate, showcasing
018the unity, generosity, and the heart of our community. Together, our schools together are showing that our campuses are going strong as we finish off the first quarter of the school year to show that we are able to show that we are leaders both on campus and within our community. Thank you. Wonderful update. Thank you so much. >> Okay, moving to item D2, superintendent update. Dr. Croto. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh, just two quick updates and Councilman Melton already uh alluded to one. Tomorrow is our uh community tour, community connection tour um for the Elmarrage um city. So we have um a great number of people signed up and we will be starting at Daart High School then to Daart Middle School and then to El Mirage Elementary. So we are very excited starting 8:00
019here in this in this room and we're very excited to share our district um with the community and then next week I just want to wish everybody a great fall break next week um a safe fall break and hope everybody gets some great rest and has a little fun in the awesome weather. So that's all I have. Thank you. Uh next we have governing board update. >> Uh I visited uh the Rancho Gabriella Elementary School today uh with the teachers, staff, parents, students, and administration. I heard a lot of positive feedback from everyone. Uh parents were very appreciative with the individual education programs for the special ed students and they teachers uh stated that they communicate very well with the new staff and teachers. That's all I have. Okay. Um I attended the home foot
020uh football game at Valley Vista uh on September 26th. In addition to it being a great game, um I'm still a band mom at heart. So, I thoroughly enjoyed sitting near the marching band on their incoming freshman night and it was really cool to see all of the future Valley Vista band students learning from their future peers in the stands and just seeing the current Valley Vista students displaying true leadership skills as they instructed and cheered on the younger students in their craft. And uh I am also really looking forward to our community connection tour to happening tomorrow in Elmarrage. And I just love that we are inviting our community in, encouraging future engagement and volunteer partnerships. And that is all I have. All right, moving forward to item E1. >> You need to refresh
021real quick. >> Oh, we're going to refresh. Yep. >> Um I do >> Can she get some technical assistance? No, she doesn't have the >> the thing. Right. Why is that still there? Okay, assuming that mine did refresh, um I move to approve consent agenda items as presented. >> Okay. >> I second. Okay, motion carries. Okay, moving to uh information discussion G1. Dr. Croto. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh tonight we have Mrs. Jennifer McClennon uh our district attorney here to present information on mandatory reporting as it relates to the governing board members. So, welcome and thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President, members of the governing board, Dr. Croto, cabinet, and guests. I have two topics to present with you tonight. I would welcome questions. Uh you're free to interrupt me. Uh this
022time is for you so that you can gain some professional development from your legal team. So without further ado, I'm going to get into the first topic, which is about mandatory reporting obligations. So my goal here is just to describe what the mandatory requirements are. The reason that you are having this presentation tonight is that as of September 26th, the legislature has mandated that governing board members are also mandatory reporters under the law. So your superintendent thought it would be important for you to have this training. Um, I'm also going to roll out this training and this presentation probably through a webinar feature to your p to your administrators as well, although they have been annually trained in the mandatory reporting laws on an annual basis prior. So, what is the requirement? The requirement is
023that if you have a reasonable belief that a minor is or has been the victim of a physical injury, abuse, child abuse, or a reportable offense or neglect, you are required to report that matter. Reportable offense is a term of art under the law. It's defined in statute and essentially means any allegation or concern that one of the sex crimes has occurred with a minor. Uh reporting requirements kick in if you believe that a child's been subject to a nonacal physical injury. If that um injury has occurred um then that is a form of abuse. These are other examples listed on the board. So it can include both a physical injury, physical abuse or neglect, failure to care for the child. Physical injury has a very low threshold, sometimes surprisingly low. It is basically any
024mark that is intentionally left on a minor. So it would include bruising, swelling, uh, and of course more serious injuries as listed above. You you have two obligations as a board member. You would are required to report it to either local law enforcement, the Department of Child Safety, and or tribal authorities. And then you also, if it is regarding an individual who works in schools, you're required to report it to the state board's investigative unit. Typically, that function is carried out by your human resources department. Um and I have confirmed with the state board investigators that if uh the individual who receives the information provides it to HR and confirms that a report is made that does meet the obligations the statutoily >> I'm sorry. Yes ma'am. >> So just to clarify so if I
025go and um I see something and I go to Dr. CRO or to our HR head and report that is that's all I need to do or do I need to follow up and verify that they've taken it the step further? >> It's a very good question. So if you receive information directly as a board member, you become the mandatory reporter. With respect to that report to local law enforcement, it remains your obligation. With respect to that report to the state board of education, you need to loop in Mr. Mattingly, but if you report what you've heard to Dr. Croto, the staff at Daart Unified will assist the governing board members in making the mandatory report. For instance, if you were required to make it to the Department of Child Services, um there is a
026whole process in place and information that you would need to have ahead of time before you would go ahead and make that. So, you certainly are never going to be on your own, but it's a very important question that you raised because the obligation is personal to the reporter. >> Roger that. Thank you. >> Okay. I have a quick question on this um just because it's something that we hear more frequently in um other districts where things are not necessarily reported. Um as I just want to make sure that I fully understand. So if if the district tells me about maybe an incident or an possible investigation and they say that they have reported it to the state board, that's that's all that needs to happen. I don't need to like double check that as
027a mandatory reporter or something like that. Right. >> That's a very good question as well, Miss Dunmore. If you if you know that your administrators have already reported the matter, you do not have to double up. You're not required to also report So um but if you are receiving the information directly >> then that's something where your duties would kick in. >> So let me give you an example. Um we had an example in another school district recently where a report was made that the an employee was abusive to children and it was made via a letter and the letter was anonymous and it went to all governing board members and the superintendent. Well, the district followed even though it was anonymous, even though you know it was sent to all five individuals plus the
