001Good evening. I would like to call this meeting to order. Miss Richards, may I have roll call, please? Yes. President Wade, members of the board, let the record show that four board members are present at this time. Thank you. Please join me in a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. I motion to approve the agenda. That would be Miss Van Hook. Seconded. All those in favor? I I motion carries four to zero. All right, Miss Richards, you're up. President Wade, members of the board, um Miss Johnson would like to share something with you on this slide, so I'll turn it over to her. President Wade, members of the board, um new to Higgley this year, we will uh for employees that um qualify will receive a market stipen. First, I' I'd like
002to explain the slide. So, the market stipen for special education teachers resource for new and continuing teachers this year will be $2500 annually. That would be paid over the course of their contract. Next is a market stipen for a special education teacher self-contained new and continuing teachers. That would be $5,000 annually, again, paid over the course of their contract. And a market stipen for our transportation staff who have a school bus certifi certificate. Um, administration is not eligible for this in this case because they do have a certificate, but they're not eligible. uh would be $1,500 annually for all employees that fit that category of having that certificate. So, a market stipen is provided um when the current market is calling for something more than what we currently offer. As you know, we have a
003um very difficult time uh finding special education teachers, both resource and self-contained. We found that some of our surrounding districts were paying this amount or more annually. Um, you know, we currently have a hard to fill, but that was a one-time stipen. That is a one-time stipen. Um, this will hopefully make us more competitive. We have approximately um, right now in special education about 10 positions available for this coming year. So, that will help us. Also, the market stipen that's allocated for our transportation staff, as you know, um has been a very difficult to retain our employees because there are sources out there that are paying much more than what we are anywhere from like two to $8 more per hour to employees. So, this would be paid annually over the course of their 10-month
004contract. And we feel that this will help us to retain and continue to attract bus drivers to our school district. Thank you, Miss Johnson. Sorry, Miss Richards. I just wanted to say I think that's awesome. Obviously, getting those positions filled and being more competitive is great. So, thanks, President Wade. Next, we have I'm so sorry. Um, President Wade, um, Miss Johnson, I I do know that, uh, with bus drivers that when they do come and and we pay for their, um, for their license, um, that in in many cases because other careers offer higher pay, um, that once they have their CDL license, they can go be a a truck driver, they can go be you know, they can drive the the what's the trash for the for the town and it it pays higher.
005So, um I do appreciate that we can offer them more money in order to as an incentive to stay with us. Thank you. Thank you. I think we're ready for upcoming events. So, we hope you'll join us this Thursday at 4:30 at the HCPA for our teacher of the year celebration. I'm reminding everyone that we'll have an elementary teacher of the year as well as a secondary teacher of the year. So, we're excited about that. Also, on May 1st at 9:00 a.m., we have a school visit to Power Ranch Elementary. And last on upcoming events is the parent event supporting um teen mental health. It's a virtual meeting May 6th at 6:00 p.m. And that concludes the events. Thank you, Miss Richards. This brings us to item 4.1, executive session pursuant to ARS 38-431.03A1. I
006motion that the governing board convene to an executive session pursuant to ARS 3843 or sorry 43.1.03A1 for discussion of superintendent's annual evaluation and performancebased bay. That would be Miss Van Hook seconded. All those in favor I I motion carries four to zero. which is the superintendent one. Madam President, you should reconvene the uh board meeting, the regular board meeting. So move to reconvene the regular board meeting. I motion that we reconvene the board meeting. That would be Miss German seconded. All those in favor. I I motion carries. Four to zero. All right. This brings us to action item superintendent's performance-based pay for fiscal year 2024 2025. Uh any questions or comments be from the board before I make the motion. I motion that the governing board approves the superintendent's performance-based pay in the amount of
007$6,000. Sarah German seconded. All those in favor? I I motion carries. 40 zero. Madam President, can we can we make a comment? I just wanted to thank Miss Richards for her service um hanging in for another year. It uh it is it is appreciated by the staff and the people you work with and the community. You uh we appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you. I'd like to second that, Miss Richards. We are very grateful for the time that you have given us. Thank you. I'd like agree with that. All right. This brings us to consent agenda items. I motion to approve consent agenda items 6.1 through 6.11. Anna Van Hook seconded. All those in favor? I. I. Motion carries four to zero. Uh we would like to thank Higgley Booster Club, Higgley High School Choir
008Boosters, and PBLO Mechanical and Controls for their generous donations to the district. At this time, uh David is going to introduce our new IT director. That was just part of the consent agenda. Board President Wade, members of the board, it's with my pleasure to announce and I'll have Robert I'm going to put you on the spot right here in the middle. Okay, not uncomfortable. There's no anything but my pleasure to announce that following a comprehensive interview process, Robert Shopee will begin as the director of IT effective July 1, 2025. If we can give Robert a round of applause. This is a true grow your own. Robert has been a member of our district for the past 17 years and counting. Uh he began his career in 2007 as a tech one at Coronado Elementary School.
