HUSD Governing Board Meeting Jan 13, 2026

001Is it not working? You can unplug mine. Good evening. I appreciate uh you all waiting. I recognize we're a couple minutes behind, but we've got new things and that, you know, is always takes a minute. I don't know why that's happening. I would like to call this meeting to order. Mr. Lenheiser, may I have roll call, please? >> President Wade, please uh let the record show that all members are here and present for our work study tonight. >> Thank you. Please join me in a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. Okay. I motion to approve the agenda. Second. I'm going to go with Miss Garman on that, but you guys were at the exact same time. Also, I have no idea. I apologize for the It's delightful. Um, that would be Miss

002German seconding. Oh, >> you know what? It did. Look at us. So, do I fun facts. Do I I'm assuming I still in this process say all those in favor and we just do it here. >> Please submit your vote. >> Okay, great. Please submit our vote, folks. Oh, is it up there? Wow, look at this. Sorry you're holding out on me. I appreciate that. >> So the motion passes 5. Upcoming events. Mr. Watsonheiser for the superintendent report. It's very short today. Uh we just have upcoming events as again this is a work study which is why we have no celebrations, higgly happenings or recognitions from schools. And so you can see uh Monday, January 19th is MLK day. So, we are off from school that day. We do have a superintendent and cabinet and

003governing board visit to Centennial. We're excited about on Thursday, January 22nd. Our next board meeting is Tuesday, January 27th. And then we're starting the kindergarten roundup. We know how important that is to get all the prospective kindergarteners ready to join our elementary schools on January 29th at 5:30 p.m. And that concludes the upcoming events and the superintendent's report. Uh thank you Mr. Lsonheiser. This brings us up to uh board organization. We will now accept nominations for governing board president for the 2026 uh year. >> Madame President, I would like to nominate you for board president. I mean, I will um do it again if that is what that that asking is and whatever it is that we decide. Um does anybody else have anything else or anybody else they'd like to nominate? Um I do

004I'd like to read a statement. As I enter my fourth year on this board, I continue to take the role um take seriously the responsibilities entrusted in me by our voters, our students, and our community. From the beginning, I have focused my work on transparency and accountability and on ensuring that the board decisions are grounded in clear and accurate information. I've consistently raised questions related to curriculum, finance, finances, and district operations to help clarify issues before decisions are made and to ensure that the public has clear understanding of board actions. I have advocated for responsible budgeting that prioritizes classrooms and teachers while remaining financially sustainable. I have also raised legal and compliance considerations when relevant with the goal of ensuring that we remain um we avoid unnecessary risk. That work hasn't always been easy or

005popular, but has it has always been grounded in doing what is right for our students and for the district as a whole. I have maintained full attendance at board meetings, study sessions, and I do my best to attend as many school and community events as possible to stay connected to our campuses, community leaders, and the students and families we serve. I also work to maintain an open and honest communication with the superintendent and bring up any concerns that I might have or that the community brings to me. and I take that responsibility um seriously. Excuse me. As we consider board leadership, I believe it's important to set political um to set personal politics aside and focus on fairness and opportunity over time. Leadership roles should be accessible to all board members during their service. And

006a healthy board benefits from a shared responsibility and perspective. I believe that perspective is that perspective is worth considering as part of this decision as I enter my fourth year. In considering fairness over time, it is also relevant that other board members will each have um will each have two years remaining in this in the in their term after this year, allowing additional opportunities for leadership service going forward. Every board member who serves is willing and is willing to do the work, lead professionally, and uphold the responsibilities of governance should have the opportunity to serve in this role. Leadership, development, perspective, and fairness matter in a functioning board. Serving as board president would mean carrying out the responsibilities of the role with consistency and strong focus on process, facilitating meetings, ensuring procedures are followed, and

007maintaining respectful and clear governance with a focus on students and outcomes. For those reasons, I nominate myself for board president and respectfully ask for your consideration. Thank you. Go ahead, Mr. German. >> I um I would like to I'm feeling like board member Glover might have some good insight, some ideas. He's very approachable. He knows some class insight, etc. And he might be a good um middle ground uh to enact kind of some ideas and kind of find the the middle road. But he's also workable. He's able to work, men bridges, commute, keep the communication going, etc. So, I want to lean. That's my feeling tonight. >> President Wade, board member Glover, is that something that you >> uh Yeah. I can't multi Thank you. That's very That's very kind of you, Miss Charman. I

008uh I have a really hard time multitasking and uh I don't think I would be a very good board president, so I would decline at this time. Thank you though. That's >> Do we have anything else that anybody desires to express? We have two nominations. We can't proceed without a second. Um Oh. To be clear, totally fine. >> I just am going off past. >> Yes. >> So, I make this motion for the f I'll do. Do you want to go first or do you want me to go the first one that was said? We'll do me. Sure. Great. So, uh, I motion for myself, Amanda Wade, to be board president. I don't enjoy that. >> Second. >> So, do we vote on here? >> Please indicate your vote, folks. So that motion carries 32.

009This brings us to Yeah, I know. I was seeing if I have to do anything and it does not because we're here. Okay. Indeed. This brings us to 4.2. Uh we will now accept nominations for governing board vice president. Um I would like to make a a a nomination if possible, but I'm willing to open the floor to other folks as well if somebody would like to go first in that. Um, I would like to nominate you, board member Chararm. And part of the reason that I I think that is is I I feel like you've done a lot to kind of keep involved and and keep doing all of those things and you're here at all of the meetings. And so that's where I would I would put my nomination at the present moment

010in time. Um, yeah. Anybody else? Um, I would like to nominate myself. >> Do you need a second at this time, M, Madam President, for either candidate? Okay. >> Okay. Um, I I guess maybe before we vote, considering I haven't done anything other than what I just did, Miss German, is this a position that you would like before I do those types of things? I'm very frank and honest and humble. I appreciate that. And I am I I have so much gratitude for this district. And I know that when I apply myself, I'm able to get stuff done, but I am very honest and frank with people. I'm not perfect. And so, I really appreciate this. And um and yeah, I can do it. I appreciate you guys. >> Board member German, as long as

011President Wade shows up too, there's not a whole ton as long as she shows up to the meetings, there's not a whole ton you have to do as the vice president either. So, >> I've missed a meeting if that makes you feeling better. >> It's not a huge responsibility. So, you take notes during the executive session. Fun facts, because I definitely don't want to do that. Um, well then I will motion for the first name and then depending on that motion for the second name. Uh, I motion for board member Sarah Gar to be board vice president. >> Second. >> Okay, we're going to vote on Here we go. >> You don't even have to move the boxes. They go away for you. Miss Zimmerman, while that vote is going, do you want me to

012record anything in here or because it's there, you care less about these? Excellent. Okay. Um, so that motion carries 4 to one as well, which means you all will need to switch seats. Can we maybe take like a two-minut break to switch seats? Is that We're going to recess for two minutes, everybody. Okay, this brings us to that was not a full two minutes, everybody. I apologize. >> Well, may I congratulate our new president and vice president and thank our outgoing vice president for her service? Yes, indeed. I appreciate it. This brings us to consent agenda items. I motion to approve consent and a consent agenda items 5.1 through 5.11. Second. That'd be Miss German seconding. Okay. Please submit your vote. Look at that. Look at that. Bam. Man, that's impressive. Okay, motion carries. 50.

013We would like to thank Travis Ber, Joe Ericoli, I hope I said that correct. I did not see this ahead of time to ask. I apologize. Power Ranch PTO and anonymous donor for their generous donations to the district. All right, great. All right. Up first, we have 6.1 information items. We are looking at the 2026 2027 budget options. Mr. Latinheiser, >> President Wade, members of the board, tonight we're coming back to continue a discussion we started on January 9th in terms of what we're looking for at the M budget for the 2627 school year. And so the goal of tonight uh like I said on December 9th was to come back and provide different options for you uh to consider and then in two weeks we'll come back and ask for the board to make

014a decision about which one of the options they would like to select. And so while I go through this um presentation, please feel free to ask questions during the middle of it. I know that we will be having uh individual meetings as well within the next two weeks with governing board members uh for any clarity that they might look for as well. And so just a reminder, our process started back in 2025 um in last spring. We did a community input via a survey. We submitted a survey and got in feedback from our community uh staff also via a survey as well as we have a meet and confer process that we do with the association uh where we talk about different ideas what the budgeting looks like. We have our administrative group. It's providing