028superintendent, the district followed up with its mandatory reporting obligations and the superintendent was the one who carried that forward. So, that would be an example of when, you know, it could be done by the administration. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Um, the statutory language requires individuals to immediately report um especially to law enforcement. It is um again insufficient for staff if they are the ones who are observing a child uh or who a child's revealed to a staff member that they've been injured or subject to neglect. Um that staff member um your local police departments want that staff member to immediately make the report so that they can come onto campus and and do the investigation before the students leave school. the we discussed the reporting to the state board that's required now for both
029your support staff and your certified staff. Um if you general good rule of thumb is that if you have to report to law enforcement you're going to also have to report to the state board of education if the individual is employed by the schools and the district is also required to make reports if they are accepting the resignation of someone in lie of termination. Um there is immunity for anyone who makes a report. You have statutory immunity. you cannot be um sued for it. Um but on the reverse side, failing to comply with the statutes is a misdemeanor if you fail to report child abuse and and a felony for failure to report one of the adverse sex crimes. There have been changes in the law that I I said were effective September 26th. Um
030they change both statutes that we're talking about. Um the essential change is that a report to a school resource officer will not satisfy the requirements. um of making that mandatory report and that language is repeated in both of the statutes. Um it also changes what school resource officers can do if they are the initial individual receiving information from a child. They have the a limited ability to question the um changes in the law essentially want the school resource officers and the community to employ county protocol regarding a multilateral approach to the investigation of child abuse. So um initially SRO's are to make minimal questions. If the matter gets reassigned to the SRO that might change. So um I have met with different jurisdictions. They've all indicated that um because you can't report to the SRO,
031the right number to call is dispatch. Uh we've already worked through some of these issues with your administration. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office was in support of the legislation that was passed. Um and they've also recommended that if you if it's possible and the SRO's on campus to make the mandatory report with the SRO in the office and then the local um jurisdiction that you're calling dispatch um whether that be the city of Surprise, the city of Almarrage, whatever jurisdiction you're in, um they can they can decide with the SRO the best uh point of contact for the school district. And I would also note that you're you should be taking down the number and the um time that you call the um non-emergency report line because they are not going to have an automatic
032ticketing system. The multi-disiplinary protocol that I talked about is in Maricopa County is a very robust document. It's 225 pages long. It talks about minimizing the number of times a child's interviewed. um ensuring that the most appropriate personnel are doing a forensic interview if required for the student both to minimize trauma to the child victim and to preserve your ability to prosecute the case. And so staff are instructed and you would be as well as mandatory reporters to only get the most basic information. Um what happened, who did it, where were you, when was it, and then you stop the inquiry and let the authorities take over. um that doesn't preclude you from accepting if a child is um discussing a matter with you, you don't have to stop the child from talking, but you
033do need to maintain the information separately. And if staff get a report in from a reliable source, they are not supposed to reinter the child to confirm the information that was given to a third party. Um once coord once you pass the information off to law enforcement, the law enforcement may take the student to the advocacy centers for a forensic interview. Um they may ask you for records. um they may um indicate that they're going to inform the family, not the school district. So um your your staff will be trained on all of these methods if they have not been already. Um these are your policies that apply. They're in chapter 4 and they've been revised um to address um your new role as mandatory reporters. And then there are links within the um presentation
034to both the county protocol that I discussed as well as mandatory reporter training that is mandated by law for the department of child safety to create. Any other questions that I haven't answered? >> Thank you very much. This is a great training presentation. But >> I have a quick question. >> Sorry. >> Of course. when we're supposed to um ask the four questions, do we do that with the administration there, with family there? Are we supposed to be doing that on our own with the SRO? >> That That's a good question. So, the four questions that you would be permitted to ask would be if you personally observed that a student was subject to what you think is a non-acal injury or you personally or the student comes forward to you as a trusted community
035member and discloses whatever if if so if the self-disclosure occurs or you are observe this issue then you would only ask those four questions it's going to be much more applicable in the school setting and school staff know know this they I bet all these people in this room have been trained on just asking the bare minimums be so that you can then turn over to authority what you know but you don't uh mess up the investigation by delving too much. And Miss Havari, if I can have the second presentation up. So, while we're you get uh two for the price of one here, we thought we'd do some open meeting law training just since I was out here anyway to do this. Um and so we're going to go quickly through a presentation on
036the open meeting law. So, um we'll start with the why. Why do we have the open meeting law? Um well first the first and most important reason is so that I can hear performances like the Willow Canyon. So having a public meeting and allowing me to remember why I help serve school districts is very thank you very much for including that in your public meetings. Um but the the real reason why you have open meetings is so that the members of the public can observe and take part in the governmental process that you all are doing. Um to allow the public to react to choices you're making and to give public comment. Um, the public includes the community that you serve, parents, students, employees, taxpayers, vendors, contractors, residents, non-residents, and as you know in uh
037the public is available to watch your meetings on YouTube. So, they may not always be present in your boardrooms, but they certainly have access to what you're doing. Um, there are other, it's a part of what you call the sunshine laws. So, there are other laws in our government that require public access to governmental functions. They include the Arizona's public records act. you have a number of requirements about public hearings. Um, there's transparency laws in your campaign financing. So, those are all part and parcel of the same idea. Um, when in favor, the attorney general's office will lean towards requiring openness and transparency. Um, this is required if you're having a meeting. A meeting is a quorum of the board. You're a five member board. So, three of you make a quorum and it's at
038any time when three of you would be discussing, proposing, or taking legal action. That can be at special meetings. It can be at board retreats. It can be at work study sessions. It doesn't really matter what you call it, but if three of you are in the room together to do official business, that's a board meeting. Um, it would also include one-way communication. A one-way proposal of legal action is um considered to be a violation of the open meeting law, even if no one responds to it. Um, which is why we're very careful with our email communications in the district. Um, if you if you're having an electronic exchange, that could also be a meeting. Accidental meetings. Probably the the worst one I was was we had went baby lawyer long time ago. We had