009He later supported Gateway Point Elementary, Williamsfield High School before advancing to user support supervisor, IT manager, and most recently he was our assistant director of IT for the past eight years. We're very, very proud of Robert. Uh during this time, he uh he got a master's degree in cyber security, further supporting his commitment to protecting advancing the district's technology systems. His journey truly reflects a commitment to Higgley's core values, and we're excited to win one of our own, grow and lead. So again, uh we're very excited for Robert. He's got a couple words that he would like to say. Thank you, David. Thank you very much. First, I want to thank the governing board and HSD leadership for trusting me with this opportunity. I'm honored and excited to continue serving a district that means so
010much to me. I also want to take a moment to thank my wife, Christina, who's here tonight. I truly couldn't have gotten here without her love and support, and I'm so grateful to have her by my side. Over the past 17 years, I've had the privilege to grow alongside Higgley and the IT department. I look forward to continuing to build upon the strong foundation and vision that has been set, working to deliver innovative, secure, and reliable technology that supports our teachers, staff, and most importantly, our students. I'm excited for what's ahead and I'm committed to do doing everything I can to help Higgley continue to move forward. Thank you. Thank you. We are excited to have you. This brings us to item 7.1, presentation on vacant land parcel. Mr. Moore, this would be you. President
011Wade, members of the board, uh tonight I'm presenting uh as I've alluded to earlier in the year, uh review of our vacant land that we have. as they pull up the presentation. Uh it's a quick presentation. Uh as the land is vacant, I there's not a lot to talk about, but I did want to bring forth the options that the board has uh moving forward to leverage this piece of land to further utilize uh maybe proceeds or lease uh this this parcel uh for future revenue opportunity for the district. So, um looking at uh some basics, uh where is the land located? So, we've always alluded to this is the land behind Target. The land behind Target. It's actually a little bit farther back behind Target. Um, but it's corners um the north side of
012Orchard Lane between Blue J and Ren Drive. Um, it's 19.5 acres. Uh, currently zoned as industrial and resides in the town of Gilbert. Oh, went a little too fast. Got a couple pictures. As I've alluded to, the land is vacant. So, not a lot going on at the land. Um, as we look to kind of some options with the land, um, we're kind of, uh, strapped in terms of what we can do, um, statutoily until we have, uh, voter approval. And so, um, once the district or if the board elects to, uh, give the district, uh, authority to move forward with an election, we have we would have three options in which we can, um, pursue with that vacant piece of land. One being sell. Um, so back in 2022, part of the bond research
013that I was doing, we did appraise the land. Uh, that appraised for $8.6 million. And like I said earlier, it's currently zoned as industrial. So appraised as industrial. Um again, that was in 2022. We can assume that with the market, um that value has just has gone up. Uh but that just gives some context if we were to consider selling it. We there's an option to lease. Um you can we can research potential leasing partners. Uh and that would create an ongoing revenue stream for the district. uh which is something that um I would prefer if if that would be an option uh or if the board were to give us authority to put this on the ballot um that would be an option I would bring forth um and and research heavily because I
014feel like ongoing revenue is difficult to come about uh when we talking about school finance and and leveraging resources that we have. So, um, and the third option is exchange. Um, you could, um, potentially exchange the parcel for another piece of land, but as looking at our demographics and our aging population and the way the district's trending, that option really is not, uh, highly of interest in my opinion, and I don't think it would be the board's interest as well. But those are some some basics on on our options. Um again we still need we need voter approval to to proceed with any of these options and really this comes to the conclusion of my presentation. Um the really the next steps is uh later in this agenda there's an action item for the board
015to consider giving the district direction to pursue a resolution. Uh if that direction is given I could bring that back at the next board meeting where I have slated to bring back the M override resolution. So, uh, we can t put those two on that May 13th agenda, board agenda. And then just looking forward as a budget, um, in the as a whole in June and both in June 10th and June 24th, we will look to bring forth the proposed and adopted budget for 26. Something that we've been working through this whole spring. So, with that, it's a short presentation. I'll be happy to answer any questions. President White, Mr. more. I have a lot of questions. Um, so your preferred option is lease um because of the ongoing revenue. Correct. And so voter approval
016is not required for leases um uh voter approval is required for leases 20 years or more. So under 20 years, it doesn't require voter approval. Do we have an interested party that would lease? I've had discussions with uh multiple companies. Again, just preliminary, but um there is multif family interest in this and they would be interested in long-term leasing. They would not want to build an infrastructure with the with a lease less than 20 years. Um the adjacent storage facility has also shown interest. again, um there's a a lot less interest when the leasing terms are not uh over extended period of time when they're going to be investing infrastructure into that property. So, um you are correct, the lease, we do have authority to lease anything under 20. Uh but with these companies that