015constant feedback for us via a lot of meetings and individual meetings as we look for input again on this budget process. And like I said on December 9th, what it was really important I think for our community was to listen to you governing board members as you provided your priorities on what it looked like moving forward. So tonight we're going to talk about three different options. I'm going to talk through those with you and then we're going to ask for board action at the January 27th governing board meeting. So this is just a very similar slide to what I showed on December 9th. And again, we're facing uh some different reductions that we need to do out of our M budget based upon two different things. Want to be very clear that there are two

016different uh ways that we're looking at. The first part is the 3 million. That's enrollment loss. That is not due to the override at all or any reductions by the override. That's because we have less students and we're planning on less students. And so when we do that, we have to reduce our budget by the amount. All of these are approximate because every kid's a little bit different, but these are all approximate amounts that we're going to do. The reason we have 3 million is if we have a consistent enrollment uh reduction over the next three years, it would be 3 million each year. The green bar represented on the picture represents uh the elimination of the different percentages of the override. Currently, in this current year, uh we would need to eliminate an additional

017$4.8 million out of the budget, whereas next year would be $4.2 two million out of the budget because next year would be the true year that we receive zero monies due to an override because that has been phased out over the last three years. We talked about carry forward and that's been a big discussion that's happened over the last multiple years. The carry forward is our savings account. Basically, what we don't spend, we carry forward. At the last meeting, I presented a number around 17 million, but I said we're looking at ways as a district that we can put more money into our carry forward, knowing that our carry forward can help sustain us while we do reductions over time uh due to the loss of enrollment and the override. And so, we've been able

018to adjust the estimated amount of carry forward, it will be about $19 million. Additionally, we have classroom site fund monies that are limited monies that we can spend on only those uh certified employees that are eligible for the classroom site fund. We have a carry forward of about $15 million in that account. And then and I'll just mention it uh we always understand that the uh AAL or the aggregate expenditure limit that's nothing that we can decide that comes from the state legislature. It has not been enacted the last couple years. If it were to be enacted or enforced, we would have to eliminate $15.5 million. That's the estimation directly from our M account as soon as that would go into effect. Not going to bring that up anymore. I know Mrs. Rush Camp will

019mention it when she does her presentation next just because that's always out there, but it's not anything that we have any control over. That's coming from the state legislature. At our last meeting, we had different themes from the discussion and I I want to uh thank our governing board for sharing their priorities uh publicly with everyone so that we know and it allowed us as a cabinet and myself as the superintendent to develop these options. But themes that we heard from that discussion were to keep elementary specials for our students. Um, we know that those had come up uh when we talked about the override, but we have PE, art, music, media, band, orchestra for our elementary students providing those elementary specials. We heard from uh members of the board do not affect current site

020programs, specifically DLI programs and the Mandarin DI program. As we know, that had come from a survey when we surveyed the community last spring. But the general theme from the governing board was please don't affect that. At the same time, they said you you said look at raises for all employees or increases in compensation. Last year, we did not do any compensation increases out of the M fund for any of our employees. And so to look at that, continue to make sure we're fiscally responsible. So making sure to me that is the long-term plan, not just a one-year stop gap. And to spend down the carry forward to help achieve these priorities. said was very important for us to know and we can provide these options to you. So using these priorities we created the

021following options. Option number one uh is basically is a $3 million reduction. The reason it's 3 million this would be basically covering what would be happening due to enrollment loss. Remember with less students mean we need less teachers and we have some other ways that we need less supports when we have those. And so if you'll take a look at the positions up there between teacher and teacher support 29 positions and then non-teers which would be admin or administrative support which would be six different positions. So basically the idea of this one is we're not going into the loss of the override. We would assume the loss of the override out of the carry forward. And so um it would be the smallest number of reductions. We have to rightsize. So with less kids, we

022have to have less teachers. And I think that's an important thing. When we take a look at the raises, I'm going to use this as an example, okay, of what raises could look like. We brought forward what 2% look like within different categories. And I want to walk through each one of these. The first one with the teacher, it's really anyone who's classroom site fund eligible. It's not just teachers. There's other categories that are in there um to that receive our classroom site fund. If we look at a 2% raise, this would come out of the classroom site fund carry forward and that would be about $900,000 to do 2%. I know some people have thought and said, "What does it look like if it's 3%." 3% would be 1.35 million. I just cut the

023900,000 in half and added half more to it. So, that'd be 1.35%. These aren't set in stone, but these are examples of what the governing board can look. Um, the second one, non-teers hourly would come out of M and it's 3% not two. And let me explain to you why. Every January or for the last couple January, minimum wage increased. Minimum wage just went up this January. In January of 27, it's going to go up again. If we do not provide any in um compensation increases, we will have a category of employees that would not be making minimum wage. we have to raise that for them anyway. 3% will give that threshold, but instead of waiting to January, I'd like to start that in July for those employees. 3% would give us above that threshold.

024And by applying it to everyone and not just the categories that would be affected, we would then allow that we would still on our salary schedule not allow it to be compressed because if you only give to a few, then the salary schedules gets compressed compressed and more people with different roles will be playing a lot closer. So it's a lot more consistent if you give to everybody within that category which would be the non-teers and hourly. And finally non-teers salary and exempt employees would come out of M. These are the employees not eligible for a classroom site fund. 200 or 2% of that is about 170,000. And so you'll notice that the fund that it's coming out is different. One of them is the classroom site fund where we have about $15 million in

025carry for it. And the other are coming from M. And that's where we have around the $19 million and carry forward. And I'll do a summary slide on the end that you guys have already seen in your review that puts all three of these options together. But that's the first option that we'd like to present. The second option is a 300 $3.5 million reduction. Again, we can still continue to streamline different positions and be as efficient as possible as well uh within the district office as well as on sites. You'll notice minor changes to each group. Uh the instructor and instructor support increases to 37 positions where administration and administration support increases increases to 8 and a half positions uh for the total of around 350 or sorry $3.5 million reduction. Um, again, I left

026the the compensation raises slide the same. Option three would be a $4.9 million reduction. And so from there, our instruction and and teacher support would be raised to a number of 52 different positions and non-teers and administrative support would be at 11.5 positions totaling up right around $4.9 million, which would be the reduction. Um, again I left the uh the raise the compensation increases the same. So I think this slide here shows you a nice comparison and I kind of want to walk you through where we get and what the implication would be of each one of these decisions. So if you look at the first column option one we have an anticipated carry forward of around 19 million. Again, these are all estimates. Um, but that's where we're estimating ourselves to be. The base

027level base support level increase. The state legislature, the minimum they can do is 2%. So, we are anticipating a 2% increase to the base level support that will that we're estimating that would provide for us an additional $1.9 million increase within an ML. We know judging from the slide earlier that we need to reduce by about 7.8 8 million 3 million from enrollment loss, $4.8 million from the override reduction. So when you add those together, it gets 7.8 million. If we reduce by 3 million, that means we would still need to cover about 4.8 million of a reduction. A pay increase adds to addition what we need to uh what what more we need to cover out of the carry forward. So as the example I used, it's $.85 85 million, meaning, and this is

028the bolded number, we would need to take 5.65 million out of our carry forward to be able to cover that plan. So, if you take the 19 and add the 1.9, that gives you 20.9 million carry forward plus the increase, subtract the 5.65 million, and you're left with 15.25 25 million in carry forward which means we are estimating at the end of next year after we go through everything we would have a carry forward of around 15.25 million. Each of the columns just represents the three different options. Option two then we would we would uh do more of a reduction by half a million dollars which would mean that our carry forward would be higher. So you'll see the remaining carry forward after the reduction would be about 15.75 million. And then option three uh

029that would be the most reduction that we're proposing the 4.9 million which would mean out of carry forward we would do 3.75 million which would leave us a carry forward of around 17.15 million. That is just out of ML and we had had minor discussions in the past when talking about this. What's the appropriate level of carry forward to have going forward? There are different levels that we can do. At the $17.15 million left over, that's still over 20% of our annual M budget that would be in carry forward. Uh the the bottom one where it says CSF, that's the classroom site fund. Um right now we have a $15 million uh surplus in there. After the pay increase, that would reduce it. That's a 0.9 million to reduce it to about 14.1 million. So,

030one of the questions that gets asked is, is this sustainable? Right? Can we look at these raises? Can we look at some of the decisions we're making? Is this sustainable uh from a classroom site fund? Yes, there are multiple years. We know that it's going to continue to be funded, I believe, up through 2040. And so, we know that we're still going to get income from the state in from the state sales tax as well. So that will go into the 15 million and then we'll pay out after that. We do believe it's sustainable for multiple multiple years. If you take a look at each of the other options as we as we spend down the carry forward, it is sustainable, but it's not sustainable over 5 years. It's sustainable over a few years to