039a very disruptive board meeting at last past midnight and I walked out. Three board members followed me and then we stood under a spotlight and they said, "What are we going to do about the superintendent?" And I said, "You're talking to the school lawyer. Three of you are right here. Like, didn't don't you didn't you just hear me?" Right? So, that's that was an accidental meeting. They didn't mean to follow me out to the parking lot. Well, maybe they did, but that was, you know, not allowed, right? Um, that's another reason why you have soft postings. You want to make sure that your community knows that three of you might be together at a graduation, a function, um, that amazing, uh, Willow Canyon show that's coming up in December, but you're not going to talk
040about board business. Um, so that's what the open meeting law requires. um as we talked um that it can be violated even if the three of you aren't or three or more of you are not together in a room. Um so if you have serial conversation board member A talks to board member B who talks to board member C then that's you know little bit of telephone tag there or daisy chain or whatever you want to call it it's not allowed similarly if you're funneling all your thoughts through Dr. Croto and Dr. Croto is funneling them back to you what other board members think. I never I know Dr. Croto would never do that, but if he did, that would also be like a hub and spoke example when that's not permitted either. Um, superintendent,
041board members, um, members of the public, your cabinet, myself can all be found to have violated the open meeting law. So, you'll find your administrators being very cautious about that, not telling you what other board members think. And there's a reason for that. They can also be subject. Um, another precaution that's always in place is using um, blind copy now or not allowing the board members to reply to all on emails. You also should refrain from discussion on social media. So, if you have a personal Facebook and you're friends with board members, that's fine, but if you start your own group chat, that wouldn't be. So, uh, group texting is also problematic. It applies to all subcommittees of the board. um textbook adoption committees are specifically required to follow open meeting law, but if you
042create a committee, that committee is also required. There can be sometimes when a committee is created and it's really being behind the scenes directed by the board and that can be problematic. Um so for instance if you're serving on the committee or on the dis you tell the superintendent to create a committee that could create an indisha that that's really a board committee and not a superintendent committee because the superintendent is permitted to have task force committees that report to him to allow the functioning and the administration of your very large district. Um so that's uh you know the way that you have a cabinet for instance. It's not they don't have to follow open meeting law. That's a committee that reports to your superintendent and helps him with the administrative duties. Um, so these
043would be examples of different kinds of committees that the board could create. If you do create those committees, they would have to follow open meeting law. Open meeting law requires that you post your notices. Um, that you have meetings in a public facility. Um, you can have meetings off district premise. There was there was a proposal in the state legislature to forbid that this year. It didn't pass. Um, but that is something that people look at. So, you should exercise caution if you're having a meeting off off district outside your boundaries. Um, I would try to make it anformational meeting and not take board action. Um, notices have to be posted physical physically and electronically. You have one site where it's supposed to be posted. I suspect it's right out there outside the district office.
044Um, and then you have other requirements to post as reasonable. Um, 24 hours in advance. um and delivery to you 24 hours in advance. Um the agenda has to discuss what's going to be decided at the meeting. You're only allowed to discuss topics that are on the agenda or directly related to the agenda item. So, you have to be careful about drifting into other subjects. Um the attorney general's office wants the agenda to read so that any person off the street can understand what you're going to be voting on. Um you're required to take written minutes. These are the requirements of it. um you know you're including the vote. Sometimes you have to take a roll call vote such as with certain kind of budget matters and certain kind of passing. So you have to
045do that. Um there isn't any requirement that you approve minutes but most governing boards do. They do have to be available if you create them within three working days. The public has the right to attend and listen to your board meetings. They have the right to um record them by video or audio as long as it's not obtrusive. and they have to write to address the m members of the public if you include a call to the public on your agenda. Um they >> can you define obtrusive? >> Sure. Um so if you have someone who's sitting there holding their phone up videotaping you that would be fine. >> Um but if they are walking around in front of the podium with a body cam on that would not be fine in my opinion. So
046those that would be what I would say. Um and you can you can um if you have a call to the public, you can create time, place, and manner restrictions with respect to that. Um so, but you can't um you can't police the conduct of what someone's saying. So, and you're prohibited from having a discussion with the speakers one-on-one. You can ask that items just as uh your board clerk just read in the call to the public prior. Thank you for doing that. Um, you can ask that items be placed on a future agenda item. You can ask them to the superintendent to address the speaker's concerns. And you can respond to direct criticism. Did you have a question? >> So, we're discussing right now when the public's speaking to us. Correct. >> Correct. >>
047Okay. Thank you. >> Correct. Call to the public. Um, you can make you can do these three things at the end of call to the public. So it the attorney general's office has specifically opined that you cannot respond to criticism during someone's speaking time or even during the course of the speakers if you have multiple speakers. You're supposed to wait till the very end. Um and then you've you've done this. So you again you can't block you can't make be viewpoint discriminatory as a government body. So you cannot tell someone they can't speak because you don't care for what they're saying. Um and we've discussed all of these other items. Um current event summary. So um it you all have a current event summary section on your uh or board update is what you all
048call it that's appropriate and allowed under the open meeting law. It's carved out for superintendents and board members. Um other types of reports like if you wanted your um cabinet level officer to make reports, they would actually have to be listed on the agenda and specifically addressed. Um, it should be limited to making um, comments about the types of things that you have enjoyed over the time period prior to the last board meeting, what events you've attended, what professional development you've brought out, perhaps a staff recognition. Um, but it should not be a matter for bringing up items that are not otherwise on the agenda, matters of substance that concern board business. Executive sessions. You can have an executive session which means a meeting out of the public eye for a listed purpose in the
049open meeting law. These are in 38431.03. I think there's up to 11 of them now. Very limited purposes. You can't take legal action. You can't make motions in executive session, but you can instruct third parties to negotiate real estate or instruct your employee organizations or instruct your attorney. So, you can provide direction by consensus. Um, if you have an employee that you're going to discuss, they get 24 hours notice prior. They don't specifically have the right to attend, but typically the board will extend that courtesy. Um, and they superintendent evaluations often cur executive sessions. That's an example. If you are obtaining legal advice, you have to have an attorney there. That seems like a no-brainer, but I've been I've had districts that were in violation of that, especially when they had an attorney on the
