001At this time, I'll call the meeting to order and we'll stand for the pledge of allegiance. Thank you. First up, we have recognitions and celebrations. Dr. Croto. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, tonight we have the Willow uh, High School uh, Willow Canyon High School jazz bands going to perform for us tonight and they are under the direction of Miss Mandy Brick. So, welcome and one two three [Music] four Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Where are you? [Music] Hey, heat. Hey. [Music] Down. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Thank you. That tune was called Song for My Father and we featured Kendrick Curry on trumpet and Jackson Atilio on Alto Saxs. Our last piece today is Back in the Day by Larry Nick featuring Charles Green on Berry [Applause] Sachs. One, two. One, two, three. [Music] Heat.
002Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Thank you so much band. That was amazing. Next up, we have item B2. Dr. Cto. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, tonight we are proud to recognize our National Board Certified employees. If you could stand up, if you're in the audience, please stand up to be recognized. All of our National Board Certified employees. Awesome. All right, remain standing. Um, these are some exceptional professionals in multiple fields who have demonstrated a deep commitment to our students, their craft, and the highest standards of their profession. National board certification is a voluntary advanced professional certification that recognizes individuals who meet high standards through a peer review and performance of ba based assessment process. In education, it's offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Other professions have
003similar organizations that uphold this level of certification, but the core principles remain cons remain consistent. Excellence, reflection, and leadership in practice. Uh, national board certification is not easy and that's exactly why it holds uh such prestige. It requires courage, resilience, and a deep belief in one's ability to grow and lead. Those who achieve it exemplify the best of their professions. Achieving national board certification is truly a mark of excellence, reflecting not only advanced knowledge and skill, but also a dedication to continual growth and an impact in our schools. On March 22nd this year, as you know, the district was one of 11 districts recognized by the K Arizona K12 center for our significant commitment to national board certification. Daart currently supports our board certified employees by providing a 5% stipen to their base salary for
004their accomplishments. Uh thank you to each of you for your unwavering dedication, your pursuit of excellence, and your outstanding service to our schools and students. Your leadership and expertise inspire us all and elevate the entire educational community. We are truly grateful for your contributions. So, thank you very much. I would like to in invite all of you forward to take a picture with our governing board. We will join them in the front. If you can please come on forward. All right. Next up, we have um audience with individuals. This is the time for public to comment. Members of the board may not discuss items that are not specifically identified on the agenda. Pursuant to ARS 38-431.01H, 01H. Action taken as a result of public comment will be limited to directing staff to study the manner,
005responding 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 three 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 I apologize in advance if I mess up your name, Philip White. Mic check. There we go. All right. Uh, hello board and the community. My name is Philip White. I'm a resident of Surprise, Arizona. All three of my children are currently zoned to attend Willow Canyon High School in the future. I'm a former high school teacher, uh, baseball and football coach, student council leadership sponsor. Uh, and saddened by the recent events regarding the Willow Canyon
006baseball team, I'm here to speak to the character of my good friend Austin Ber. Uh, throughout Austin's time at Willow Canyon, we have talked many times about how excited and proud he was to be the head coach. I've seen firsthand the sacrifices that he's made for the baseball program and the community itself. Uh, it's not just apparent by looking at the difference in the win loss column, u, but also seeing the impact that he's had on players lives. I've watched Austin put in countless hours with players to push them not just to be better athletes, but also to be me better members of their community. Um Austin's led the team to participate in many community service events like CCV's exceptional stars program multiple times, Reese Across America. Um he's gotten buying in support from parents
007to put together dinner on the diamond, uh taken the team to watch Grand Canyon University baseball games, um and then also uh travel to Nevada for tournaments. So he's put in his time. uh to work with a lot of the a lot of the players. Uh on the field, I'm so impressed by how quickly he turned them into a playoff contending team in a tough region. But baseball aside, uh the reason why I'm here to speak is Austin's character. It's what makes him a great coach. Uh his motivations are to see others succeed. Uh it's a shame that it's gone this far and is now putting his character into question. Um I would like to make it known that Austin Ber is the type of person that I would hope Diceart school districts would hire
008uh to coach any of my three children. Um, he's fair, he's honest, encouraging, positive, motivating, and most importantly, he cares. Uh, he cares about the school, the community, and most of all, the kids on that team. Um, at a time where we're running, uh, at a time where we need teachers, coaches, and positive influences in our children's lives, we're running out a good one here. Um, thank you for your time and I please urge you to get to know Austin Ber. Even if it's just a short conversation, you will see for yourself that he's one of the most loving, caring, and he'd do anything to see any of the student athlete student any of his student athletes succeed uh not just in baseball, but in life itself. Thank [Applause] you. Frank Bole [Applause] Hi, my