031allow us to do that reduction. And what we really are worried or not worried what we're working to get to is a point where if we have no override then our our balance and all we would do is be adjusting not for loss of override anymore but just for our enrollment loss anticipated enrollment loss. So is it sustainable within the short term the next couple years? Absolutely it is if you take a look at where it's at. But ultimately we would get to a point where we would say we can't go further than this point in our savings account. we can't get a further percentage. And I think that's important for people to understand that when we talk about this fiscal responsibility, we're talking about yes, we believe we can control this for the next

032two to three years, but there will become a point yet where there we could not sustain out of our savings account anymore because we are spending uh more than we're taking in. And so these are the different three options uh that we had looked at and that I'd like to present to the governing board um so that when we come back on the 27th you guys will have an opportunity to think do your research on what you'd like to do and come and ready to make a decision on the 27th. With that I'd like to open it up to any questions that you would have uh concerning the budget proposals. >> Mr. Lotsiser for clarification. We also can meet with you over the course of the next two weeks to discuss some of these things

033in terms of if we have follow-up questions or anything else that we might individually have. Correct. >> That that is correct. uh to come in and I know we already have one scheduled and we'll be meeting tomorrow and that's perfect and uh to come in and me and my team will be able to help answer questions, provide background so then when you guys come back you can still ask those same questions out in front of everyone and we can have a discussion about where you would like to see. But really with when you came out at the 9th and said, "Hey, spend carry forward to cover some of these reductions that allowed us to put some of these options together." >> President Reed, um Mr. um obviously I want to lose the least amount of

034people and in fact the most least amount of programs possible, but I have a question. Um as a ballpark number, how many teachers leave us each year? And I know we've gotten the number, but do you have like a an average? >> You know, when we look at at 29, I know it's greater than 29. I think last year, and I'll look at HR if I remember correctly, it was in the '9s >> about we hired 91 teachers last year over the course of the year. And so when we're taking a look at the reductions, all of these have reductions. We're anticipating that we will have attrition to be able to cover those and we will cross that bridge if we do not have attrition in terms of what it looks like to redo do

035a reduction in force to make sure that we meet those needs. But typically we have had to hire more than 29 or more than 36 or 37 positions. It's been close. It's like I said 91 last year. So when we say that the reduction of 29 we wouldn't actually be letting people go it would be >> we are hoping not to now is a wonderful place that could happen but on average usually we lose correct that many. So >> but if people want to stay then we would have to get into a position that you know um that there might have to be some reductions and we would come and discuss that with the governing board once we get to that point so you're clear on the process we would use. >> Okay, perfect. Thank

036you. Oh, sorry. I just have one more thing you said. >> Sorry, I didn't. >> Um, and I you can go ahead. Okay. I just had one more thing. Um, you said um that we're working to work within our budget, >> right? As far as the loss of numbers still though after two to three years, we will without an override just to make it clear. I just that we would still have to cut programs and we would still have to >> at some point we would get to the Yes. after spending our carry for because right now >> right now our carry for it is that's what's covering it, right? We save up for a rainy day and it's raining. Okay. So, yes, that can cover us, but at some point we would get to

037the point where we could not be fiscally responsible for us to maintain things the way that they are because we wouldn't have enough in savings to be able to handle catastrophic things that happen within the district. And so to be safe, we would do that. Do we have a few years that we can cover? Yes, we do. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. I just wanted to make that that clear. Thank you, >> President Wayne. Thank you. So, um thank you, Mr. Lsonheiser. So, if the uh and I'm going to laugh as I say this because I've I've worked in Arizona too long, but if, for example, the legislature comes through with more than expected, maybe some of these 35 to 63.5 jobs uh could could stay. They they benefit our local economy, etc. Um if

038we can look at uh the first example uh the one that talks about attrition I think it's the least disruptive one. Um I just want to say that if any teachers know that they are leaving the sooner that you can let people know um just so people understand if every PE teacher in Higgley retired this year this just doesn't solve our problem. Sure, we pro we probably would have, you know, 29 something less teachers, but we need to have, you know, enough first grade teachers. We need to have enough high school English teachers. So, the sooner that uh anyone anticipates and knows that they are leaving, if you could let your supervisor know to let HR know, that really does help with planning as you go through attrition. What that means is sometimes, let's just

039say for example, um you had I'm making this up, uh 60 kids and for whatever reason, maybe they maybe the year started more and there's 60 kids in in a third grade. Um and you have three teachers and it's 20. It just so happened. That's a magical unicorn number. That's not true, but just for the sake of argument. um then this coming year with attrition I think we would have to say to ourselves we're only going to have maybe two sections of that future fourth grade with 60 people. So we have to look at those things which unfortunately means that some people that have taught at a school and have all the clothing and stuff that goes with a school um may not be at the school that they want. These are just some of

040the realities that you face. Um but people can still work here. I think it's it's terrible. I think, you know, have a good plan for volunteers first. There are people that may be unhappy at a campus, identify those people that that and uh and do everything we can to make a move. So, I really like the uh idea of attrition. I think it's the least intrusive. Um and then I just I I don't know if Mr. Lenheiser wants to hit, Mr. Fields, Mr. Armstrong, u Miss Miller, have you have we what what input have we received from any levels of staff um about their preferences? because unfortunately they're probably looking at this number and you see what was it 60 52 teachers that's got to give some people some heart palpitations until we can give

041them more clarity. So what are have you guys had any feedback from people any suggestions about other ways that we could save money? you know our processes again when we looked at uh individual staff we really use that meet and confer process where people have an opportunity through the uh HA provides input for us as we have those discussions as well um we definitely had this the surveys and things from last year and I I get the uncertainty right we know it that's it's a reality for all of us right sizing your district is really easy when you're growing and and it's really hard when you're not. >> And so, um, that idea of the transfer and and asking for volunteers knowing that that a grade level might have to go from three to two

042is actually something we've done in the elementaryaries for the past I know two years perhaps three years already we've gone through that as some campuses are bigger and some campuses are smaller and to be able to fit that and I know Mr. Armstrong has that plan uh in place with the administrators already. And so, you know, any anyone that has an idea, I would encourage them to talk to their site supervisor and their principal if they're on the side to then talk to one of us. I think that's a very important way that they can continue to talk to that and give ideas. I I do, you know, want you to know like we listen, we hear ideas, and we go through them. And at the same time, ultimately as a cabinet and myself as

043a superintendent, I'm the one that's going to be responsible for coming and giving you guys the options of what's moving forward. And that's a responsibility that we signed up when we came into leadership. >> Um, I appreciate the work and the time that it took to put these together. um because a it's never fun and it never feels great. Obviously, we have a couple weeks of time before we get to decide how it is that we feel and gives us time to sit with this decision and those types of things. I I do wish to make a statement for myself personally um before next meeting. I also can't promise that I won't repeat that. So I apologize in that I have struggled for the three years that I have been on the board much as

044I have struggled throughout my career in education and that is getting people to understand what it is that we really do. Getting people to understand what really takes place in the walls of a public education school and getting people to understand what public education in this state faces and how that's different from other states. And even though that we are where we are with respect to financing and per pupil spending um we perform remarkably well admirably so it is hard to sustain a commitment to something when you feel as if you're screaming into a void and people just don't care or people don't see or people don't recognize what really is happening. I have for the time that I've been on this board worked really hard at making efforts to do what is best for

045long-term decisions with respect to this district. And I take that position seriously. It's what gives me anxiety. And when I sit up here making gagging noises all the time, this will not be easy. I'm not in the business of taking something that is doing well and messing it up. I struggle that we have a community that cannot see how remarkably lucky they are that they live where they live. It's hard for me to hear folks talk about public education in a way that is riddled with lies or not accurate for Higgley. So, let's remind ourselves of what our staff has done even though we've had to tighten our belts or look at other things or make great changes as we feel with all of this because we did not give braces last year. And yet,

046we have an entire community of folks who were told that they weren't important enough or none of this matters and our kids don't matter enough to continue to make a payment towards their future. And I struggle with that. As we have talked, Mr. Lenheiser and I have expressed at least in some form, I am resistant to doing something that does not set us up for long-term success. I look at our savings account and the idea that we have buildings that are old. We literally have today to fulfill the fact that two of our schools don't have, I don't know, cooling towers because they're old. These are hard decisions to make because that's what savings is for. and we don't again seem to have folks recognize the validity of the things that it is that we

047are doing. I am with Mr. Glover in terms of I desire not to make a lot of things that will make drastic changes. But at the end of the day, if we are doing things right in here in Higgling, and by my estimation, if we have solutions that we can do to continue to do what we are doing, that seems like the choice to make when we are doing things as well as we are. Every single one of our schools is an A. That's remarkable. Our test scores continue to do well. And yes, we had dips like the rest of the world with respect to COVID and what that looked like, but at the end of the day, Higgley keeps showing up and ultimately that comes down to our staff. And so again, for the