017I've discussed with or have conversations with, they're looking for a long-term uh lease if they're going to invest uh multi, you know, multiple millions of dollars into the property to develop something. So, and what are we looking at as far as long-term um a revenue for such long-term lease? Yeah, I haven't um delved into a lot of that because we don't have authority right now. Um, but I know some recent uh Kyne has a a long-term lease uh for about I think it's a two warehouse properties and they bring in about $800,000 annually in revenue. Um Okay. And then the um as far as the approval like the ballot ballot measure wording um I'm just curious like how either we as a board or or the community would be able to vote for something like
018that with with it so open-ended like there's no it's not like specific as to what we plan on doing. So, um, how do we expect that to go on the ballot, um, so that it's clear for the community? Well, I think that can be up to the board and how you want to write that language and the resolution. Um, typically like you would give yourself some options to express either uh I think Gilbert just did this on their ballot last year, but it has sell, lease, or exchange on that language. You would list the exact parcel that we are talking about. So it'd be very clear to the community that we're talking about this parcel of land um because that has to be very uh strategic or uh very formally written into the ballot initiative
019but the language in is in the resolution and I would recommend keeping it the option to sell lease or exchange just in case maybe it's a better maybe it's more advantageous for us to sell instead of lease. Um but again that that is determined in the resolution. So on May 13th you can modify that language in the resolution if you so choose. Okay. And then will the draft lease or sales contract be shared publicly before the vote? So the the order of kind of the process would be one getting authority to sell lease or exchange the property then bring forth back to the board um a lease agreement a sale agreement. So there would be multiple steps in which this is this process is publicly shared and brought forth uh and and the board brought
020forth along in the process with approvals. So and then will we have the opportunity um to allow the community to um like a Q&A session for them to ask questions as far as what the terms would be. I think if we got down to the point of of narrowing down to one partner or one uh vendor per se, uh certainly that individual or that company could come help um solicit or coordinate that Q&A session uh if there was concern over what was being proposed for that property. And then in the case of a lease, who um who bears the um maintenance costs? that would be uh written out in the terms of that lease agreement. And so um obviously with our limited staff, we would want that lease over to bear a lot of the
021burden uh with regard to that property. We may receive less revenue, but uh at least we won't have that overhead to manage or uh oversee that. But again, that's kind of down the road when we um establish a individual or company to negotiate with. Yeah. because I right now there's there's no cost to the district for the for the lot and so um Oh well we do m we do have to mow it and maintain so we do have a little bit of a cost for our grounds to upkeep it a little bit cut the weeds okay um I just yeah so that's that's a concern for me as far as like manage you know property like management more than just weed cutting um that's definitely something to consider consider. And then um as far
022as like any depending on what they decide to do with that property um as far as like environmental liabilities um that would then um be inherited by the district. No, I think a lot of that would be delineated in whatever lease agreement with and we can um with help of our our attorney, we can help draft that to where we limit our liability um with whatever is being proposed or or uh yeah proposed for that lot that lot. So, okay. And then um we discussed this last time, but that those funds can only be applied to capital, correct? So, yeah. um if you sell it. So that has to go to the school plant and then it has to there's a formula. It's it's kind of complex, but you have to pay down a portion
023of your outstanding debt. Um if you lease it, those lease funds um can be um or established to go to the school plant fund. Um they can only be used for capital purposes, but um the intention would be as you know we have this large lease burden already. So maybe we can reduce that payment with offsetting these these revenue lease funds. So So can can the lease if we sell it um those funds can go to pay down our bonds. Correct. A portion has to legally um our our outstanding bond debt. Yeah. But that is do that with a lease or lease as well. Um we could prepay but that would be at the district's discretion. So there's is that there's no mandate on that piece. Uh what prevents the district from being locked into
024uh leases that block future expansion. Not sure how just let's say down the road, you know, the district grows and we want the property back then and and we're signed into a 20-year lease. Yeah. So, typically leases or agreements have termination clauses. And so, again, working with our district attorney, we'd want to make sure that's advantageous for the district uh to have a term clause in there that we can uh execute and and potentially quickly, right, uh utilize that land again. So, okay. So, we could have language in there um to be able to take that um back if needed. And then also uh in situations if the lease defaults um we can have language in there as far as how quickly uh we can repurpose the land. Yeah. Again, kind of you looking down
