001me. I demanded before. Okay, I'm gonna call the meeting to order at 5:30. Um, welcome. It's so nice to see everybody's faces. Um, I need a uh motion to adopt the agenda. I move to adopt the agenda as presented. I second. Okay. All in favor? I I I motion carries five to zero. Don't forget to vote, guys. Okay. All right. Um, okay. We'll go down. Oh, let's go ahead and do the pledge. Let's do that. Yiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands. One nation, indivisible, withy andice. Okay. Um, so every uh hopefully everybody had a chance to look over the meeting minutes. Um, any questions on those for the regular board meeting, the April 9th? If not, I will take a motion on that. I move to approve
002the minutes of the April 9th meeting as presented. Second. All in favor? I I I motion carries five to zero. Okay, we'll go down to um approval of the meeting minutes for the special board meeting on April 23rd. Um if nobody has any questions, I'll take a motion. Okay. I move to approve the minutes of the April 23rd meeting as presented. Second. That was Stephen that seconded. Did you hear that? It's on. Okay. All in favor? I I motion carries five to zero. Okay. So, it brings us to superintendent's report. Thank you, Madam President. It's that time of year. We have a lot of different things going on. So, we've tried to catch um as as much as we can. Um we have uh at CHS Isabella Sahadi um was a 2025 Combmes High School
003and Andrew Carnegie award winner, which is part of what FBA business management chapter honors their their top business person. Um and she received that award. Emma Brighton uh received the added Loveless Award. Honors the top performing students in software and application design uh recognizing academic excellence in this uh growing field. Um let's see down at CTA the positive rocks can be found uh throughout the CTA garden and around the campus. Uh those rocks were part of a painting night sponsored by uh student council. And we also like to thank uh Central Christian Church. They donated the time and the resources for the renovation of the campus garden and the students are already working on planning uh in the garden. Essports continues to be very very successful. Um they won again uh their fourth u I'll
004say state championship the sundown tournament. Um and Ethan Selenus earned a silver and Kurt Chapman uh brought home a bronze. The JBA team won again also. Um and uh for those may not be aware in terms of esports and how esports is changing a little bit uh not only in this statement around the country uh Ethan uh Selenus also earned an esports scholarship to attend Paradise Valley uh community colleges. So they do have scholarships for esports just like uh any other sports. So um you're going to see probably a lot more esports is even at the collegiate level now. Um, and so it's a growing sport um that you'll probably start to see a whole lot um in the in the near future. Um, we also had uh it's this time of year where you
005have a lot of the CTuh competitions both at the state level and some cases uh national level or students will have qualify for nationals and nationals will be this summer. So, we got a number of different uh kids that are doing well uh within CTE, Skills USA, uh Arizona State Leadership and Skills Conference at the Phoenix Convent Convention Center. Maline Pierce and Jared Higgley placed in the top 10 for t-shirt design uh and display. Cody Alex top 10 finished for pin design, display. Um and so they had a success. Our um uh yearbook journalism class did well at the national level with uh eight to nine students receiving uh national awards and placing a national awards for both the Combmes Courier, the EPIC gearbook and the rundown. Um, and so, uh, uh, Caleb, uh, Kesolini,
006Jen Hamilton, Natalie Nash, Haley Old Tucker, Sky, uh, Skyler Bears, uh, Caleum again in two other categories, Jen Hamilton and Claire Hume all won a variety of different awards, and I know in some of the cases, uh, Miss Wanger and I were just looking at one, there was a picture of a of a swimmer that was just an unbelievable picture to be placed at the national level. So they were very successful. We also have kids that are uh uh having success in committing to collegiate athletics. Nathan Alvarez, Andress Martinez, and Alexander Payon will play soccer after four years of being together at CHS. They will continue by playing uh for Park University in in Gilbert. And Brooke Taylor in a non-traditional way has committed to play rugby at Tom Thomas College. Um she's been playing
007rugby rugby in the club uh world here in in uh uh town. Uh we had uh just recently a school connect school champions. We do some stuff with school connect and and uh community cafes and Harmon Elementary studenta Danielson, don't know if I said it exactly right, was a finalist for the school connect student champion of the year grades case K through six. And she was there and was able to receive some recognition. And then Gil Nesllett from Central Christian Church was nominated by uh Mrs. Schoffner and he was a finalist also uh for the community partner. Uh it was a great event up in Scottsdale that had uh schools uh and business partners from around the valley uh coming in to be celebrated for the for the job they did. Ellsworth Eagles um wrapping