009name is Frank Boya. I'm the head freshman baseball coach at Willow Canyon. I've been there six years now. I'm here to talk about the investigation of the Willow Canyon baseball team and its coaches. Um, if there's a policy for coaches, if the policy for coaches is one and done, it should be in writing. The same policy should be applicable to the student athlete as well, but we wouldn't have many players on the team. It's a problem nationwide. Athletes are reprimanded, punished, etc., and it works for about a minute until he makes a mistake or strikes out. But do you think it's fair that coaches are one and done? A player's given multiple opportunities to correct their behavior, attitude, and effort before they are disciplined or dismissed from a team. But a coach or coaches in
010this case are severely punished and it's one and done. How is this fair? Something you may not know or may not have asked is how many chances this player was given. It wasn't a oneandone like the coaches were. And if you want to talk about inappropriate language, the player was warned, disciplined, and punished on more than one occasion, almost daily. This certainly was not the daily ritual of the head coach or any of his coaches. Was the question of inappropriate language by the players addressed during the investigation? No. Thank you. I'm just going to call you Mr. Ruby. I can't I can't read the first [Applause] name. Mr. Superintendent, board members, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Dell Ruby. I'm a 21-year Air Force retired senior master sergeant. I'm an 18-year federal employee retired at
011Luke Air Force Base. During my time in the military, I was a leadership and management instructor for First Line Enlistic Supervisors. The young athlete involved in the dismissal of a varsity head coach was involved in over 15 team violations, lied consistently to three coaches, created havoc in the dugout and with teammates. Coach Austin Ber and Lorenzo had one issue where the emotions took over both and both were forced to resign or be fired. I personally saw the Willow Canyon baseball culture changed dramatically as a volunteer part-time coach. Training by all coaches was positive, motivational, and effective. Results for the program. Four new ball players signed up last year. 30 new ball players signed up this year. 35 plus new ball players going to be signed up for next year as well. One varsity, one JV,
012one freshman player missed games due to academics. This is the result out of 46 ball players. This is the result of coach Austin's academic mandates. Six Willow Canyon seniors receive baseball college scholarships. Currently, they have an 18 and 10 current record. They might have another win tonight. They're ranked 38th in the state. Last year, they were ranked 103rd in the state. 73 record in regionals. second place for this year. Last year they were in fifth place. Coach Ber had four non-paid coaches, adult coaches, working coaches who didn't have sons in a program as his coaches. Coach Ber also developed six major league university summer and winter baseball teams training and developing young athletes and more importantly their character. results. Major League University program dramatically impacted the surprise and surrounding communities with parents and athletes in
013a positive way with over 110 student athletes participating due to lack of upper management leadership support and ineffective communication to team members. The current word on Willow Canyon campus with ball players coach Austin Ber was fired. Coach Ber's character has been defamed. Defamation of character with minimal facts specifics is in violation of individual rights. Coach Ber who loses 19 varsity 12 junior varsity 15 freshman players. The 90% loses thanks to the 10enters. Parents are the losers as well. not having a leader who cares and places more emphasis with developing his athletes character and work ethic versus just for wins. The same coaching staff hired by former professional ball player who dramatically changed the baseball culture into one that builds hardworking, disciplined, dedicated. Thank you, sir. [Applause] Genevieve Bolier. Once again, I apologize. Good evening board
014members and superintendent. My name is Genevie Blair and I'm here tonight representing not just my own family but many families who are deeply concerned about the future of the athletics in the Daart Unified School District. We're here because of the recent situation involving Willow Canyon baseball is not an isolated incident. It is a symptom of a greater, much larger ongoing problem. The lack of stability and support for our student athletes across the district. Through my 20s, I coached student athletes and I've seen firsthand the relationships that can be built with players that aren't formed in one season or two. They are built over years of trust, with mentorship and consistency. I still keep in touch with these girls today. I've been invited to their weddings. I've celebrated their children be born. My own children have
015stood as flower girl and as ring bearer in their ceremonies. That kind of bond only happens when there is stability and commitment. And that is what our students are lacking and being denied today. At Willow Canyon alone, there has been five baseball coaches in the last 10 years and four in the just the last five. Valley Vista has the same. Shadow Ridge and Daart High School show similar patterns and 12 baseball head coaches changes in just the last five years districtwide. Regardless of the reasons, this level of turnover is unacceptable for students. They're depending on these programs for mentorship, for development, and opportunities beyond high school. Stability matters. Consistency in leadership matters. Relationships between players and coaches cannot be built in one or two seasons. And instability disrupts the very foundation that grows as student