025the road. Um yeah, we can flush a lot of that out with uh whatever potential individual will be coming in to to lease this land. And then will the district retain um partial ownership? We'll say we'll still 100% owner. If we lease it, if we sell it, then we revoke then we completely [Music] um and then as far as there's laws as far as the the usage of the land, correct? As far as like restrictions on what could be built on that land. So, it's currently zoned as industrial, right? But if a lease company comes in and say they want to do multif family, they would have to work with the town of Gilbert to reszone that property. So, we would the district would not be involved in that process. That would be somebody the
026lease or uh would if they wanted to pursue that avenue, they would have to reszone that, right? Um so, again, that kind of down the road, but like we we would not be involved in trying to reszone that ourselves. Okay, that's all I have. Thank you, President Wade. Um, thank you so much for this information. These are great questions. Um, just out of curiosity, how much was this purp purchased by the district? So, I don't know the history of it, but I believe it was it was traded at one point. Maybe Scott, Mr. Glover was built. Maybe there was a there was a trade. Yeah. With the church. And so somehow we got this parcel. Um perhaps because of the ward that was built right there by Bridges, but I'm that's a guess. Yeah. I
027think Bridg's lot was split and they gave us this parcel to build their ward on the what would that be? The east side of Bridges. Okay, thank you so much. And yes, just that liability factor. Um, so it's similar like uh landlord insurance and then the tenant has tenant insurance kind of similar that layout for insurance purposes. Yeah, I would, you know, I would have the district covered in this agreement to where the liabilities on the lease um and try to limit our risk uh with again the limited overhead that we have and expertise in um anything outside school district from from my scope of work. I I want to put that on the lease or and that liability. Again, we may um there may be a management company in between that and we may
028reduce our revenue, but at least we don't have that um overhead or that burden to to be managing something that we're not equipped to manage. So, okay. Thank you so much for being conscious of that. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Moore, for that presentation. This brings us to 7.2 to IHA basic instructional program first read. Mr. Armstrong, you're up. President Wayey, members of the board, tonight we're bringing policy IHA2. And if you scroll all the way down, it's just a couple of adjustments in terms of the instruction that's taking place regarding Holocaust and other genocides as well as uh 9/11 education day. It has been enacted that there are grade level specific pieces to it. So you'll see that it it now states on at least two separate occasions during any grades 7 through 12
029and that's both with instruction on Holocaust and the 911 education day. President Wade, do you happen to um know the uh bill number related to these changes? the bill number. I don't I don't have that, but it's under the law that's uh referred to. It's 1571 and then 15710. Okay. I just curious what the bill number was, but I'll figure it out. Thank you. Yeah. May I, Madam President? Yeah. I just I I am in I just want to speak in favor of this change and and uh you know as somebody who in 8th grade taught the Holocaust um and a few years ago when they put genocide down in seventh down to seventh grade I thought oof man you know sometimes we teach kids things that are really really very serious at a very
030young age. So, I think this allows for a little bit more common sense and discretion um as to when to introduce some of these very sensitive topics. And uh the same thing, you know, um teaching 911 to um sixth graders that didn't live it is it's important, but I don't you know, like you don't I just don't think they should see people leaping to their deaths uh at that grade level, which is kind of people were just all over the place. So, it seems a little bit more reasonable for kids who are ready to accept it. Um, so anyway, I just wanted to speak out in support of that change. Thank you, Mr. Armstrong. This brings us to 8.1, direct district administration to proceed with land, cell, lease, or exchange. Any questions or comments before
031our motion? I motion that the governing board authorize district administration to proceed with drafting a land sale lease or exchange res resolution. I will second that. Thank you, Mr. Glover. All those in favor? I I just want to make sure we're just approving to do one of the following and then the final worded resolution will come back to the board. May 13th. Yeah. Okay. I motion carries 4 to zero. This brings us to 8.2 tenative approval of the 2526 capital outlay budget. Mr. Moore. Yeah, President Wade, members of the board, uh this capital budget is the budget that I presented to the board at the last meeting. Uh with the exception of one change, uh we had added a line item for participatory budgets. Um this is something Mr. Armstrong will come back to the
032board and share at a further uh meeting on how this will be um I would say pursu or um shared with our schools and then uh this is something Queen Creek does uh with providing a capital budget for schools and their student council or their student groups to come up with school projects. Um and so that 75,000 uh was pulled from the major projects um line item. So that is the only change from the original presentation. Thank you. Do we have any questions or comments from the board before I motion? I motion that the governing board tenatively approve the fiscal year 2026 capital outlay budget. Second. Miss Banana Hook. Seconded. All those in favor? I. I. Motion carries four to zero. This brings us to item 8.3, approval of RFP number 25-01-30, Athletic Trainer Service.