050board. they thought that person could kind of work uh work their magic, but that attorney general's office did not allow that. Um, student discipline matters can be heard in exec and discussed in exec and the exec session minutes are confidential, not available to the members of the public. Um, and they are subject to review by the varying authorities. If there is an attorney general investigation, you can meet and this is a public meeting now, not not an executive session. you could meet with less than 24 hours if you have an emergency. Very rare that that's going to happen. Um did happen during COVID. So, um not I don't think with DARP, but with other districts. So, if you're having a virtual meeting, you do want to make sure that links are posted, disabling the chat
051feature, that everybody can see it. Um and so, and that you're monitoring, having somebody monitor to make sure the streaming is working. Um if you do mess up and it has happened before that board skip something or something goes wrong. Um there is a ratification process under the open meeting law that you can do it is specific and you would get legal help before you would do it but you have to post a certain thing and say that you're ratifying. So I've had that like with their technical outages or um you know where for various reasons that were not um the fault of the board but something went wrong you can fix it later. The attorney general's office enforces the open meeting law. County attorney has authority. Citizens can bring lawsuits. Uh but in general,
052it's the attorney general's office who enforces that. If they issue a finding adverse to the district, there really isn't an appeal rate. Um but they're the attorney general's office considers it to be, you know, with this is our finding and this is what we want you to do to correct the finding. Um they consider it to be sort of like a directed settlement offer. Um, they have in the past, my experience, required trainings, required compliance monitoring, required that you post what happened, the violation. They have instituted financial penalties, uh, $500 for a second offense, $2,500 for each next one. I have had at least one board member have to pay that out of pocket. Um, they ultimately do have the authority to remove board members from office. I've experienced that once in my career, a
053long, long time ago. Um, and then of course there's negative public relations associated with any open meeting law concern questions. >> You you mentioned the um voidable actions, the ratification process. >> Yeah. >> Um I'm it's probably I should probably be reading this literally, but I just want to make sure. So the action it says legal action taken in violation of open meeting law is void. Is it only legal action? Um, that is a very good question. So, if you had a discussion about um something that wasn't on the agenda, you wouldn't need to fix it because it was just a discussion. But if you took action at a board, so let's say one example is a board meeting doesn't get posted, okay? and for whatever reason you don't aren't aware that it hasn't been
054posted on the public website and you know and it wasn't properly posted outside and you're unaware of that. You come to the board meeting and you go through your regular meeting and it's open and transparent but you learn later that it wasn't posted. Well, all of those actions are void any if you did that you could ratify the entire meeting but you would have to go through this process. So it it could be that you have >> you couldn't ratify a comment or a piece of a discussion. >> No, you it would only be a process to fix it. So that because you are the statutory agent that acts for Daart Unified School District. You act to employ. You act to terminate employment. You're going to act to approve financials. So if any of those
055things that you're required to do by statute to make the district run are void because you did them wrong, right? >> That would be it. But not for a comment or a discussion. >> Okay. >> So if I'm hearing this correctly, if we did a meeting and for some reason it did not post up and so forth, anything that we voted on at that meeting would be void. Is that correct? and we would have to bring it back and have Okay, thank you. >> Could be. And so what I mean by not posting, I mean the notice of the agenda were not posted so that so the individuals didn't have 24 hours notice, not that your YouTube channel goes down. Okay, >> that's what I mean. So if you if you hold this meeting and
056it doesn't get recorded, that doesn't violate your meeting. As long as you 24 hours in advance, the members of the public knew that they could come and talk if they wanted or watch. >> Okay. Thank you. That's much clearer. Okay. And just to be clear, um, if there was an open meeting law violation, um, and it was recognized by myself or another board member, we can then stop that conversation by just saying point of order and calling that infraction out. Correct. >> That, Madam President, that's a good point. Um in my opinion um it's incumbent upon all board members to police themselves and to police the board in terms of um if a conversation is string. So if a conversation and uh you've you know if you are in an executive session and you believe
057a conversation is string your superintendent may say we need to get back on track but any of the board members can also say point of order. I don't believe that's agendaized for this evening and then you would move on. And I do think that it's important to um make sure that you're both uh watching yourself to make sure that an item's on the agenda, but also watching your fellow board members to not allow topics to stray too much off topic because it is the board as a whole that has this obligation. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Yep. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Okay, moving to item G3. Dr. Croto. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh, tonight we have our
058uh annual expenditure analysis for the voter approved M override that's currently in place, not for the new one coming up. And Dr. Do Midell Spyel, congratulations. Um, Maridell Spidel is going to take this item. >> Yes. Thank you, Dr. Croto. Madame President, members of the board, um when you see the one that comes up here, if not, there it is. Um is our annual override report. So, as Dr. Crono mentioned, this is a uh report that we're required to do annually according to statutory requirements, ARS 15481, and that is for any school districts that have either any outstanding bonds or a maintenance and override or capital override in place. So for our district, this is related to the current maintenance and operations override that we do have in place. And it's an opportunity for us
059to provide an update to the taxpayers who ultimately approved this override to be in place um and provide them an update on how um the items are being the funds, how they are being used, um how we have it budgeted for in this uh fiscal year, in this upcoming fiscal year, in our current fiscal year, and just an update overall on the programs. So as stated, this is an update on the maintenance and operation override of 2020. This is the one that was approved um in November of 2020. It was an override continuation passed by our voters. It is 15% of our maintenance and operation override. And again, this is an update on last year. So, fiscal year 2425's override. So, it was a $25.5 million override that we had in place for last fiscal
060year. Um and again, we have this chart here. I know the board is familiar with it. We've looked at it in a few study sessions and in other board meetings, but just as a reminder, overrides are in place for seven years. They are only funded fully funded however for the first five years. So for this current override that we are talking about the one that we currently do have in place we are still fully funded for the remainder of this fiscal year 2526. However, if not approved for continuation it does start getting phased out over the next couple years. So starting next July of 2627 if not approved for continuation it does start getting phased out um and ultimately finalized phasing out by the time fiscal year 29 comes around. So again, we've reviewed this