048individuals that are here and those that are listening at home, it matters. You matter. This position matters. Nobody likes any of this. Right now, we don't have anything on the horizon in terms of an election in for our override and what the future looks like. Obviously, we are going to have to do that. There is no way that we don't do that if we hope to continue to make Higgley great. We might be able to wait for the next few years and we will take a hit at our savings and our buildings won't look as great and we will have to deal with some of these things like we have in the past, but ultimately for our staff and our teachers, please keep doing what you are doing. Our students are showing the success and

049the growth of the effort and the time that you have taken to continue to do these things. Take time for you. Breathe. For those of you who know what your future looks like, please dearly communicate those things because at the end of the day, as far as a community, I agree with Mr. Watsonheiser in that we absolutely have this, but we have this as a community mindset and we have this as a group of folks who need to take care of each other and that matters and I appreciate the options that are presented to us for stuff that is not great. For those of you in the community who are listening and did not support our override because you said things like we have this carry fort, well then I will expect your vote the

050next time it's on the ballot. we won't have a choice. At the end of the day, we have done remarkable things and we need to continue to do those remarkable things and that requires a community to support it. And so I will continue to support our staff while they do all of these things and I recognize that I am one of five and there are multiple options. But I will promise at the very least that I will continue to do that. What I am asking for is our community to do the same. to make hard choices, to make choices for the future of our children, whether that is yours or not, it's a community effort at the end of the day. And recognize that as of now, your staff, your teachers, and in all honesty,

051our students feel it. The number of kids who knew that there was a possibility of losing specials and everything else, all of this impacts them. So, please thank your teachers. Thank your kids teachers. Remind them that they matter. Remind them that the work that they do matters because all of this is difficult for everybody who's participating. Um let's see. Sorry, I got to scroll back up to my notes. Um, I appreciate the fact that we we have had this um strong M carry forward that allows us to um it gives us time to make thoughtful decisions. Clearly not unlimited time but it gives us time. Um at the same time um we are facing enrollment decline. Um and we need to keep in mind that we can't continue spending at the same level when enrollment

052is trending down. Um the carry forward, you know, will help us manage that transition. Um but it doesn't eliminate the need that we have to make adjustments. Uh M revenue is driven by ADM. Um and and those cuts have to be made. Um you know, compensation, staffing, those are reoccurring costs. Um and the the carry forward luckily allows us to be able to um bridge that gap. Um but one thing I would like to know is um how much of the salary budget um that we currently have is tied to budgeted vacant positions versus filled positions. >> So I don't have that number directly uh in front of me but we can find that and have that for that discussion. And I do know when we do call it vacancy savings, right? When we've budgeted

053for it, but it's not filled. Uh the hard part with a teacher position for instance is while it's not filled, we still have to have a sub in there. So the vacancy savings is not the entire salary, but it's the entire salary minus the cost of the sub. Gets a little trickier when we get into sped because then we have to contract out and typically they cost twice as much as a regular teacher does. So, that doesn't help us within vacancy savings, but I'm more than happy to continue to look at those vacant positions. And I know that we tried to give you a summary uh in the information provided before, but we can continue to have that discussion. >> That'd be great. Just >> remember Van Hook, sorry, I was going to ask too,

054can you include when you give that the explanation of teacher versus something else? So then that way at least when we look at it, we know if it's a teacher position that there's a sub that's filling it. if it's sped, there may be some contracted thing or whatever, but rather than just a vacant position, having that would be helpful. I appreciate it. >> We'll try to do it as deep as dive as possible and we can go through it and if we want more, we'll go back and look for more. And >> yeah, just a a breakdown of the different types of vacant positions um versus, you know, filled positions, also the dollar amount tied to it, and then a breakdown of what that equates to when it comes to benefits. And I believe we're

055we forecasted about 30% >> in benefits. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Um and then looking ahead uh as far as what our natural attrition um is that we anticipate combined with the existing vacancies um and how much of that is required reduction um that could be achieved. uh before eliminating filled positions. >> I I I completely agree with that. That's our goal is that if there's a position that's unfilled, that would be a much better cut than it would be when have someone losing their job. I I agree with that. So, yes. >> Um and yeah, I mean my my intent in this is to consider, you know, vacancy is attrition um discretionary spending and other nonpersonnel measures. um before going to the to the field positions. And then also, you know, considering other controls

056when it comes to possible um travel freezes or uh I know tonight we you know we approved uh I want to say approximately 20,000 in in a Las Vegas trip. And I I understand that you know professional development is part of the job. Um, but that's something that we also should look at is uh any type of large travel freeze that could help us retain some of the funding. Um, and then of course uh other types of um discussions such as our land. Uh, and I'm not sure why that's not part of the discussion. I think it should be um because that is a pretty large sum of money uh that we can consider in this process. Um but then when you look at the options that are provided to us um and doing an

057analysis between all three options. Uh yes the uh option three is the largest staffing reduction. Um but it also preserves the highest level of carry forward. Um and then from just from a fiduciary span standpoint, it offers the you know the strongest buffer um with the enrollment shifts that we are seeing. Um and then you know between state funding and then any type of unexpected cost increases. Uh, I would say that option three would be the safest option. Um, and and the least risky financially uh but also treating 2627 as a transition year. Um, this option also creates the largest immediate impact. Um, but it's also the most financially conservative option. Uh, but that doesn't mean it's not consequencefree. Um, and then as far as, you know, option number two, uh, I think it's the

058least disruptive option, um, operationally. Um it also balances the moderate reductions with the carry forward. So that's a that's a safe option as well. Um but I think as far as option number one um this is definitely the most um this option creates the the longest financial risk that um out of all the options that we have and it's just something to consider when making those decisions. That's all. Thank you. Uh one thing I would like to remind again from this is the um the student loss which we need to keep in mind each year that's separate from the extra in that as our student numbers continue to decrease or if that continues to happen that that will we have to rebudget every year based off FTE. So that's something that always gets done regardless.

059And I again, I know we've talked about it before, but I can't emphasize this enough. At the end of every school year, after the 100 day count, we figure out how many students it is that we have and we have projections and we ask the state for the amount of staff that we have projected to be there. Um, and we have to prove it with numbers because we can't just be like, we're going to have a million. And then they tell us how much FTE they're giving us, how many full-time teachers they're paying for or staff in general, and then we have to appropriate accordingly. We have done this every year. We continue to do this every year. That's why on that chart, I don't know what page it is, but you have the little

060yellow section that's 3 million. I think that's important to keep in mind when we talk about what it is for budgets and where we can save and all of that is that ADM loss is separate than figuring out where we can make up from the fact that the override didn't hit. Sorry, Mr. Dman. Go ahead. >> That's all right. Thank you so much, President Wade. Um, uh, Mr. Lotsenheiser, I just want to emphasize just kind of echo what a few things have been said. Utilize that attrition. Um, travel freezes. That would be a great idea. Pay attention to um, professional development. um see where we can rein in uh student programs just really communicate principles, everybody communicate with the parents and uh and utilize those programs. If those programs are overwhelming their students, um let's

061just reorganize them and make sure that they're really kind of getting that core curriculum. And so then that we then that way we have those numbers more adequate and we can count and plan on those teachers and and such. um there is a constant loss of enrollment and so I really want to propel us as far forward. I think that we can't count on an override. So I really want to protect the safety and um the longterm thing of the district and just plan ahead and really kind of get as conservative get really good in our area um and in our budget. I that's kind of the reality of life. We all have to balance our own budgets at home. So, I just really want to utilize. I know it's kind of hard thing to

062say and kind of frank to say, but I really want to make sure that we are covering our basis and that we don't rely necessarily on things that perhaps the and I'm going to be frank. I am unbiased about certain things, but I just the reality of what we're seeing and how the voters are voting. Um, I don't want to count on something and just have it not planned for it and have it not show up. So, my goal is to really protect the district and really kind of get in what in in that wiggle room that uh keeps the students keeps the money there as longterm as we can. I hope that makes sense. Thank you. >> Did you have something or are we trying to move on? Okay, thanks. So um I like

063I again uh you know I option one for us I think gives us time to have discussions. I really would like for uh all the people that work here, send their kids here, etc. um to find places that we can save and reorganize and find efficiencies. And I hope that we're open to any of those ideas that do that. Um, I've seen a a district I I was in one that sort of rushed with great haste and uh rift a bunch of people, told them they were going to be rifted and as time went on with the natural attrition that happened, all of those people um that wanted to were came back, but some had already left and to never ever ever return. Um, and those things sting. And so the, you know, the the