033Do we have any questions or comments from the board before I motion? I do have one question. Do we get consent from parents ahead of time for them to be treated by the trainers? Uh, board member Van Hook. Yeah, when you go do your athletic packet, that's part of what you're doing when you sign the athletic packet is so that uh when you go to register that we are able to treat in case there is an emergency that's happening on that. And so when you go through that register my athlete, you in there you're giving us consent. And then what we do is take that information because you have your um your physical all that information and then the trainers get that as well so that we can appropriately address if there's concerns that come
034up. Okay. and I forget, but is there an option to opt out of being treated? Um, that would be very, very rare. As far as I understand, that's not an option to come out being treated by the athletic trainer for injuries or anything. I would encourage any parents that have concerns to talk to the athletic directors at the site and or the trainer if there's a concern that's coming forward. But we do provide athletic training services. We think it's really important to help protect our athletes. As we know, especially there's lots of sports that have a lot of physical contact. We want to make sure that we keep them safe. And so, the goal of providing this RFP is to increase the amount of coverage to actually make it safer for our kids as well
035as providing more direct support for our middle schools. And so, we're really excited about expanding the coverage for our kids through the athletic uh trainer RFP and working with com one company to cover all four of the secondary schools. Thank you. Yeah. I just want to make sure that if a parent for some reason decides that they don't want um the treatment that there is an option for them to be able to opt out. Thank you. Not bad. I motion that the governing board approve RFP number 25-01-30 for athletic trainer services to Phoenix Children's. Miss Van Hook seconded. All those in favor? I I motion carries four to zero. This brings us to 8.4 delegation of authority to execute requests for certification and asurances issued by the Arizona Department of Education regarding eligibility for federal
036grant funding. Um I actually have something I would like to say first and then we can open it. That's because it's time for questions or comments. Um, so look, I'm having a hard time uh with this executive order from the president of the United States that demands we follow title six of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Uh, which states, quote, "No person in the United States shall on the ground of race, color, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." End quote. So if we say as a collective society, like the Civil Rights Act does here, that we no longer can legally discriminate against specific individuals from accessing privileges granted to others in society, we
037by legislative design are then legally required to be inclusive. And now that we are inclusive, we have more students present thanks to this newfound inclusivity in our public schools, we create a more diverse environment. Since we now have more folks here with varying backgrounds and experiences that we are legally obligated to provide for as public education rightfully should be, we can better utilize our tools to learn how to be more equitable when providing for this diverse and inclusive society. The idea that all of our students can have the opportunity to thrive can be realized. Miss Mlennon, correct me if I'm wrong. Public education institutions like that of the Higgley Unified School District have been legally obligated to follow the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and any subsequent Supreme Court cases that have further defined what
038this laws mean, what this law means since its passing. Is that correct? That's correct. Thank you. And furthermore, Miss Mlennon, any instance of a violation on Higgley's part would mean that Higgley could have been sued since its passing in 1964. Is that correct if we violated this? So typically, Miss Wade, madams, and the governing board, typically the uh suit would be precluded or be precluded unless there was a claim filed, okay, with the EEOC or the Office of Civil Rights Prior. But once those prerequisites were met, correct? You have been subject to that. Thank you. So, we've been beholden to this law. This has been again have been true for all public education institutions since its passing in 1964. Over the course of the last 61 years, we have collectively moved towards a public education
039system that is more equitable and inclusive, which has a direct result in our education system becoming more diverse. We continue to improve because continued marginalized groups pushed under the Civil Rights Act to expand or further changes. So, for example, individuals with disabilities education act or IDEA, the use of individuals uh individualized education plans or IEP. We also have title nine restrictions that says we have to spend the same amount of money on sports regardless of gender. These are all things that are going back to more equitable practices as a result of the Civil Rights Act. I would like to now look at the uh later part of this agenda item. It states, quote, given the text of Title Six and the insuranceances you have already given, any violation of Title Six, including the use of
040diversity, equity, and inclusion or DEI programs to advantage one's race over another is impermissible. The use of DEI practices can violate federal law. The continued use of illegal DEI practices may subject the individual or entity using such practices to serious consequences. And then I'm going to paraphrase here those consequences are termination of funds or potential litigation. End quote. I wish to repeat it states including the use of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs to advantage one's race over another. In no way does DEI anything provide advantage of one race over another. DEI quite literally provides more equity regardless of demographics which race is included in this. Of note, at no point do we have any definition either from our current administration or even Superintendent Horn on what they actually mean by DEI. It seems to be