016growth, teamwork, and opportunity. Every time a coach leaves, a community is fractured. Every time a program resets, our kids have to start over. that has a lasting impact not just on their performance but on their confidence, their opportunities for college recruitment and their belief that adults invest in their success. On top of this instability, the investigation into Willow Canyon baseball was rushed, one-sided and lack transparency. Students were pulled from classes and questions without prior notification to parents. Minors were questioned without knowledge. This is a serious violation of trust and a breach of our parental rights. We also learned that multiple parents were told incorrectly that no appeals process existed, directly contradicting the district's own employee handbook. These failures and process further erode the trust that families placed in this district to fairly act in the
017best interest of our children. I want to read a quote from the surprise independent from KJ Kavali, varsity member on the team who couldn't be here tonight due to a game. He says, "We've grown so much closer on and off the field. We've gone out and had fun. We're relaxed. Last year we'd go out there and feel tense and stressed out. this. Thank you. Did we have any other speakers? Okay, thank you. All right, next up we have superintendent update. Dr. Cartto. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, just a few updates. Recently, our emergency medical technician program um housed at Valley Vista. They hosted an EMT family night. Um this was an opportunity to work alongside our Surprise Fire Department um and conduct a mass casualty training scenario. So, families had a viewing area. They were
018able to watch their um children perform and as well as take pictures and ask questions about any of the training. So, that occurred recently. Um we had some FBLA state award winners for animation. First place is Elias Ramirez, Vanna Jaren, and Kai Langub. And third place, Eduardo Martinez Tustado, uh Jade Thomas, and Gabe Martin. So, congratulations to our FBA winners. Um I believe that is the first time that we have placed those awards in that FBA competition for animation. Um, additionally, two DART school seniors, Maline Cortez Pentalone and Zariah Rentaria, um, have been awarded the prestigious Dell scholarship, landing them among 500 recipients nationwide. So, congratulations to Meline and Zariah for their accomplishments. Um, both uh, Desaert High School students. So, congratulations to them and and their accomplishments. Um and then last um as you
019know there have been some uh family educational rights and privacy act uh as well well as protection of pupil rights amendment assurances that we've been asked to sign. Um we have signed those asurances as a district. Uh the asurances continue our access to federal funds and as you know and we've said up here a few times um that we will comply with all state and federal um mandates and laws and guidelines and we continue to do so. Th those have been turned in. Um there has been a stay put on by a judge so we'll see where that's at but know that ours have been turned in and we comply by what we need to comply by. So with that that's all I have. Thank you Dr. Cto. Next up, we have governing board update.
020So, over the last period, I I just want to say I I attended the Diceard Heroes event, and I thought that was spectacular. First time I've ever been there. Um, I want to thank anyone who had any anything to do with putting that event on, any anyone who donated to that event. Um, the silent auction uh seemed was really fun. Uh, especially when you got over there with a uh a microphone trying to call some people out. Um, that was good. Uh I appreciate our uh mayor u who actually won two prizes because he uh he was part of the silent auction. Always a good cause and I appreciate you know city and the school board working together as well. And that's that's really what I wanted to say was you know that's a really
021great event and I I just want to make sure that we publicize that as much as possible how we we honor our DACAR heroes. Um, on the 9th of April, I and I attended the Ginger Lee Francia Awards ceremony. I just want to say thank you to Sarah Rivera for inviting me. It was an honor to be there. And congratulations to everyone that was recognized who went above and beyond for supporting our students with disabilities. It's a great opportunity if you ever get to go. Um, and I also attended the Daizart Hero Awards. Congratulations to all of our award winners. um rightfully deserved. Um thank you for your hard work, dedication, and support you give to our students. And I just want to say congratulations to Freedom boys basketball game. I'm hearing they won tonight,
022so they will be going to the playoffs. So I wish I was there, but congratulations guys. Good job. I went to the Daart Heroes Awards also, and it was a great event for all the winners. shocker. I also attended the Desaart Hero event and it was just it's always an amazing experience to be able to recognize all of our uh incredible staff that go above and beyond. Special thanks to public relations and uh that whole team that made the event truly incredible for everyone. That's all I have. Next up, we have the consent agenda. And I will move to appro approve consent agenda items as presented. A second. Motion carries. Okay. Next up, we have item G1, information discussion. Dr. Croto. Thank you, Madam President. Um, we've been asked uh earlier by the governing board