061information, but this is just an update on the the override that is in place. These were those items, those program areas with our focus. Um, and overrides, as a reminder, those are intended to be additional funds above and beyond what the state provides and specifically to provide additional support in school classrooms. So um, here you notice we have the retaining highly qualified teachers. Um there was a focus in the override on keeping class sizes manageable, providing those additional resources as well as providing funding for those special content areas. And so this is uh the update on um our fiscal year 25. So that 25.49 million about 25 a.5 million I spoke to re uh briefly that's the breakdown on how those funds were spent. So the retaining highly qualified teachers was 2.65 million. maintaining class
062sizes made up the 9.75 million and again that's really to maintain the current levels that are in place knowing that without the funding class sizes would go up as the override does provide funding for those additional um teacher positions. Classroom resources uh provided 2.4 2.84 million of the override and then those special content areas such as music, arts, athletics and full day kindergarten supported um with those with the override funding was 10.25 million for the 25.49 total. And in our current fiscal year 2526 that we are currently in, I know we've seen that amount, the 26.88 million. So this is a breakdown of how those funds are currently budgeted for in the current budget that we that we are in this year. And again, um just to reiterate, this is the last year of the
063full funding for this override of that 26.88 million. So again, it was a very brief o overview, but I know we've discussed it in great lengths in other previous meetings, but I'd be happy to answer any questions that the board may have. I have one. Um, so the fiscal year 26 budget, right, that we've got is 26.88 million. If the O andM is that how is that going to look if we have to cut one/ird off? >> So the 26.88 million for next fiscal year. So we call it roughly 27 million. And again, fiscal year 27 may vary based on assessed valuations etc. But an an overall estimate is 27 million. If the override is not continued, starting next fiscal year, July 1st, we'd be looking at roughly about $9 million or so is what
064would be having to be uh reduced from the maintenance and operations fund. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> If if the override passes, then that that will begin in 27 or 26. Madam President, members Iola. So if the override continues, so it's a continuation, then really it would start next year would now kickstart year one of the new override. So fiscal year 26 27 would now be year one of that new continued override. That's correct. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> I have a question. Um on the activity where it says uh fiscal year 26 budget for the retained highly qualified teachers, it looks like the amount went down. Do we know why >> overall when when I was doing the estimate on there again if we have um fluctuations in teacher sizes
065um or overall in the teacher the sorry excuse me the FTEES on our teachers that's what the amount is is calculated off of um so they're very similar and again if it's just any just slight dip in that teacher count that accounts for the difference there just a few hundred thousand >> okay and that wouldn't be cutting anybody at that time right >> no no so the supports are still there it's just again the way the makeup is if we have maybe additional teachers right now that are accounted for in the music arts and athletics which I mean we see kind of the difference in there in the way the the funds are appropriated but overall the programs are still supported to that same level it's going to be on the makeup of how those
066class sizes or how those positions are are accounted for within the budget but those are still the program areas of support have not changed it fluctuates a little bit on where those positions sit in the budget >> okay thank you welcome Okay, thank you very much. Okay, moving to item H1. Dr. Curto. >> Thank you, Madam President. Tonight, we begin our monitoring of our adopted policy and we begin with chapter 1. Uh you will notice that there are some changes in in some red line versions in 2021 122 132 and 141. And with that I will stand for any questions um or comments about section one on the policy. I'd like to see under one dash um 1-202 um under the sexual harassment paragraph um it says all district employees and rep representatives are prohibited
067from harassing employees and other covered persons based on that individual's sex or gender. I'm just wondering why what the definition of gender is and why why can't it just be sex? Why or the individual sex? Why does or gender in there? >> Thank you. Um and we just happen to have our attorney here. So, what a great question for her to answer. >> Thank you, Madam President, members of the governing board. So when the policy chapter was written uh in 2022 2023 time frame, you all were first adopter of the model policies. As you know, um the law was different and changing and in a state of flux with respect to um whether what the definition of sex was under title 7, under title 9. Um if the um prevailing winds at that time would
068have included items that were in the parent the under the parenthesis. So that would include sexual orientation, gender identification, that sort of thing. Um, some school districts are choosing to just refer to the word sex because there are court there is court litigation about what the definition of that word is. So that would take the decision-making about defining that term out of your policym and into the courts. Um, so that's an option for the board. The definition when you look it up, the difference between sex and gender. Sex is your biological um the sex that you're born into, male or female. Gender is how you relate to that sexual identification. So gender has more the societal implications whereas sex is the biological. >> I thought title nine was changed with the recent administration or >>
069so that is that is accurate. So there was there has been movement. There were new regulations adopted and then the uh current federal administration rescended those new reg regulations. The new regulations that were adopted had had a very expansive definition of sex. That definition has been rescended and there's court litigation about it, which was my reference earlier to it sort of being a gray area in some senses. So, we could not take the word gender out of there or or >> you could if you if you chose to do that, you could take the word gender out of there and just leave the word sex and allow that to be under the definition of the courts both in the parentheticals and in the text of that policy. I'm going to ask a really naive question
070because I I know in speaking about sexual orientation or gender identity, that's pretty clear to me. But in in my head and in my definition um in my d my mental dictionary, sex and gender are the same thing. But I I get the the sexual orientation and gender identity, but again, to me, sex and gender interchangeable. Not that the sex is interchangeable, but those terms are interchangeable. I just feel like that's the same thing. Like that's their biological. >> And again, I think that's a matter of >> nuance. Okay. If you look it up in the dictionary, sex is biological and gender is the societ how a person approaches their biological sex. Um, so that's the information I have. When when the policies were written, they were written to be compliant with what was available