041a more uh I will know it when I see it type of approach. With the absence of clear definition in these demands, they can now start to say anything that they do not agree with looks like DEI. Currently, this administration as well as our state superintendent have set out threatening letters expressing that they will withhold for funds uh for doing DEI practices, again without a definition of what that means. They demand we follow a law, Civil Rights Act of 1964, while simultaneously pushing to end the very practices that have granted public education systems the ability to actually honor that law in the first place. I request every person here logically ask yourselves what is the intended outcome of removing diversity, equity, and inclusion knowing what the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states and how that
042piece of legislation that all public institutions are obligated to follow and have been obligated to follow. Legislation that legally mandates we are inclusive in the education we provide, which again from actual inclusion, we as a society be have become more diverse and as a result more equitable. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, the very thing they are using to target DEI programs, the foundational piece of legislation, is and of itself diversity, equity, and inclusion. DEI programs are the direct result of a society that honors the Civil Rights Act of 1964. And public education today is centered around serving diverse society with equitable practices, and it includes all learners. At the end of the day for the board, I'm going to sign or I'm going to recommend that we sign both of these because education as
043a whole and more specifically here at Higgley Unified School District, we are held to a standard of not discriminating against any group or individual as dictated by the Civil Rights Act of 64. And we as an organization as well as myself as a board member are committed to doing this. However, I feel compelled as the career history and government teacher in me wishes to warn every single person that the opposite of diversity is uniformity. The opposite of equity is inequity and the opposite of inclusion is exclusion. The demand to remove DEI practices under the guise that we are protecting from discrimination is only going to have the direct result of bringing about uniformity, inequity, and exclusion. Thank you, President Wade. May I also I I agree with uh well said what you said and I
044I also just want to go on the record. I'm sorry to take take a little time to do this, but I I want it's important for me as a history teacher, as a dad, as a citizen, as somebody who's visited Avitz and visited uh Japanese American internment camps here within our state to be on the record of where I stand. Um, so last Friday night, we did receive a a letter from the Arizona Department of Ed that I I felt, and some would disagree, I think, but I felt it was not at all a collaborative tone. I found it upsetting. I found it unsettling. Um, but I think, you know, we're really arguing about somewhat saying the same thing. So, I want to try to maybe find some common ground here. We get hung up
045on letters and and political theater, which sort of really does does disrupt our mission here, which is which is teaching kids. That's what I get up every day to do. Um, you know, we have preschool to 12th graders. Um, and I just wanted to touch on some of the foundations of modern American school. Um, we take everybody and it's been a fight to get there. um all races, colors, creeds, abilities, we take them all. And I love that we don't discriminate. Um you know, I grew up believing I still believe in the great American melting pot. You know, another thing you learn as you learn the foundations of modern American political uh modern American public edu numbers of immigrants, including some of my ancestors, who can still remember times when there were signs on stores
046that said Irish need not apply. [Music] Um, so one of the missions of our system, the of our public education system was to teach our teach people our language, our history, our culture, how our government works. And we teach and we say the pledge of allegiance all the time. We're the ones, you know, we're teachers are the ones that teach the kids and they we end with with liberty and justice for all. I say it every day at least once. Um, you know, we're the ones that teach those kids how to make little turkey hams at Thanksgiving. you know, some of the American traditions that we love. We teach them who signed the Declaration of Independence, uh, who wrote the Constitution, and about, you know, all the different people who have sacrificed over the years
047for the freedoms that we hold and enjoy. Um, you know, I don't like the implication that teachers are acting ever in any unamerican way. That really gs me. I gave up a lot to be a teacher. Um, you know, and it's it's it's a it's aged me. It's it's a hard job, but I wanted to give back to my country. That was my way of service. Um, so I just hope that we can get past some of the these things and get back to letting teachers inspire our learners, fostering their interests, teaching them how to be good citizens who give back and are proud to be American. So if this vote will affirm my pledge to not discriminate, then I too will vote yes. I motion that the governing board delegate authority to Superintendent Sheri
048Richards to execute the request for certification and assurances issued by the Arizona Department of Education pertaining pertaining to compliance with requirements of title six of the Civil Rights Act, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, and the Protection of People Rights Amendment in order to preserve eligibility for federal grant funding. I will second. Miss Van Hook said it, but not on the mic. So, I will write down Van Hook for a second. All those in favor? I I um I'd like to just read something with my vote, please. Um this applies to the um Furpa assurance. Um the importance of signing this document is to ensure that the district adheres to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, Furpa, and to maintain access to federal grant funds. Parents have a right to inspect, review their
049children's educational records, and this agreement um ensures that the district acknowledges and respects this right. By signing, the district commits to not withholding information about the health and safety of children from their parents, providing um annual furper rights notifications, and informing parents about military recruit recruiters access to student information with an opt out option. From my experience, the district has violated Furpa laws and I'm hoping that going forward that does not happen again and we can ensure that um we follow this um as strictly as possible. And with that I vote I motion carries 40. 8.5 Consideration of resolution regarding equal education opportunities and guidance from US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. Do we have any comments or questions from the board before I motion? Um President Wade, I would like to read