023to present a process um on how our committees our committee selection process. So um we are here. So DAER schools is involved. Uh we like to seek involvement from a lot of community members on some of our committees. As you can see here, these are the committee opportunities available to the public. So we have the calendar committee, the curriculum adoption committee, the employee benefits trust board, handbook, menu advisory, and it goes on. So you can see there um this is also part um of where to sign up for. So on our uh website you can go and see a description of each committee along with a link to sign up for each committee and that's found in the parents and community sections of our website. So that is there for everybody to view and sign
024up even if we do not have um any need you can still sign up and that way when we access those uh committee selections they will be there um the committee selection process. So when numbers permit all volunteers that sign up through the link on the website will be placed on the requested committees. Some of those committees do have um some restricted numbers as how many can be involved. If that is true um if it's limited then we go to that following bullet. So the needs of the committee will be assessed what type of committee um and what um background they bring to the committee um when possible u and if time permits depending on the size of the committee and how many people we will always seek to volunteer or interview our volunteers. Okay
025we can do this by phone or in person again depends on the size and the amount and the time we have. Um and then cabinet will select the final committee members based on the above input. Um depending on the committee um the last one that we really put together was our bond committee and it was very important that we had a representative from each school that we tried to do that and the very onset we did that but that obviously limited our selection process of who could be on that committee and we were trying to have a mix. So when that happens and there was more from one school, we did a random selection process. Um and then if the it is a board committee that we recommend such as our benefits trust board, those
026recommendations are brought to our governing board for approval. So with that, I will stand for any questions you may have. So this this was the topic that I actually asked about. So, one question that um I would like to see if we can do is uh making sure that we have a little bit more transparency if possible, and I hate using the word if possible because I like to just say let's do it. Um is when we have that random selector. I know there's free ones online that you can do. Um and if we can record it just for transparency for our stakeholders and community to see if they ever ask. Sure. Chances are they probably would never ask, but I mean it's nice to have it. We can do that. No, no problem at
027all. Just to clarify, but if it is a uh committee of the governing board, it's up to the governing board to make that decision like the in the end if it is like the employee benefits trust. Yes, the that decision and final approval rests with you. Yeah, that is correct. Thank you. Any other discussion on that? And again, I want to stress for anybody out there that's watching, um, sign up for our committees. All too often, we don't have enough people sign up for the committees. So, please go online and sign up for committees. That would help us out tremendously. And the governing board's not um eligible to be on a committee, right? Correct. Darn. Okay. All right. All right. We'll move on to item G2. Dr. Croto. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, tonight we
028have a brief uh summary of the meet and confer sessions. Um, you've been briefed a few times and they're at their final stage. So, Mr. Mattingley will give you a um a brief um summary of this. Steve. All right. Thank you. Uh, Madam President, governing board members. uh this brief uh little summary of the meet confer process uh I want to share with you that we use an IBA process and so do I control that thank you uh so thank you there we go and so uh it's called meet confer but the process is an interestbased process and I'm not going to read everything on the slide but it's just basically the epitome of the three C's of success and that is communication ation, collaboration and cooperation amongst a different um four different silos if
029you will of of our employees. And that's uh basically our teachers association, our support staff association, our administration and cabinet members. And so you can see here our members here and uh of course myself and Miss Fadell were uh non- voting members. We're host we're actually a resource for these 20 people. So, um, I don't see too many people, but we do have, uh, if anybody is out there, uh, Sarah, I see Sarah's on the committee back here. Anybody else if you could just stand up, get recognized. Thank you, Ashley, Tom, thank you guys. Kevin, so uh, it we started at the end of October, this committee. And so, it's it's truly an incredible process of collaboration. Uh, so with that, it starts off with training. And what is interestpace? Uh, they have to understand
030how it works. And so these are the key components of interest base and uh uh so they get training on that the beginning before we even start about talking about anything they have to understand the process uh and then uh once we get going through the story the interest and the criteras and everything we look for that consensus and so and uh our consensus was and as you're aware now because you've approved some of these uh and are dealing with some documents tonight as well uh 2% salary increase for current employees uh a 3% retention stipen. These are these are qualifying factors as well that have to be employed currently up until uh October 31st because why is it October 31st? Because directly after that week, payroll is kind enough to uh push that retention