071in 2023 and to be all-encompassing because you know the the objective of that policy is to prohibit discrimination on the basis of a protected category and a protected category for sure includes an individual sex. So policy 122 is the policy that addresses the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of someone's sex in the workplace. Whether that be sexual harassment, which is covered by Title 9203, or uh prohibit prohibiting discrimination on the basis of somebody being employed or promoted on the basis of their sex. That's what that's what that policy is designed to implement those Title 7 protections in your workplace. So the the legal requirement for any business or school district in this case would be all of the categories you mentioned um including sex, but gender would not be a legal requirement. >> That
072is up for debate in the courts. So we could remove it right now and then if and when the courts make a decision if we have to put it back in we would just do that then right >> that is an option that's available to you. >> Yes. Okay. Thank you. >> You couldn't remove the word sex like that would be you would not be recognizing a protected category but if you want to maintain the word sex and allow the definitional um nuances to be decided by the courts andor existing case law. So for instance the boastto decision US supreme court recognizes that sexual orientation is protected in the title 7 jurisdiction. So that's an example >> in the parenthesis. >> Could we have that gender term removed from this >> 1-202? >> Yes. >>
073Yeah. Would we have to make a motion on that or >> I I don't know if you you're having an action discussion item so you can uh provide direction to the superintendent and Miss Bowen to work with me to remove that that uh that qualifier. >> I agree. >> And and just for clarification, it occurs in a few places. So you you mentioned just under the harassment, it is in the second the first paragraph of equal employment opportunity. So, anything in the parenthesis after the word sex, it includes in the paragraph, same thing after the parenthesis and harassment. Um, and then on that what I have the second page written, it includes um a couple in those first two paragraphs on that second page. So, um we would just have to form the motion to
074remove that and work and we could remove those. I I'd just like a little bit of further discussion on just to make sure before anybody makes a motion. Um what I'm hearing is that we want to remove um we want to include sex, we want to remove gender and possibly um I in my opinion I think we should include keep sexual orientation because I don't feel that they should be harassed based on >> their preferences. But um I do feel that the word gender >> should be considered to be moved. Yes, I agree. >> Are we >> So, you're including you're keeping are you discussing about keeping pregnancy, sexual orientation, and scratching the words including >> my opinion? Yes. We would just remove the word gender. >> Right. >> And I would second that motion.
075>> Well, I haven't motioned yet. Sorry. >> Um, >> when you say sexual orientation, what um >> LGBTQ? >> Okay. I think that should be a protected class. >> Yes, it is >> as it should be. It is currently >> Are we looking to to discuss other policies? >> Oh, >> outside of this one. >> So, that was 122. >> I do have >> Okay. Um 1-41. I wanted to I guess I just wondered if um when parents are informed that they can opt their children out of a sex ed class because I read in here that they they do have to get written permission for their child to be included in a sexed class. So when when is that when does that happen? >> I'm not too sure. >> Are you asking like when
076in the calendar year does that happen? >> Yeah. >> I think it would be like just prior to um that option that's offered to students or families. I believe that's towards the end of the school year. If >> I remember right, >> Madam President, it is toward the end of the school year after testing their sixth grade year. >> Okay. And they have ample time to respond to that. I don't recall. It's been a while. >> Yes. Parents have a parent night where they're provided and they can preview all the materials. They can choose to opt out and they're provided an alternate place to go. >> You mean they're given the opportunity to opt in, right? >> I'm sorry. They're given an opportunity to opt in. They have to sign the paper saying that they're
077going. >> Okay. >> And then with the curriculum, are they given an opportunity to look at all the curriculum, too? >> Yes, they can see all the all the curriculum online. They come to the parent night. We if parents can't come to the parent night, we've sent it to them. It's a very um I would describe it as a very conservative curriculum going from um you know these are the organs in our body to here's what happens when the baby comes. >> I I I also meant for other curriculum too, not just the sex head, but >> we have never denied a parent the right to see any of our curriculum. They can come in at any time and see it. Yes. Okay. >> Thank you. Any others? >> Okay, I'm working on it. All
078right. So, I uh move to approve um the revisions to policies as presented. Did you want me to restate the the approval of policy 122 with the removal of the term gender. >> Okay. Yes. The uh approval of the modifications to 1202 with the removal of the word gender. >> I second. >> Motion carries. Thank you, Miss McClennon. >> Thank you. number. >> Thank you. Okay, we're moving to item H2. Dr. Croto. >> Thank you, Madam President. Tonight, we have our annual financial report for our uh fiscal year 2425. And as you can see, Miss Maidell has a big smile on her face again because she loves this time of year. So, Miss Mel, go. Uh this is your item. Go for it. >> Thank you, Dr. Credto. U Madam President, members of the board,
079cabinet community, we are um going to be presenting this uh district's financial activity for the 2425 fiscal year. And again, this is what happens when they attend. When they Before I get started, I do want to recognize they are in attendance. Um our accounting team and members of our budget team, they really do so much work in just the last few weeks on gathering all this information, compiling, closing the general ledger, getting audits ready. There's a lot that happens in school districts in this time that often go unnoticed. So I definitely want to to praise the team because it is a lot of work in making sure that things are are managed correctly. So um we will go through the the reports. So what is the AFR the annual financial report? It represents the financial
080activity for all school districts for the for the 2425 years. So it's required to be provided to the board and approved by the board by October 15th and then we provide it to Arizona Department of Education and then the fund begins because at that point various state agencies start reviewing it for um financial accountability. We re they review it to ensure we've stayed within budgetary limits. They ensure we met the various financial compliance requirements. Our auditors review it in detail to be sure that it is accurate according to our general ledger and that it meets the various audit requirements that we are required to meet as a school district. The auditor general also uses it for the annual school district spending report where they review district's efficiencies and financial management. So this is just the
081beginning of a lot of reviews. So we want to make sure we give it the the due attention and respect that it needs. So, our main operations um the fund overall it had it's our largest as you know it's our largest fund in the district. It accounts for all the large non- capital operations as a district. So, it's our salaries and benefits, our supplies, purchase services, utilities and other general operations. So, the total budget for the year was 215.6 million with the total expenditures of 195.1. And you see the breakdown there. We had 68% approximately in the regular education area. 25 and a and a half percent were spent in special education, approximately 6.2% in transportation, and half a percent that we receive in funding specifically for the K3 reading program. Um, and so the