064better job we can do without having to do that to people, uh, the better off we will be long term. Um, because I want this to be a place where people send their kids and that the employees are also happy. Um, and I also wanted to thank, we've already made some cuts last year, so I wanted to thank the people who are already doing more with less and will continue to do so. And uh you know, not to be Eeyore, but uh health care costs are going to you know, I mean, I haven't seen anyone that said healthcare costs are going down next year. So that's another thing that we're going to have to absorb as well. >> Yeah, thank you for that, Mr. Glover. Uh something else I would like to say, I'm struggling

065because it feels as if we're talking out of two sides out of our mouth sometimes in that we know that we have ADM loss. We also talk about what can we do to make Higgley be the place that people want to come to. How can we achieve both things at once? How can we make cuts to all the things that are good for us and cut all of these things while simultaneously being like, "We're so great. Keep coming in here." Like, I I'm not disagreeing with you that of these options, they're not the best. And some of them put us in a little bit more of a financially strenuous situation given the fact of the, you know, a difference in 500,000 or 2 million depending on which policies or plans we're talking about. But two

066things cannot be true. We cannot exist in this world and continue to do the things that we are doing without money to accomplish those things. So like I I I struggle if somebody has the answer. If somebody's sitting at home and being like, "Yes, these are the things," then please tell me because I don't see how these things can coexist. If we're sitting here saying we need to figure out how to capture more families in our district, how to take those numbers of people who aren't coming here, how do we do that on hopes and dreams? Like I something has to give. There has to be some sort of logic that gets put in here in that we exist in the real world. I get that we are a government entity and we are not

067a private business and we are beholden to so many different things that regular folks don't even really understand but yet at the end of the day we still have to work with real people with real money and exist in this real space and so if we want to continue to say Higgley is great we care about you as a staff which to Mr. Glover's point. Absolutely. I can tell you the last time we've riffed what kind of staff you get in its place and it's not great. It's not. And I can tell you what happens when you don't support staff. There are business models that talk about how great these businesses are when you recognize how important the staff is. And at the end of the day, when we talk about students and what things

068are sexy to families to bring families in here, again, those cost money. So, do we go, okay, it seems to be that the community isn't supporting us because I agree. I agree with you. Some of that is misinformation. I would love more than anything to spend some time to talk about community with it where we aren't restricted by laws in certain ways to say, "Hey, let's actually talk about transparency and what it is that we show in our performances here because we do more than pretty much everywhere else in the valley. I can tell you that much." And at the end of the day, if we're still saying, "How do we accomplish these? How do we do it? How do we say we need you here if we're cutting these things don't make sense to

069me? So I go, what path are we on? Are we on a situation in which we say we're trying to do what's best long-term for Hickley and that includes growth, that includes capture? Then you have to focus on the programs that exist. And so as we continue with these next two weeks, and I hope we all schedule the meeting so we can have conversations so we know the differences because I think Miss Van Hook to your point, the questions that we're going to get this week in terms of the details of that, they matter when it comes to the decision between making one versus two or two versus three. But again, we have to keep in mind, you cannot expect to accomplish these things that we are beholden to while cutting everything out from under

070us. Those two things do not connect. or at least somebody can tell me what I am missing because I don't see it and I don't understand how that works. >> President Wade, I think we're doing that partially here by preventing our programs from being cut. That helps retain our families that are interested in those programs because that was a huge concern. Um but throughout the three years that I've been on this board, I have said from the dis that there are concerns that our community members have um based on votes being made based on decisions being made by the majority of this board that causes parents not to trust or would prefer to to go elsewhere. ware and changes in that aspect have not been made and that I think it that is what needs

071to change if we want to continue to preserve families and be able to attract more families. And from the people that I talk to on a daily basis, that is a big concern. And unless we are willing to make those changes, then we can continue to see families either not trusting us and pulling their kids or, you know, make just making other options versus picking our district. So, we have to be able to change in that aspect and that doesn't require money. Again, if you are one of those families that feel that way, please reach out. I would like to remind in the last three years that we have had that, we have now all of our schools that are A's, we have also routinely improved our test scores and have continued to be above

072our neighbors and counterparts with respect to those things. So, as far as the areas and the issues that we have that we are not going to be able to please everybody, I wholeheartedly understand that. Um, but I do think it's important to keep in mind what we have and what we're doing. For those in the community that feel some kind of way about it or have ideas, please feel free to reach out. Those things matter and how you express it because I think the next couple years, I agree, we all need to figure some stuff out as we decide what steps we take and what efforts we can make. For sure. Thank you, Mr. Lenheiser. This brings us to uh assuming everybody else is good. No. Yep. >> Go ahead. I just want to uh

073thank the admin. This is a lot of work and I know that it's it's you guys are the ones in the weeds and honestly you're the ones that have to, you know, be the bearer of bad news sometimes and I really appreciate all the efforts you guys do and all the brainstorming and the ideas you're coming in uh and bringing to the table. I really um I I've learned a lot on how this district is run and how since we are a smaller district, we aren't privy to certain things that larger districts have. And so sometimes we can be um paying more with our funds. So I I appreciate all the voices on this on this dis because there is truth in multiple viewpoints and so I really appreciate the efforts that everybody does. So

074thank you. 6.2 First review of 2026 2027 maintenance and operation budget. Miss Rush Camp, President Wade, members of the board. Tonight we are going to take our first review of the fiscal year 2027 Maintenance and operations budget. This will begin July 1, 2026. So this is a familiar slide that we have seen the cycle of our budgets and the timelines. So in May 2026 we will be doing our second budget revision for this current year which is 2026. Uh we will statutoily we have to have a budget uh reviewed by May 15th. So we will do that on May 5th. And that will determine for 26 then rolling into 27 which the we will look at the 2027 first budget that will be on June 2nd that will be our proposed budget. Then on June

07523rd that will be our adopted budget. Typically there is very little change between those two. Um the only change would be if something um if the budget was settled with the legislature um and there was a big change. And then for December if necessary we will look at our uh first revision. So a couple of the things we know is everybody has mentioned these right now are estimates. So these are a couple things that we do know at this time or we are estimating. So the aggregate expenditure limit that is something we look at each year. We know we are covered for right now but again as superintendent lotsheiser mentioned it's about 15.5 million for our district that we could have the potential to lose if that went away. We also know we have had

076about a 300 student decline uh each year. So we have to account for that right off the top. Rightize our schools. We also know historically we have been receiving a 2% inflation adjustment to the base support level. So what we receive per ADM uh that is the minimum amount that we can receive. Historically inflation in the state of Arizona has been higher than that. Um school districts just have never received higher than the 2%. We also know we will have the reduction to the override of about 4.8 million which we have been mentioning. And then the Arizona State Retirement System, there will be a very small decrease going into next year. We're going from 12% down to 11.98%. That affects both the district and the employees both. So, and then each year from M, we

077transfer over to Capitol to pay for our middle school leases. Historically, we've been transferring 3.55 million. Going into next year, we're looking at cutting that transfer down slightly. Uh 3.25 million coming from M to capital. Uh capital is a fund that with the interest we do receive from the treasurer, we can spend that interest. So we can utilize some of the interest that we are generating in the the DAA capital fund to help offset the cost of the middle school lease payments. So last month on December 9th, we looked at our current year 26 budget and revised that for the additional loss of students that we had had since we had adopted in June. There's the 3.55 million we're transferring this current year. And we came in with 21.8 million in our budget balance carry

078forward. And again, as I had mentioned at that time, part of the reason that was higher was because we had received some additional funds. We had put some funds in DAA capital where AD placed them in M. So that increased that. So going into 27, we are projecting and this is an unweighted 300 ADM group A. So that would be our uh preschool through 12 students. If we weight that out, that comes to about 351 students. Then our group B weight. So again that is our gifted, our special ed, all the different categories we have there. We have free and reduced um K3. We are projecting about 292 loss that is weighted decrease there for the override phase down as we have been talking about and superintendent lotenheiser just mentioned in his presentation 4.8 million

079loss and then again transferring from M to capital 3.25 25 million. With that being said, we are anticipating right now carrying over about 19 million. We had been saying 17 million. That's what we were saying back in June, but again got the little bit of extra funds coming in in our December revision. And then also the spending has um we've been uh very careful with our spending this year knowing the override was phasing down again. So our projected budget for 27 is just under 111 million. It's 11092. Taking that away from what we revised in December, the 118 million, that gives us a loss of about 7 876 million for our fixed cost changes. These right now are still all to be determined. We're working on them. Um we do not have numbers yet from

080our insurance for our property and liability. Health insurance we have been told will be going up. We're just not sure um to what percentage that is going to increase. We're comp also could have the potential of going up if we did have uh staff reductions. Utilities, uh those go up annually. Um we know we are in the town of Gilbert, so we know we will have uh increase for water. And then our department and school budgets for this current year that we're in right now, 26, we did a pretty deep reduction on them. So, we will pretty much hold steady with those. The schools, um, they fluctuate with their ADM because it's based on ADM. So, again, our ADM went down this year. Their budgets will reduce a little bit next year just for that.