031stipen out of 3% based on their earned salary of this year, this current year now as we speak. Um so we do have salary schedules. That's something that's on the agenda tonight for the board to consider. Um, so the 1% is added to the minimum base salary of all of our salary schedules. Uh, that doesn't affect any of our current employees. Those are new employees coming to us for next school year. Uh, we have our OTPs and speech and audio aiologists that are we're increasing their base minimum salary schedule and you can see here the starting salary at for bachelor's only versus a mast's. uh this is to put us in a key position of recruiting and uh we've spoken about uh trying to get to that point where we don't use vendors to uh
032provide services. We want to have our own employees providing those services and this marketing approach uh with this salary schedule hopefully we can get there get to that point. Uh the other piece is um the salary schedules. Uh there was a consensus from our group that says let's address compression. We have compression within our hourly weight sal hour hourly rate salary schedules and uh this is very difficult to maneuver but it's necessary and so with a lot of hard work and looking uh at different numbers we've increased these particular grades and the grades are in order of of of um high to low as far as starting salary schedules. And so this creates an opportunity where somebody that's doing a job that is completely different from somebody else but they're getting the same pay. This
033is going to create that gap and and restructure it again. Our goal is hopefully this can sustain itself where our compression is eliminated for the next couple of years. But as the governing board is aware, every year in the state of Arizona in January, a new minimum wage is uh uh basically sent out and approved based on their research and and inflation. So this is a portion of the salary schedules that we're excited about uh to present to the board to consider. Um we had some stipens that uh that are part of the uh stipen uh consideration for the board to look at tonight. Uh we have a lead coordinator and then we also have our DASART student broadcast uh live to increase that for our awesome uh certified staff that manage that. And then
034uh just a quick financial summary of the cost analysis of of what I've just kind of went over briefly and aggregate wise approximately about $6.8 8 million uh is what what we've presented previously that the board has approved and what's the board is looking at to approve to we're recommending tonight to the board. So uh those are the costs associated with those different things with our employees. And so uh with that brief summary uh I will stand down and answer any questions if possible. Actually I I got have one question. Um, on the minimum wage increase, how the state does it every year, does it max out? Pardon me, could you repeat that? So, the minimum wage increase that the voters voted in the raises every year, does that minimum wage, do we have a
035cap on that for the state? Do you know? I I'm Madam President, governing board members, we are at the mercy of the state implementing that in January 1st of each year. And that is determined and it has not been determined for next year yet, but that we get that give or take within the month or so prior to January of what that's going to look like. And so Mary D, I don't know if you have any Yeah, there isn't a max or a cap to answer your question. Thank you. So yeah, we're at the mercy of inflation in the equation they have in place. Do we currently have a breakdown of how much of the salary increase is for minimum wage increases? Madame President, could you repeat that question? So, there's a salary increase in
036here, but this is just the straight salary increase. It's not for the minimum wage increase. Uh, Madame President, governing board members, first we have to we don't have any options. We have to increase it the minimum wage every time it increases. Right. If I understand you correctly, um, that it's caught up, the minimum wage has caught up to other positions we have. And so with that, we're trying to create that gap to where people are paid accordingly and not just with a minimum wage salary that have a skill set that's more than just minimum wage according to the state of Arizona. Madam President, I think you're asking how much the minimum wage increase has cost us as a district. Is that your question? Sort of. Yeah, I think we can figure that out if Maryell
037does not have that. But so each year as minimum wage goes up, what's the cost to this district? Madam President, what we had estimated for um this coming year was about 75,000 was related to that minimum wage increase. And again, it varies. It was for January of this year. Correct. But we're anticipating another increase coming in January. So, do we know how much this is going to cover that? Madam President, we do look at an average of where it's been. Now, we have seen a more accelerated in the last few years of that inflation just because we've seen a lot, you know, more um increase to to that in the last few years. We anticipate it's kind of starting to plateau. We're starting to see that not necessarily bumping up as much as it has
038in the last three or four years. So, I would suspect about our 75,000 estimate should be pretty accurate. Um, fluctuate here and there a little bit, but I don't suspect it being a a significant increase for the coming year. Okay. Thank you. I just want to thank, Madam President, if I could, all the members of our IBA team for their uh commitment and dedication to the process and and working since October to come up with um some of these great ideas and bring them forward. So, thank you to all those that were involved. I appreciate your efforts. Ditto. Uh Dr. Dr. Croto and also I'm it it's it's nice to see such a a detailed breakdown, you know, coming out of of IBA process and just the thoughtfulness that some of these are salary increases,