082total budget balance was about 20.5 million. And if the the board recalls, we did allocate a portion of that is in is earmarked for retention stipens that are going to be paid later this fall um to our employees who who did return um their contracts and our notice of employment. So that'll be um happening here in in another month or so. And then we also um we have the board approved adopted fund balance policy that is in place. And so this does honor that and and focuses on maintaining that healthy reserve to support any unexpected operating needs in the future. Our two largest capital funds are on restricted capital fund that is the the one that is funded through the state and also our emergency building renewal grant program. So our capital fund was 21.9
083million budget that actually had an increase at the very end of last year because if if you recall at our May revision of the budget we had 2.2 million that came in from the state in one-time funds. So the board did make that decision to shift that over into capital because we never know what unexpected capital needs and we saw some that occurred at the beginning of the school year. Um and so we wanted to ensure that we set the district in a in a good um position if anything unexpected occurs. We had about 9.4 4 million in expenditure. So that left us a 12.5 million. And really of that budget balance about 1 and a.5 million or so was already earmarked for projects that hadn't been completed by June 30th or products that hadn't
084been received by June 30th. Specifically, we did had some buses on order um that didn't arrive until after the fiscal year. So we rolled over those funds and so those have already been paid for out of this year's money from that rollover. And then we have the emergency building renewal grant program that board is familiar with. That was about nine and a half million that accounted for those large projects approved through the school facilities division. Specifically, um 3.4 million was carried over into this year to pick up the cost for the Marley Park Central plant replacement that was still being finalized at June 30th and also the Kingswood roofing replacement projects approved through the state. So that um entire carry forward is already earmarked and has been um being paid and or will be paid
085here in the near future. Our classroom site fund had a 43 and a half million budget with 21.3 million in expenditures. And so as a board knows that that is primarily used for salaries and compensation for eligible staff. And so this fund specifically has quite a few statutory requirements to it and and what it can be used for. So we do continue to focus on those allowable uses and programs to ensure we're utilizing that that fund appropriately. Um specifically this year we did start allocating and 2425, excuse me, we did start paying the student support technician positions. um continued to support those out of that fund as well as we did have increased costs specifically for teacher professional development as is statutoily allowable in that fund. And then this is a summary of our special
086projects funds. I won't go into detail, but in page five of the AFR, which um it is attached on the board agenda item, you can review all the various funds that make that up, but you can see the breakdown there um from federal grants, our state grants, food service, other cash funds, and instructional improvement. And so you see the budget to actual expenditures. Um, and again, please review those in detail. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer those as well. Then we have the additional AFR information. Just a few highlights. Our bonds outstanding as a district, they do continue to go down. We have at June 30th 25 a reduction down to 38.7 million left in outstanding bonds. Um, we have no short-term debt as a district. And then other financial considerations,
087we always want to ensure that that goal D where we identify and maximize any financial resources. we do receive just a small portion, but it's something we um we do make a little bit extra effort in getting those electronic funds transfer payments from vendors. So, it's really an incentive. They get their money faster, but in the same time, we get a rebate from the banks because they're able to to float that money um quick quicker to them. So, it's just a little rebate that we're able to utilize to support any additional needs that may come up. And then this is the estimated classroom spending report. So as mentioned previously when uh the AFR submitted to the state agencies it goes through a number of reviews specifically the auditor general does publish their annual school district
088spending report and really they review all the school districts in Arizona. They get their financial ledgers the AFRs and then they prepare this class classroom spending. It's usually not published out until January. Um but our amazing accounting team they actually have a process on estimating what those amounts will be and we've been right on the mark every year. So very confident these percentages you see here are an indication of what we'll see in a few months. But in FY25 um you see it broken down in classroom spending. So the way they do the district spending report they break it down between what's considered to be dollars in the classroom. So the instructional support, student support um and instruction. So you see those top three categories and then um below the line are those non-classroom dollar
089reports which is our administration, plan operations, food service and transportation. And so when you combine those top three classroom spending, that's accounting for about 71.6% which is right in line with FY24 71 a.5. So we've been pretty um pretty right on on in line with what we previously had done. And our non-classroom spending of 28.4% is right in line with 28.5% from from fiscal year 24. Something to note is when we did when we do receive the district spending report at the state level, our classroom spending is um above the state uh average. And so you see that there's 68.6% for FY24 and we are below the state average on our non-classroom spending. So while we showed 28 and a half% 28.4 um the non-classroom spending at the state level is 31.4. So definitely um
090identifying and prioritizing those dollars into the classroom at the district level. And as always, we have our AFR um again just to ensure that we have that financial transparency to our community. So that does link directly to um the Arizona Department of Education. Once we get this approved by the board, we will be linking that it will take them directly there. And as always, they can review all the various multiple years of financial reports, budgets, and also our annual comprehensive financial reports as well. With that, I'd be happy to answer any questions. >> When you talk about the budget compared to the expenditures, so it's actually you're actually spending less than what the budget called for. Is that correct, >> Madam President? Members, Iola. Yes. Um, so in all the various areas, we do intend
091to spend less than our budgeted amount. Um and in fact the governing board did adopt a fund balance policy or fund policy to ensure we stay within those budgetary um restrictions and make sure that we don't put the district in a in a situation where we could be at risk of overspending our budget. So that is not the case. >> Thank thank you. >> You're welcome. >> I have one question. So I'm looking at the budget. I'm seeing our expenditures and you brought up several instances where things um fell after June 30th. So that was obligations, right? That we'd already obligated those funds and that's why they're still carrying over. Is that a correct statement? >> Madam President, Mish, correct? So we had previously already encumbered items within purchase orders and then what we do
092is then essentially just flip them over into the next fiscal year. We do have those on those commitments to to the vendors and we knew those items were arriving. We just cannot pay for anything in the previous fiscal year if it has not arrived by June 30th. >> Correct. Thank you. Just wanted to clarify. I appreciate you. Um, I also appreciate your comment just saying that everything is available on our website. Um, what I know we have some, you know, naysayers out in the community just kind of saying that we're not being transparent. We're always asking for money. We get those people a lot and we you know I know as a board member I try to point them towards our website give them resources to learn more and also invite them to board meetings.