081Um, Miss Rash Camp, I'm sorry. Do you have an idea on when we'll get the answers to some of these like when we're expected to know about the health insurance and all that? >> Well, so next meeting in January, we will have numbers in here. Um, will they be 100%? No. I know the trust is meeting their board meets in February. So probably midFebruary we will get an idea from them. We will be meeting with our health insurance uh for with Kyas next week. So, we will get a little more information there. Um, utilities, right now I'm projecting 300 to 350 that it will go up. So, and right now it's about 5 million. So, it'll go up to about 5.35 million. So for our timeline for reviewing M and then also capital at our

082next meeting which will be in two weeks we will have the second review again mainly what we'll see on that review we'll be plugging in some of these numbers that are the to be determined numbers um we will also finalize what the budget reductions due to enrollment loss and then the override phase down will look like. And then on March 3rd, we will have our third and final review of the M budget in hopes to have tenative approval so that contracts can be sent out after March 15. April 7th, we will take our first look at the DAA, our capital budgets. And then on May 5th, we will have our second and final review for capital. And that will be so we can have tenative approval to send out purchase orders for long lead time

083items that we would like to get started over the summer while the students are gone. And with that, I could take any questions. President White, um, with the interest rates going down, is there any opportunity for us to do another refinance on these leases? >> Um, >> I don't I don't know what the current interest rate is, but it's something to consider for saving. >> It is. And it just today uh Superintendent Lsonheiser and I have got a meeting on our calendar to meet with Stifel who we will be looking to see can we refinance our bonds. Um is it at a point now where it would make sense for us to save? >> Yes. >> And I don't expect you to know this answer, but I'm guessing the last time we refinanced uh what

084the cost of that refi was, if any. Uh >> there is a cost. Um exactly what that was, I don't know, but you definitely it's just like your home. You have to outweigh >> are the benefits going to outweigh the cost? >> Yes. And that's what our financial adviserss will help us with. >> Perfect. Um and then the 19 million carry forward uh on page four, does that include the uh proposed salary increases and the revisions, estimated revisions >> for 2728. >> So this is just where we're expecting to end this current year 26. So you we have $118 million to spend of all of that. We're anticipating carrying about not spending about 19 million of that. >> Okay. So no uh no salary increases included >> not for next year. >> Got it. Okay.

085Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments? >> Uh President Wade, Miss Rush Camp, can you expand on what that lease is? This was not nothing I really heard about before. Can you expand with that, Lisa, so the district kind of understands kind of what the monies are going for and how um and just the what that entails. >> Sure. So back um it was was it around 2016 17 we built a couple of leases that were we were or couple of the two middle schools that we have. So Sassmen and Kulie and we were leasing those buildings and we have been making payments. The payments were set to run till about 2050 20. Um when Mr. Moore was here, he had looked into refinancing those and then bringing them from the current who we

086were paying the lease. are bringing those into um refinancing them to try to get those costs down, which we were able to do. Um however, it is still something we will be paying for 20 some years. Yeah, that much money. So, yeah, they will be very expensive middle schools when we're done. >> Okay. Thank you so much cuz I think that's helpful information to know and we all know Gil Gilbert's utilities go up etc. insurance, health insurance, these are all things that we feel. So I I really want people to understand that um you know and kind of see the clarity that for the most part the district is very judacious in its spending and all the monies and the taxes that are um Thank you. Thank you. Because it is going to a good

087cause. And so I really love that these numbers really show kind of the expenses of a district. So people really have an idea what they their monies are going towards and the reality like we're we all live this reality. Uh inflation things go up these expenses go up. So just that way they have an idea where things are going towards. >> All right. No further questions or comments. Thank you, Miss Rush Camp. This brings us to uh 6.3 GDFA support staff qualifications and requirements first read. Miss Johnson and I am going to ask that our legal counsel talk with any questions. Um this is just first read. I'm going to turn it over to you, Carrie. >> All right. Um madame president, board members, um policy GDFA is your um classified staff member fingerprinting requirements.

088And so this is intended to conform to the changes in 15512. So 15512 talks about who's required to get a background check and fingerprint requirements. So um candidly if you read per um 15512 it is very confusing and so the policy as it was drafted um by your policy group was a little confusing. So we made some changes to try to streamline that. So, it's clear that for example, um, if a parent wants to go on a overnight field trip, they're still required to get a fingerprint clearance card. So, we are complying with the state law, but the district's requirements exceed state law requirements. And I'm happy to answer any questions. I'm just curious why we have I know we'll be talking about the the next policy for professional staff, but I'm just wondering why

089we have two separate policies regarding fingerprinting instead of having one that just says anybody who comes into contact with students requires fingerprinting. >> Um, member Van Hook, that certainly is an option. the way your policies are organized. So, chapter G is all personnel and then just organizationally policies that are GC generally have to do with certified staff members and GD have to do with classified staff members. It's simply just the way they're organized. You don't have to have it that way. It's just that's the way um the policies were written. So, so we do have the ability to consolidate the two into one or do you re do you recommend that we keep them separate? Um, that's a good question. So, I mean there's nothing that prohibits the the board from consolidating them into one

090and that would be an option. It would just be we'd have to make sure that they were linked because right now all the certified policies are in that GC section and all the classified policies are in GD. So, we'd have to make sure the references were correctly linked. >> Okay. Um Okay. Um and then at on the policy, let me just find the page. Uh at the bottom of page two, it looks like. Yes. Uh where it says if the district at Yeah. So, it says if the district does not require fingerprint clearance card as a condition of employee uh of employment, employees may still apply for a fingerprint clearance card. Um I I'm not sure why the district wouldn't require this and I feel like this language conflicts with um universal safety standards and

091then it creates um like a discretionary exemption that's not supported by statute. >> President Wade, member Van Hook, I'll answer that question. Um, that paragraph would reference a tier one volunteer who is constantly supervised by a teacher or other personnel. That would be the only person that would not need a fingerprint card in our district. Can we specify that in that sentence? Just outline tier one versus saying, you know, just making it such a universal sentence. member van hook board members. Uh sure we can go back and um make that change for second read to make it clear. >> Perfect. Thank you. And I think I have one more and this would be on the last page. Maybe not after AB. Um, I was um I I added it on my notes, but after AB

092if uh or maybe a different spot in the policy, but just to say pursuant to um any individual who applies for employment uh with the district shall disclose to the district at the time of application whether the individual has pled guilty or no contest or has coni or has been convicted or is awaiting trial of any offense identified in 15509. Um, an applicant's uh knowing failure to make a required disclosure constitutes a violation of state law and may result in disqualification from employment and that comes from the statute. >> Um, member Van Hook, we can certainly make that clear in the policy. >> Thank you. And I believe that's it. Thank you, >> President Wade. I am under the impression that um the district really complies goes above and beyond the standard and so in

093a way we're just kind of updating and doing the wording to match the way the district's been operating in general. I fully agree with those added things that board member Van Hook. We really want to make sure that we know who we're getting in the district and really protect the safety and security of the students. So yes, and I love that people who are waiting trial, all that stuff is good lingo to have in there just to ensure and give us more clout and more teeth in our hiring process. So I really um please look into that. Thank you. President Wade, I have one more thing. Um, there would there be and I added no administrator and supervisor may wave the fingerprint clearance requirement except as expressly permitted by state law. Um, now I'm trying

094to understand like what situation would there be for them to be able to wave a fingerprint card? >> Um, member Van Hope, could you tell me where that is in the policy? >> Um, I actually it's something I added. >> Oh. uh after that uh where I said if we can clarify tier one, I added it after that just to state that um no administrator or supervisor may wave the fingerprint clearance requirement except as expressly permitted by state law and I didn't see anything in the state law that says you can >> right I don't think you would want any administrator you wouldn't want to give an administrator discretion to wave that right >> no >> correct Um I I want there's a reason why I added it and I let me look for um