050the resolution. Um whereas discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin is illegal and morally reprehensible. Title six of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution and other relevant authorities prohibit discrimination based uh on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Whereas Title 6 specifically states that no person in the United States shall on the grounds of be excluded from participating in be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Whereas all students are entitled to a school environment free from discrimination. Whereas race-based decisionmakings, no matter the form, remains impermissible. Whereas on February 14th, 2025, the acting assistant secretary of thei United US Department of Education um office of civil rights issued a deal dear
051colleague letter clarifying and reaffirming the non-discrimination obligations of schools and other entities that receive federal financial assistance from the department. Whereas the district intends to fully comply with and abide by the laws by the law as outlined in the letter. Be it resolved that Higgley Unified School Dis School Governing Board has determined that it will take all reasonable measures to ensure that its policies and actions comply with existing civil rights laws. Prohibit any efforts to circumvent uh prohibitions on the use of race by relying on proxies or other indirect means to accomplish such ends. and prohibit use by district of by the district of third party contractors, clearing houses, or aggregators in an effort to circumvent prohibited uses of race. Be it further resolved that the district shall abide by all applicable state and federal
052laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, and department guidance with respect to provisions of equal educational opportunities and shall not discriminate against any person based upon that person's race, color, religion, disability, pregnancy, and parenting, sex, national origin, veteran earn status and genetic code adopted by the governing board of Higgley Unified School District number 60 at a regular open um meeting of public held today. There you go, Miss Mlennon. Um, we already have policies in place that essentially are affirming that we are following the Civil Rights Act of 64 in terms of anti-discrimination policies in both hiring practice as well as what we expect from our staff. Is that correct, Madam President? Members of the board, that's correct. You have governing board policy AC, governing board policy ACA, uh, and some of the governing board policies in section
053G of your personnel practices that address those issues. Okay. Okay. So, we are already covered essentially that some of this would be redundant. Is that correct? It it would mirror your existing policies. Okay. Does anybody else have any questions or comments before I motion? Um, I motion that the governing board consider the adoption of a resolution as presented. Miss Van Hook seconded. All those in favor? Hi. All those opposed? No. Nay. So if it is 22, we just continue living our lives at the present. Is that correct? The matter didn't pass. Okay. Thank you. I President Wade, I'd like to read something. I just want to um let the record show that this board had the opportunity to affirm its commitment to treating every student equally under the law without exception and to stand firmly
054against form of racebased discrimination despite the board despite that board member Wade and Glover have chosen to vote no. That vote speaks for itself. As a board member, I will continue to stand for fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all our students. And I will ensure that any violations of these principles are reported because there is no place for discrimination practices in any of our schools against any of our students. Thank you. For the record, we just affirmed item 8.4 4 that we attest that we are following the civil rights act of 1964 as well as furpo laws and I just communicated with our legal that we already have policies in place to do so. I cannot speak for Mr. Glover and I will allow you the opportunity opportunity to do that. But as I
055stated previously, I too am committed to ensuring that our environment that is diverse maintains equitability for all of our students and that no person is discriminated against when seeking employment or by their employer or if you are a student by any of the teachers or staff that you interact with. Item 8.6, approval of overnight and outofstate staff travel. Any questions or comments from the board? Um, I can see. Uh, Madame President, um, I generally, this is where it's kind of sticky because, um, I like to keep as much in the M as I can. And so it's hard because some of these out of state, uh, expenses, they just start, to be frank, they just start adding up. And when you're kind of like facing, you know, kind of some cuts with the teachers, it's
056this is an opportunity to kind of, you know, maybe get some of the slack out, maybe cut some of the bulk out. So, if we can really um push forward as we move forward, if we can really maybe utilize these opportunities to do more in-house training or cheaper Zoom options, which are available since co um it just this is really adding up. It's 11,000 I believe I calculated. So that is about a portion um of teachers pay. So that could be go potentially in the districts in the M and go towards teachers pay. So I really think um that this might be an area that we can improve on. It's not my favorite. I do agree with some professional development, but we really kind of got to find that balance where we're being very mindful
057of the budget. So, I just wanted to express that concern. I motion that the governing board approve the overnight and out of state staff travel request as presented. Second. Thank you, Mr. Glover. Seconded. All those in favor? Hi. Hi. I'd like to explain my vote, please. Um, again, we talked about this at the uh last meeting with um using taxpayer dollars on organizations that promote DEI and um the uh Cisco San Diego and the National Schools to Watch conferences both um they have keynote speaker that's all about it and um same applies to um the organization hosting the Cisco live and so um I I again don't we have a state law that says we can't use um taxpayer funds to pay such organizations and um we're doing it here again. So with that I