039some of these are one-time um so as you know to make sure that this is a sustainable um recommendation. So I really appreciate that. All right, we will move ahead to action discussion H1. Dr. Croto. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, tonight we bring forward a recommendation for our director of curriculum and instruction and assessment for our preK to 8. And Mr. Mattingley will take this item. Um, Madame President, Governor, board members, uh, Connie Wolfford, if I can ask you to, you have to. Yes, that's right. So it it is definitely an honor and a pleasure on behalf of cabinet to uh announce to the governing board to recommend position of director curriculum instruction assessment for our prek8 position. Uh Connie Wolfford Wolfford and uh I want to share just a little bit about Connie if
040I may. uh with over 10 years of experience in the administration, uh six years being at Freedom, um you know, and I was writing these notes down and I'm like, what an honor to serve such a school with such incredible teachers, support staff, certified staff uh to do some of the feats they put together. Uh and u the credit should go to those incredible soldiers doing those things. Uh but soldiers need a good leader as well. And so with that, uh, we're excited to recommend Connie for this position. And in the last three years, I I would be remiss not to say that, uh, Freedom, uh, has been put on the map at the level of state testing when it comes to being recognized as, uh, this past year the seventh highest score, the state
041scores, our test scores at Freedom. So, uh, I'm sure there's many that are very saddened by this, but the district is elevating, uh, someone's competent level to take us to a different level from a district level instead of a school level. So, on that, I will stand down and, uh, that's it. I'll stand down. Thank you, Mr. Mattingley. Um, I'm gonna I'm gonna rush in here um and just say that it's an honor to move to approve the appointment of the lovely Connie Wolfford as director of curriculum instruction and assessment preK through 8. seconded by Jennifer Drake. Motion carries. Congratulations, Tommy. Congratulations. I appreciate it. Thank you so much. Before you step away, I just want you to know you got you you set the bar pretty high at freedom. So now now you're going
042to do the curriculum for K through eight for the whole district. So we expect every elementary to be as good as Freedom. Okay. No pressure. Yeah. Thank you. I appreciate it from a from a Freedom parent. We'll we will miss you. Oh, thank you. Definitely miss everybody at Freedom for sure. Thank you again. Thank you. [Applause] Next up, we have item H2. Dr. Curto. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, tonight we bring you the uh yearly salary placement schedules for approval, and Mr. Manningly will introduce this item. Uh, thank you, Madam President, governing board members. Uh the administration is recommending the approval of the 2526 uh salary placement schedules for all certified, licensed, administrative, and classified employees as presented. As a reminder, we we just spoke about it briefly. Uh these salary schedules, you'll see a
043difference of a 1% increase of the base uh uh on all these salary schedules and uh that's to obviously to u ensure that we keep competitive and honor those that want to work in Daizart. Uh so uh with that I will stand for any questions. Thank you. Um we're free to discuss but I'll go ahead and move to approve uh the 2025 2026 salary placement schedules as presented. Seconded by Jennifer Drake. Motion carries. Right. Moving ahead to item H3. Dr. Croto. Thank you, Madam President. Tonight we continue with our district extracurricular supplemental um assignments. So, our pay schedules again for um the extracurricular supplemental. And Mr. Mangley will introduce this. Uh thank you Madam President, Governor, board of members. Real quick, thank you uh on behalf of IBA. That what the previous agenda item was
044an IBA recommendation. So thank you. Uh the third uh action discussion item is basically our stipens that we use throughout our district for our certified staff and our support staff classified staff. And so this is a state requirement that has take place annually. And so, uh, we bring this to you to tonight for your consideration. I motion to approve the district extracurricular extracurricular activ or supplemental assignment contract agenda pay schedules for the 2025 2026 school year is presented. Motion carries. All right, moving ahead to item H4. Dr. Croto. Thank you, Madam President. Uh tonight we bring to you um some work over the last few months from not only our bond committee um but a few study sessions on the governing board for an adoption to for resolution ordering and calling for a bond election.
045Um as I said uh the committee met a few times um over the last few months uh they have come up with a recommendation as you heard at the last meeting um a unanimous recommendation by the committee for uh calling of the bond of 127 million. Uh again this is time uh we did have a study session last week for the board to further look into this. Um and we are bringing that recommendation to you for action and any discussion that the governing board may have. So with that I will turn it over to our governing board. Thank you Dr. Curtto. And with that I will move to Can can we discuss before we go to move? So I question the the fact that we need to do the full bond of 127 million. Um,
046I I think that we we should uh consider going with a lower amount and we should also consider that that would help if anyone wants to get this passed, that would help it pass because we can actually say we're lowering taxes while we pass a bond. And I think it would be a great idea because part of this bond is land for a high school. So, if we if strategic wise that means we're going to have to build a high school in the future, which means we'll have to bond out for a high school. High schools I I I heard cost about $130 million on average. So, that that would probably double the education tax for that bond alone. So, I I think this is a great great time for us to do something different.