095>> Miss Van Hook, considering this as a first read, is that something you can look up and we can communicate for later? Because I agree. >> I'm just doing the answer in the actual policy. >> Yeah, it's not it's not in there. So there's there's nothing in the statute that says they can. Um, so I don't know if it's necessary to add that or just to cover our basis to be able to say you can't. >> Okay. >> Perfect. Thank you so much, >> President Wade. Um, I do want to uh make sure in a lot of my training it there's different uh what is it? a databases and I just want to emphasize that we're cross refer referencing um when we go to hire that we're utilizing all the different resources that we can

096cuz some people move states some people kind of try to get out of their um you know their history and that you guys are able to access all that and that you put forth that strong effort. Okay. Also um some people who if it's hired third party um offerings from different businesses etc. um were also able to trump that and make sure that we are they are we know exactly who we're getting basically. Can you expand on that? Um, President Wade, member Jar, we um do extensive background checks as well as the fingerprint card and any third-party vendor has to provide that information as well to us if they're providing an employee. So, we are doing due diligence in that area. >> I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Johnson. Although, we're

097going right back to you with 6.4. for GCFC, professional staff certification and credentiing requirements first read Johnson. >> All right, you get me again. So, um board members, this is this is again the certificated employees and so this is intended to just bring into compliance um the exception when the district could allow someone with a finger expired fingerprint card um to begin working in a classroom. Um, and so this is just recommended by your policy body. I'm happy to answer any questions. Uh, what controls do we currently have to follow up and verify that they've actually renewed it? >> Yes. uh board member uh President Wayade, member Van Hook, as far as the IVP card or fingerprint card is concerned for a certified staff member. Um if it's in good standing, we can consult with

098the Department of Public Safety and verify the status of the card. Um so what what it what it what the card does, just for your knowledge, is that if there's once they're fingerprinted, they go into a database and then if there's a crime committed that would violate the terms and conditions of the IVP card after it reports back up to the database with the DPS. And so we have access to that. And so that's the perk of having that uh relationship with the IVP card because if you have traditional fingerprinting, that's going backwards in time. If somebody rolls their fingerprint, maybe you guys have done that before for some circumstance or another, that's checking to see if that person's fingerprints showed up anywhere before. Where with an IVP card, it's checking to see if it

099shows up before, but then it maintains that for seven years after. And so that's why if if they leave and come back, the fingerprint card is still going to be in good standing. and we can verify the information with DPS. But any and all employees must be fingerprinted before working for us, whether that's support staff or certified staff. And that is a condition of employment for our school district. >> I know there was language in here about the 90-day affidavit period. Um I'm just wondering like th those that come in and have this expired card uh and then they have 90 days to renew it. My question is, is there a process in place that ensures that they actually renewed it? >> There is. There is for everybody, not just the renewals, but also the

100expiration of the cards is our HR team tracks that for everybody uh for fingerprint clearance and also for certification. And so they're given a six-month uh heads up that either they're about to expire or if they've been expired and if they can't produce it, then they're then they can't work. And so they that's tracked for any employee. >> Perfect. Thank you. And then it also says that the stu superintendent shall develop and implement procedures uh do as part part of like once we this is updated is the superintendent's procedures for fingerprinting and DPS check um checks all current or do those get updated as well? >> Yeah, our procedures are constantly being re-evaluated. So we actually go above and beyond and we do not just a fingerprint clearance but we do a background check on

101employees which is not required and so we also have that as well and so anybody upon hire uh before they start we have to have that cleared ahead of time. >> Okay. And that includes like contractors anybody that >> anybody that works with kids anybody who's on campus. And so we have a mechanism through our maintenance and construction department if they're contracting for a construction job like when they built the addition to the high school all the team members on the construction team had to have an IVP card as terms of conditions of working for that contract to work at the school. >> Great. Thank you. >> And we also have the raptor check-in as well. So we have another extra layer when somebody comes in as well. So, if it's not just for an

102employee, but for visitors as well. There's multiple layers uh to to have an idea of who's on our campuses and why. >> And when we have like contractors, did they have to go through the front office or did they just like go into the contract contracting area site? >> It's relative to the job and to the terms and the length of the job. If it's a one-off thing, if they're coming to check one thing out, then they check in at the front. If they're going to be on site for six months, then there's other terms that we put in place for that as well. Thank you, >> Madame President and board members. Could I just point out one other thing? Um, the obligation to have a valid fingerprint clearance card is in every certified employees

103contract. And so, um, while this policy is permissive, you still have that contract language to fall back on if if the district does not want to exercise that option. Also, as an aside, I'm grateful to the individuals in HR when they email you to let you know that stuff's coming out. It's always real helpful. So, thanks. Uh, this brings us to 6.5. There are no other questions. Yes. Great. Proposed 2026 2027 board meeting dates. Mr. Lassenheiser. >> President, we had members of the board. Uh we'd like to get our proposed dates for 20 uh627 school year approved. Uh so this will be an information item with approval next meeting just so we can start getting them on everyone's calendars. You'll notice I believe we added three additional days because I felt like sometimes during this

104year there was such a gap between meetings that I felt like some of the times we could come bring anything in the measure of time. Sometimes when we tried to put everything on there then we knew that we would be here for four or five hours. So, I'd like to have a couple additional meetings plus uh if we um agree that if we start looking at perhaps the trust model policies or other things where we'd like to come in to do some changes that would require more time that we'd have those options already built in to having additional dates. And so, um if you take a look, these are the proposed dates. The biggest concerned one that I had honestly is October 13th. October 13th is during fall break. The limitation on that is by

105October 15th. Please correct me if I'm wrong, Mrs. Rush Camp. That's when we have to have the final budget from this current year approved and submitted. And so we need all the time we can to reconcile our books to bring it forward to be uh included because it has to be turned in by October 15th. And so that's why we have a date uh that it would be during fall break. I know this has happened before. We try not to do it. However, with how the calendar aligns, we would look for an October 13th date to move it up two weeks would put a lot of continued burden on our finance department to get that done because there's a lot of work that goes into to reconciling our books to make sure that our budget

106is done by that date. >> Do we have any questions or comments from the board before we move on? >> Um, I do. Um, I'm not sure if maybe it just hasn't felt like it before, but like with this one, it feels like there's more meetings that are every two. >> Yeah, we added three meetings to the com. If you if you were to look at the current year's school years and this one, there would be three additional meetings that have been added. >> Got it. Okay. So, I wasn't >> Yeah, it just felt like because of breaks and something like sometimes it's like I'll see you in five weeks kind of thing and I more regular occurrences I think would be better. >> Got it. Okay. Yeah, cuz there's two or three weeks apart

107and it just seemed like it it was quite a bit. Um let's see the August um one request that I I have is the August 25th meeting if we can move that to either the 18th or the 1st. Um, and that's just for for personal reasons because I I will be out of town and if everybody's willing to make that change. Um, and then there is, as you mentioned, the October 13th meeting. So, you're saying that we can't move that to the 20th and then we can't move it up. Yeah, board member Van Hook, we can't move it back because we have to approve it before the 15th. That's that's the date, October 15th. And if we were to move it up to the 29th, that two weeks is huge for our finance department in

108order to finish that year. And so we really do need that time. And so I know that uh even though it's a break from school that we would have to have, you know, a meeting there. I know in the past we've had to have meetings when board members are on vacation and they've called in. I know that's not the most ideal, but we get it. you're with your family and you're out there and but we have had we have done that in order to be able to meet that demand and it's really, you know, we we want to do the very best job of reconciling and getting our books exactly right and the finance department and moving through it and all of the work that they do to finalize that. We we do need that

109time instead of going before. >> And so that's that's different than a typical two-eek meeting because there's more involved that has to be added. Yeah, it's just it's just the the work ahead of them because they start reconciling starting July one. So, Mr. Rush Camp, if you want to jump in, why why that deadline and the October 15th deadline? >> I'm just trying to understand what the difference is between that versus any other meeting that's two weeks apart. >> So, by October 15th, that's when we have to have the AFR, the annual financial report. We have to bring that to the board and and again, it has to statutoily be done by October 15th. And because we're still posting journal entries because like we're allowed to pay to August 29th and then you're still posting

110journal entries after that. It it would be difficult to accurat accurately get everything by September 29th. What most likely would happen would we we would bring an AFR to you and then we would revise the AFR because we would still have changes with grants and things to make. So, okay. >> May I make a suggestion? >> Um, like you probably bringing your kids on vacation during during break, right? So, uh, we could have a meeting in late September and early October that does all the other longer business and that people could be here for and then we could dedicate a meeting in October solely to budget and then if people weren't here uh, or wanted to call in, that might be something to consider. We don't have to decide that right now. I mean, we