093With that said um if somebody were um for some reason not able to do their own research on the website and resources that we provide them. Would you be open um to get a call from a community member? >> Madam President, absolutely. I actually not many people take me up on that but I really do welcome I I do feel as if there when you do have a questions when you really have it in a one-on-one environment and you're able to explain and kind of open up the books you really do get those moments of I did not expect that or I did not realize that that was the situation or I didn't know you had these restrictions. So this setting provides you an overview but you absolutely get a lot more in detail when
094it's in one-on-one and I absolutely welcome those conversations. Well, hopefully they're watching. >> I can't say get many of them, but I'm more than happy. >> Hopefully they're watching, but if not, I might get them in touch with you. >> That's fine. Okay, moving to item H3. Dr. Croto, >> we need to >> Oh, sorry. We're going to vote. >> I need a motion. >> I know. Go ahead, Al. Yeah. >> Okay. Motion to approve the annual financial report and related financial reports for the fiscal year 2024 through 2025. >> Seconded by Miss Drake. All those in favor? I >> I. All those who oppose. >> Just figured I'd throw it out there to change their mind. >> Sorry. Motion carries. All right. Now, we're going to move to item H3. >> Dr. Croto. >>
095Thank you, Madam President. Um, I I stand for questions. This was an item removed from consent, so we'd be glad to answer any questions we had on the new middle school and high school courses. >> Um, yes, I was the one that pulled that. I just wondered um what grades can particip it's about a new marketing curriculum for the middle school and they can get I guess they can get credits for for high school I guess I'm not sure >> it says they can get one semester credit but does >> Dr. I will take that for you. >> Thank you so much. Members, uh they will not get high school credit for it. It will be a prep class for the high school. Uh so it's a middle school elective at grades seven and eight.
096We have pulled from high school unit 2 and 8. Um unit two talks about um marketing the marketing mix effectively marketing uh products and selling them. And also unit 8 deals with merchandising. So it gives them an intro. Currently, it's important that our it well, it's important to us that our CTE kits are CTE completers. Right now, we're at the state average, but we believe with an introduction course that we can do much better and outperform the state like we do on our academic test >> for the in the high school if you start them in grade schools, which >> yeah, the problem is I think lots of nth graders get to marketing and they think it's going to be being a CEO and marketing unfortunately isn't always about going and being a CEO right
097away. Uh so we are integrating it with it's about product development and coming up with your own product uh supply and demand cost and then having to market. >> Okay. So you think a lot of the middle school kids will want to >> We're hoping it helps them make the right choice. We're thinking that we'll get at least a class or two of it and we're hoping that some of them will be inspired to go on and it'll also help some of them to figure out well maybe I don't want to do this. Maybe I want to go into nursing. Maybe I want to go into culinary. Uh but we really want to match the kids with the right classes because what happens sometimes when they get to high school instead of taking the first
098year and second year they take the first year they don't like it and they stop. So they get an elected but they're not a completer. And we went really are one of our aims is to increase our CTE completers. >> Okay. And then it says it is a cost of two teachers for four 40 hours at $2,500. Is that >> So we have a set formula. We pay our teachers. uh Mary Dell uh knows better finance to help me figure that. Uh but we do ask our teachers to really we haven't we have overarching concepts but we like to map them out a little bit in a little bit more detail, find appropriate resources. So if we're going to show a video, here's the exact video you can do and that takes teachers time and
099we compensate our teachers for doing that when they do it outside the school day. >> So the class Okay, now that what do you mean outside the school day? Uh, as teachers have classes with kids, I mean, they can't really they can't put work into developing a new class when they're teaching their current kids. So, they might do it a couple hours after school, they might do it on a Saturday, they might do it during their summer hours. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> So, when we say cost for the teachers, these are existing teachers that would be taking this on. >> These are teachers who would do the class. uh they might have at a part they would probably work with Drea who is uh we have Tom out here. Drea is like
100the instructional coach for CTE under her supervision because we want to make sure it meets what the state is asking for to preview but just at a very scaffolded level that seventh and eighth graders can understand. >> And we wouldn't be eliminating um an elective, would we? >> No, it just gives them more choice. We're about student voice and choice. We want them to have electives that really interest them in high in junior high. We know sometimes our interest in school and junior high waines and so we're looking at electives that will engage them. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. >> So, if I'm hearing you right, this is kind of like for seventh and eighth graders an introduction into marketing to see if they're really interested in continuing that when they go into high school
101through the CTE programs. Correct. >> That is a perfect summary. Yes. >> Thank you. And then the coding uh course that's just for Shadow Ridge High School it looks like. >> Uh the coding course currently is just offered at Shadow Ridge. Yes. And the problem is students right now in our course guide we have a coding one two a coding 3 four and then we have an internship. Uh however not every kid can go out and get an internship and someone can continue to do more advanced coding. So this gives them an option if they can't get an internship and they want to continue to code. Yes. Thank you. >> I move to approve the new marketing one course for the middle school and film TV production 7A and coding 56 courses for the high
102school. I'll second anything. Sorry. >> Okay. >> All in favor? >> I I hearing no opposed. Motion carries. All right. At this time, I'll ask if there are any requests for future agenda items. Okay. Hearing none, I move to adjourn the meeting. I was seconded by board member Drake. >> It's coming up. I >> I >> Okay, motion carries. Thank you.