047understand that taxpayers have been hurting for the last four years with high inflation. We have um foreclosures I see are already starting to go up a bit, especially in my neighborhood. And we should understand that uh when people have been squeezed at the grocery store that asking to keep the tax rate at the same level is probably not the most wisest if we want to get something passed. Uh this reminds me of like where I work. You know, I'll go in and ask for I need six headcount because I feel that my my employees or my team members are overworked and well the budget can only call for three. So I make it work. We you know I I I talk about kind of having to fix our sins of the past. Um and I
048when I talk about this I this none of this is personal. I'm not making it personal at all. Um, but when you look at the fact that what 70 buses are over the age of 15, it's because we bought a a bunch of buses at one time, which kind of gives you this bubble which is going to that bubble is going to carry unless you can continue to replace buses. If we go out and we replace all the all these buses again, we're kind of just passing the buck 20 years later. And I don't think that's fair to the taxpayers. I don't think it's fair to our stakeholders and I think we can take a step back and say, "Okay, you know what? We can do what's right. We can still pass a bond, but
049we don't have to make it where we're just going to ask for everything we want. We're going to we're going to ask for a number that makes it work for us, makes it works for the taxpayers." And there's a like next agenda item is kind of coexists in this is, you know, can can we honestly say let's do something that helps everyone. Nobody gets exactly what they want, but we move the needle in a positive way. And if if if you ask me, the the number I that we should go for is less than 100. Thank you for your comments. Um I was present at all of the um bond meetings for the last um year and a half or so, maybe minus one or two. And in those conversations, it it's never been a
050tax decrease. It would always have been a tax increase. I don't believe that that would be truthful truthful election statement um that we're decreasing taxes. Is that correct? Madame President, um that for the bond that is correct. This would be an additional tax no matter what amount. That is correct. That's a correct. So even if it was under 10000,000, it would still be a tax increase. Correct. Okay. Um and with regards to the new high school, so yes, this bond is for the land. Um but my understanding is that once we had secured the land, it would be potent there would be potential for us to get a school based on um you know the average daily membership at our district as a whole that we would probably qualify at some point down the road
051for school facilities to kick in and help us. Madam President, that that's correct. Um eventually we will hit the trigger number for SFD if they don't switch their funding. Obviously their funding is fluctuates yeartoyear. So um but that is correct. Eventually we will hit that number to have them help us with a high school. They don't necessarily pay for the entire high school. They help us um with the high school. Thank you. I got a question about the comment on taxes. How did we use the slogan that we were going to keep taxes the same if we passed 127 million last year when if we pass 100 million or 99 million taxes go up? Um, no. Uh, it's it's I I understand what you're saying. So, it's it's how we sell the bonds. Mary Dell,
052do you want to talk about that? So, we we control the tax rate based on the issuance of bonds. So Mary Dell can kind of explain that a little bit. It's an additional tax to our taxpayers, but we control the rate at which they pay the tax. So Mary Dell, right? So Madam President, members, so yes, the way the current bonds uh we have four fiscal years remaining on the current existing bonds and so they currently are at about 83 cents to every 100,000 of assessed valuation. And so the ongoing um payment structure is about 83 cents.75 cents um 61 cents and ultimately the final payment is about 29 cents. So in working with our underwriter on how the restructuring and the financing would work is at that year the first year that the bonds
053um if if approved would be phased in. They would layer into the currently already decreasing tax rate. So it would phase in so it never exceeds what the current tax rate currently is. Um, and then ultimately when our current existing bonds phase out and are fully paid off in fiscal year 28, the ongoing rate is still essentially half of what we've currently been paying because it will be issued out um paid over 15 years or so. I think that is the recommended um structure is over 15 years. And so ultimately, yes, if the current existing bonds are paid off, there would be no no tax at all. Um, but this phasing these in doesn't cause a tax rate to go up. It will still just be an ongoing flat rate, if not a decrease ultimately
054when the current bonds are paid off entirely. So $30 million won't make a difference. We can I mean that's what I'm hearing. I mean, maybe I'm confused, but I mean, $30 million is a lot of money, and if we told everyone at 127 million last year, taxes, we're going to stay the same. We take $30 million off that, I mean, can't we just do the same thing where we can actually lower taxes while we do it? U Madam President, members, yes. So, there were a few options discussed at the study session. Um, one of those was presented was the 95 million at a 15-year. Um and that one the average tax rate um over 100,000 assessed valuation for that 95 million would be about $24 for every 100,000 assessed valuation for the year. Um in
055comparison to the 127 million option would be about 32 um cents on $100,000 assessed valuation home. So about $8 difference um between a $95 million versus 127 million. Okay. I do want to bring up something and Mr. Scava, I hear you, but when I was attending the override committee meeting, there were recent things that have been brought to light like our elevators are starting to fail. We have some facilities with leaking roofs. You have bathrooms in repair, an HVAC system. The average is about 12 years. How many people live in Arizona and can go 12 15 years without replacing your HVAC? We I I would love to see it less, but where we're at right now, I don't think it's even feasible. I asked for more with everything that we have going on. We have