111could make changes down the road, but um you know, that might, you know, make things a little bit easier. So, it's just a just a meeting solely for, you know, budget and boom. >> That'd be great. Um and then the other one is the November 3rd meeting falls on election day and just my concern is community participation and then you know I don't know what election day is going to look like. Um, and so, you know, whether it's people showing up in person or being able to watch online, I just I I rather not do it on that day and possibly move it to the 27th. >> That That's a possibility. I mean, I I don't know. I think when we looked at it in terms of where we're at again, I think that November

112one is an additional one we added because we went from the middle October to the middle of November this year and that was a long movement. So, um, we can look at that when we bring it back for approval. If that's something that everyone wants to agree to when we go for that approval, we can do that. >> Okay, that's all. Thank you. >> Go ahead, Miss Dur. >> Um, yeah. So maybe if we can potentially consolidate that November meeting, that's totally fine. Or, you know, um I like that idea. And then June, obviously, we need those two boards, don't we? >> We do. We >> Yeah, we come we come in in that June 29th, I believe, is where we approve the budget for the year. Hopefully the state budgets by then, so we

113know exactly what our funding is by then as well. >> Okay, perfect. And then also what board member Glover mentioned about potentially just utilizing the other option just to make sure we're on point with Sharon and then that way we could potentially have a little bit more flexibility if she's kind of those journal entries are running later than what she anticipated. I really like that idea to help her help us. All right. Thank you. This brings us to action item 7.1, approval of memorandum of understanding between Higgley Unified School District and Grad Solutions. Any questions or comments from the board before I motion? >> President Wade. Yes. Uh so I asked to pull this out of consent because clearly the the agreement is sharing, you know, about sharing uh student information. And let me just

114get it opened here. Um data sharing uh and with um ARS15-142 that requires uh parental consent before uh I just lost the word. um before any information such as, you know, phone numbers, student emails, and address and things, directory information. That's the word I was looking for. Um and so I'm concerned that this might somehow violate this new statute with the sharing of student information. And so ahead of time, if we as a board are approving these, we're overriding the rights of parents to be able to opt out of data sharing. >> Uh, President, uh, board member Van Hook, I can refer to, uh, Mr. Fields who's put this together and looked at it. Uh just from a big picture just so you understand what Grad Solutions is or what it does is it is

115an organization that helps support kids when they drop out right within when they withdraw and a lot of times these are students that have exhausted all the resources we can and have not been successful for us. How else can we continue to support the students um in going forward to try and get their their high school diploma? And so I know that we've met with Grad Solutions informally. We've had some kids go to them already because where else can they go and help find and we'd like to formalize this to help go through our W list to help them and and truly focus on helping the students. But Mr. Fields uh if you can uh have any clarity or moving forward with that conversation. So the the law does allow for uh sharing when there's

116a legitimate educational interest between uh educational entities within the the the students interest. Um so with these withdrawal students this is these are students that have withdrawn for us for Higgley Unified it's a very small number. Uh remember we have a 98% uh plus graduation rate. So, we're talking less than 20 students annually that would qualify for these services that by withdrawing from our our school, they cannot be enrolled uh currently in any Arizona uh school. They must be a a a resident and and not enrolled in a public school or our charter schools currently. Um so the educational interest of getting a diploma uh would be the reason for sharing the data and and sharing that contact information so that Grad Solutions could then reach out to them and offer their services as a

117potential for these students to earn their diploma if they're still living in Arizona. Um sometimes kids withdraw or become on that withdrawal list and they've actually left the state which is why it would be less than 20 students or they enrolled somewhere in some other program uh and haven't given us that information. So, it's actually less than 20 students, but if they're still here in Arizona, um it's a positive aspect to the community that they earn their high school diploma. >> And board member Van Hook and and we did have this uh vetted through our attorneys and um Mrs. as O'Brien just pointed out section seven on the on it which says standard of care and it says the parties their employees and agents are comply with applicable federal and state laws pertaining to maintenance

118and disclosure of student records including I won't read all of it but you can see it down there on the bottom on seven so that would meet that requirement to make sure that we are sharing data with them appropriately so that can help so that's built into it already >> okay so that hopefully helps alleviate that concern >> perfect And then um so we currently don't utilize any service like this and and we haven't attempted to um in the past help students in this situation. >> No, we have not. >> Okay. And then >> these are students who have left us, right? Because they're withdrawn. So they wouldn't be >> withdrawn from Higgley Unified School District, >> right? Um and then one of the answers that uh was provided that um that there is no

119cost to the district. And I'm just curious like how does this how does Grad Solutions make money uh if they're not if districts aren't paying for the service? So I would assume they receive funding from the state >> to do that. Okay, >> I can answer that. >> Please, member Van Hook. So there's a specific state law for dropout recovery programs where they have a lower number of hours they have to provide to students that are in this circumstance in order to get ADM. So they're like another um educational entity um for those children. >> Great. All right. Thank you, President Wade. U Mr. Fields, is there a parental opt out? Like are parents notified of this um if their students? >> So, it's my understanding when we share the information, uh Grad Solutions reaches

120out to the parents and to the students and they work with the families together. The students are not required to join or be a part of this. It's simply sharing that information so they can reach out and provide that additional assistance and so parents would be included. >> Okay, I appreciate that. Before um when parents kind of sign up, are they notified that you know the potential of dropping out that they're that the names will be shared? >> Um I don't think that we have that built in that potentially we would share the names with them uh already. That would be when a grad solutions reaches out to these people who have left our district already. Okay, I appreciate it. That does kind of bring up another question. So, for instance, when a student is

121enrolled at the beginning of the school year, uh parents opt out on the online portal, uh opt out of data sharing, does that impact and then let's say their kid halfway through the year decides to uh drop out. So, do you utilize what they input into the system? >> Um, okay. >> So, um, Furpa allows Furpa, federal law around, um, data privacy allows for that opt out at the beginning of each year for directory information, right? And directory information is the information that the district's designated is harmless to release. for example, name, address, dates of enrollment, athletic participation, honors, and awards. Um, and then now on top of that, we have this new state law. So, you have the opt out federally and then an opt in for I believe it's name and address, >>

122an email. Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. And so, um, school districts are trying to figure that out. Um, some school districts have eliminated from directory information those elements um, in order to uh, it it just gets really confusing for families on what am I opting out of and what am I opting in um, to, but I can certainly work with the district to make sure that both, you know, federal and state law compliance occurs in the data sharing. >> That'd be great. Thank you. >> That would be great. Yeah. Thank you. Okay. I motion to approve the memorandum of understanding between Hegel Unified School District and Grad Solutions. Second. That would be Miss Schultz seconding. Oh, I almost said all those in favor, but we're going to have our little window for us. Look at that.

123Please vote everybody. Did everybody vote? I didn't get a little something. >> Miss Zimmerman, did everybody vote? I have no uh window that popped up and let me know. >> Oh, did it kick you out? >> No worries. You're fine. It's kicked me out like four times. Okay, motion carries in case anybody was sitting on the edge of their seats for that one. Sorry. Oh, this brings us to future agenda items. Does anybody have any requests for future agenda items? >> Madame President, um, Miss O'Brien, this is probably going to be more for you. So, um, board members, we have to follow policy and procedure and, uh, you know, no one should be above the law, so to speak. So we have to set a good example for others that we follow the policies that

124we make. Uh recently a board member allegedly brought some books to a school to be given to students which is a nice gesture. Thank you. But policies weren't followed. So future agenda items. We have a policy for distributing information uh by outside organizations like say a flag football organization wants us to hand out the registration flyers. Was that followed? Do we need to review that policy? Is it policy or do we need to create a new one to confer with the superintendent before a board member distributes materials to campus? We also have a policy for accepting gifts and donations. Was that followed? Do we need a review of that policy? There is also state law requiring that books be put on display before putting them in libraries in the hands of students. Um would that

125action have violated that law or does that even apply to any of any of what was done? Um and then there are people in and around our community um that were misusing the term electioneering this past um this past election is giving a book and getting it into the hands of into the households of voters that is authored by not an current office holder but someone running for office is at electioneering and lastly um if we do determine that a board member has violated or not followed a policy what repercussions do we have so with the permission of our board president I'd like to request uh that that be placed on the agenda some of those things be placed on our agenda and at our next meeting. Thank you. >> Did you get all of

126that everybody or do you want him to send to you what he >> All right, great. Good talk. >> Yeah, please um send send that question to me andor I'll review the tape on half speed and um I'll be able to write those things down. Thank you. >> Okay. Are we all right? I motion to adjourn this meeting. >> Second. >> I'm gonna give that to Miss Schultz because she barely beat you, Miss German. Uh oh, wait. Oh, we're going to we're going to Here we go. Motion carries. 5-0. Have a lovely night, everybody. Drive safe. Good night.