058vote no. So all those opposed. Thank you. Motion fails two to two. 8.7 ratify payroll and expense voucher 1123. Any questions or comments from the board before I motion? Um President Wade. Um I'd like to know when this agreement was signed. this IG do you know uh memory van hook uh we don't have I don't have that exact date on me but I can find that and present it to the board was it approved by the board or was it signed without board approval I believe at some point the all IGS are approved by the board I just have to go back and find that date so yeah I and I looked through um board docs under several different titles and I nothing came up. Um but I I have obviously we have an IGA
059and and an agreement that we've made. Um and so um I understand that we have an obligation under this agreement. Um but spending $12,000 on um lobbyist partnership um I believe takes funds away from the classroom, our staff and our students. Um our priority should always be um direct support for teachers and learning and our students, not government lobbying. Um, we already have organizations like ASBA and ASBO that do lobbying on behalf of public schools. Um, so I don't understand why we're duplicating efforts um for another layer of, you know, money going out um to these uh lobbyists organizations. Um I don't you know what are we actually getting for the money? um would be interesting to know. Um I I don't know if we as a district can prove any like tangible wins that
060we've had by paying this organization um or any measurable outcomes. um you know, especially when we're tightening up the budget, you know, every dollar counts and I just can't justify $12,000 um going to uh for lobbying. Um and also as elected officials, we are supposed to be the voice for our district. And um I know that I am, you know, I I speak to our legislators all the time um as far as things that would benefit our district. And so, you know, we need to parents elected us to be their voice um instead of lobbyists. And um so I just have a concern and I hope that like in the future that we can reconsider um renewing such an agreement um because and and I mean I I know that there's also a lot of
061schools that participate and when they go and lobby for certain things like what benefits one school might not benefit our district. Um, so something to consider. Thank you. So, Miss Van Hook, we can look for the date and then list the potential benefits that have been, you know, observed or I think there's a strong um financial group of individuals that collaborate in that particular group, but it would be good for you all to know. So, we'll put it in status. Thank you that for that Miss Richards, something else I wish to express um the way our political system is structured by nature, uh lobbying is part of that system. Um and if we are individuals, so for example, being duly elected individuals like that of our legislators that we would be lobbying here, having multiple
062organizations reach out or multiple voices saying the same thing gives weight outright. So yes, it is great that we have the ASBA looking out for us as well as organizations that are doing things on behalf of public education, but if I were a legislator, having the voice of said public education systems as well only further gives weight to things that we have talked about or things that directly impact us. And so it is important to keep in mind that the collective idea of that shows benefits. There are a number of ways in which we have successfully lobbied for things that have led to a lot of changes for us or for example the AAL that we talk about routinely and the idea of that every year this potential funding is held hostage. Um this is
063where lobbying matters, right? Um, and so getting your voices heard and all of those things, it it is is not necessarily the the idea that a a dollar spent to try to gain things later is is always beneficial and the collective of that. And so I'm appreciative that we work with other districts when doing that. So, thank you and I look forward to that information and status as well. I'm going to say something, President. Uh Wade, um I just I love the idea of just kind of looking at this and reassessing in the future. It um a lot of the community is watching our efforts right now. They're watching which direction we go. And the fact is is you have a lot of the community who are seeking education elsewhere. So, I really want to
064encourage the district to kind of look at things at um you know, to be frank, um parents don't want politics in their kids' classrooms. And so we got to utilize these opportunities uh to kind of just see where we can kind of rein it back a little bit and get straight to academics and see what extra attachments we have because this is strings of money that pull out of the district, pull out of certain things that we can utilize more in the districts in the classrooms. So, if we can kind of just be proactive and reassess, you know, and just be um mindful of what serves all um and kind of just, you know, let politics be where they matter, but majority of the community does not want it in the classroom. So, just to
065be mindful of that, if that makes sense. Thank you. I motion that the governing board ratifies the payroll and expense voucher 1123. Second, Mr. Glover seconded. All those in favor? I I. Motion carries. 40. Future agenda items. This agenda item is for the governing board to have a running record for potential items be placed on future agenda. Does anyone have any requests for future agenda items? But Madam President, can I make a U remark before we close? Just one re [Laughter] we need to be circumspect, Mr. Glover, with any we need to only ask for future agenda items here. Madame President, um I would maybe like a an followup about the PE um just uh where they leave uh count for PE hours off the campus. Just kind of a followup with that how it's
066doing. That won't come till next year though. Is that what you're meaning? Like how it goes where that Yeah, it'll be for next school year. Okay. Thank you. Yeah, I agree. Great. All right. I motion to adjurnn the meeting. Miss Van Hook seconded. All those in favor? I I. Motion carries. 40. Meeting adjourned.