056to maintain good schools or it's going to impact all of us. So, I hear what you're saying. I would love to see that, but I don't see any feasible way. Not when you have to repair elevators, roofs, HVACs, uh, buy land, and the school buses. Yeah, we did. Maybe they did it that way, but the way that they're looking at doing to phase in more purchasing so that we're not in this boat 15 years from now. So, um I I just want to say that, you know, I don't think any of I don't believe that any of us really love um you know, increasing taxes for anyone. Um but with that said, I'm I'm been like a broken record on this, but I really do think that it's irresponsible of us not to call for
057a bond election. Um, we have a lot of needs in this district and we're just slapping band-aids after band-aid after band-aid and they're not even the name brand ones. I mean, they just, you know, it it's hard um to manage our budget with all of the fires that we have to put out constantly. And as our community has even given us some um pretty harsh feedback lately on our transportation decisions, um we see how much this is going to impact our community and our families that rely on our bus transportation. But again, it's irresponsible to place kids on unsafe buses. We have to take them out of the rotation and we had to cut routes because of that. And I would like to put those routes back in. I'd like to get new buses for
058our students. I would like for our Asante families not to have to put their kids on a bus for an hour a day, hour plus a day, stuck in traffic. It it's it's not a fun situation um for our community as a whole. It's not fun for us as board members to make these decisions. Um but you know we have not passed a bond successfully in what 19 20 years now. It's 2006 so this would be 20 years um we're looking at um you know I can't force voters to to to make the the right call on it but the need is clear and I think that we need to once again let the voters decide. Um, with that, I'm going to make a motion to adopt the resolution ordering and calling for a bond
059election in the amount of $127 million. [Music] I would like to make it some other comments about um what does it cost for like one bus? What what is the price for it? Madam President, members I range um from about 220,000 to about 260,000 or so. um depending if it's a special education bus versus a regular educ education bus. Okay. So, we did um the most recent purchase. Yeah. Only about one a little over $200,000 each. Okay. Cuz it says you've got 17 million for bus replacements. So, we need you're saying like 70 buses or I don't Madam President members. Yes. Those are the the reference the buses that are exceeding the 2008 and older. That's about that range is what would be needed to be replaced. And then safety and security. Your your budget
060is like 17 million for that also. I'm sorry I I missed the question. It says for safety and security you're budgeting 17 million for the bond or out of that. U madam president members I correct that is what's listed in the the discussion that um was previously had on the v various safety security needs um that were outlined um previously in the study sessions and as well as throughout the committee. If there's no other discussion, we'll call for the vote. Motion carries. Thank you. Moving on to item H5. Dr. Croto. Thank you, Madam President. Um, moving on to H5 is a recommendation being brought forth for a continuence of our um override which is currently at 15%. Again, we did uh look at all the options in our study sessions and um and the committee
061um did recommend as you heard in last meeting 15%. Again, I bring that to the governing board. Um this is our fifth year in this. So, if a override is we do not have a continuation of an override um we will begin the cutting phase in in three years. So, um, our overrides approximately 25 million right now. So, that's roughly a little bit more than 8 million a year we'd need to be begin cutting, um, should an override not be called for or not pass. So, with that, and that was all outlined in our study session. So, with that, I will turn the recommendation over to the governing board for any discussion or questions. I I do want to bring up something. You said that with this override this year it's ending, correct? And then
062we're going to start an $8 million cut for next year. Madame President, member, um, destination. No. So, we are currently um, apologies. In fiscal year 2425, we are in year four of the override. Starting next year is the final year of full funding. So, we will be entering year five next year. Fiscal year 2526. If not renewed by the voters, it does start entering into one-third phase out starting fiscal year 2627. another third from there in 27 28 and then fully phased out at that point. Okay. Because I'm just looking at the history and all I am really concerned about putting both on a ballot right now. I feel that this bond is so imperative for our school district that we have so many things we really need to do that I'm just concerned with
063the doing the maintenance and the m this year is all I just wanted to put that out there because I don't think it's a good time. So member D I want to be sure I I understood. So um if not renewed this coming year as discussing election it is an automatic phase out the following year. So, November 25. So, let's use dates. So, if it is not reduced in in November 25, beginning July 1 of 26, the district will need to cut $8 million approximately. And we would start those conversations probably in December or January of December of this year, January of next year. Yes. Okay. I make a motion to uh recommendation to the governing board to call for the continuation of the 15% special maintenance and operations override and authorize expenditures necessary to
064order, notice, and administer the election. Second. Motion carries. Next, we have uh requests for future agenda items. Okay. Hearing none, I move to adjourn the meeting. Second. third. Motion carries. We are adjourned. Thank you.