008up their year with our May focus was on respect shining through schoolwide and students having enjoyed enriching experiences including on-site field trips with Challenge Island for the first, third, and soon fourth graders. They're looking forward to the multial uh cult multicultural fair on uh May 15th. Uh and they have upcoming end of the year awards uh ceremonies. Uh the middle school also's got things going on. Uh May 1st was the CMS dance class wowed a soldout crowd performing alongside the high school boys soccer team is headed to finals after an outstanding season and a spring performance of high school musical lit up the stage with energy and talent. Terms of battle of the books which is what we do um across the district and then we compete against neighboring districts. Uh CTA students Damian Cabanas
009Diaz, Avery Garcia Torres, and Liam Perry won second place, two points from first in the district battle of the bands um between us and and Combmes, excuse me, in the Queen Creek school district. Um in terms of CCS, they wanted to thank uh Dr. Josh Middleton who uh went down and presented to the students about career planning and workplace workplace readiness. He also provided uh not only insights and the dos and don'ts of applying for a first job, but also took the time to highlight uh the members of the CCS pathways uh of service learning success through art club. They're the ones that have gone to a variety of different community events to work out uh and help the community and so he recognized them and provided medals for them. Uh the tennis team is
010on to state. The doubles team um of Elena Rodriguez and Abigail Rutherford. Track athletes uh are breaking some school records as they get ready to finish up their season. Allan show Brady in the 400 meters and 200 meters uh Cherish Jones. Um also the 4x4 uh Cherish is part of and holds a school record along with Isabel Hatch, Bryley Schumacher and Cambria Blue. Road Runners had the Aren Ranch had their big multicultural night uh where the students in classrooms, every classroom took part and that always draws a large enthusiastic crowd and so it was a very good uh event for them. Uh Simington is shining through the spring with a lot of different trips, field trips to the musical instrument museum. That would be something you guys approved several I think it was a year
011ago that they were able to attend uh for mental health awareness. Uh Principal Lopez, Mrs. Feifel, Miss Swit, and Miss Pay took the ice bucket challenge, and I believe Dr. Fountain took the ice bucket challenge just the other day uh relative to um mental health awareness. So, that's always good. Harmon's continue having a great uh year. Their staff appreciation week was very successful. They also raised over $1,600 in scholarships that they were able to present to four Harmon students at the uh Combmes High School uh excellence uh evening. Uh and kinder camp, kindergarten camp on April 30th went extremely well. I think I got most everything there. Oh, and just a reminder, I know you're aware, but just so we're all on the same page, uh, next Tuesday at 6:30 is the CCS graduation at
012the CPAC. And, uh, next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the stadium is the CHS graduation. So, you're more than, uh, welcome to attend those if they fit within within your schedule. Okay. So, school and staff recognition. We would like to take a moment at this time to uh recognize um some retirees that have been with us and leaving us. I'm going to call up uh some of their uh um their supervisors or principles. Uh they can pick up the and grab the apple over there and then they'll say a few words and we'll bring that individual up. So I'd start with uh Cheryl Pierce, please. Okay. We were just joking because I double checked with Judy to see if I was going first or last, but it's okay. Can wing it? Oh, are they? Madame
013President, members of the board, Dr. Wyman, Miss Judy. I'm happy tonight to be here to celebrate Heather Domed. Heather is a second grade teacher at Harmon and she has been with us about 13 years. Heather, so Heather has served a lot of different roles on our campus, but um when she moved into second grade, something something magical happened. She just really hit her stride. And when you talk about an educator that knows every single kid in their classroom, that is this lady. I can walk into her room and I can ask her about any kid. She can tell me where they're at in reading and math, how she is intervening, the progress that they have made. It is like it's truly astounding. Um she took on building thinking classrooms in math um at the end
014of last year, beginning of this year. and the problem solving skills that her kids have acquired since she started this. It's it's so impressive. You just go in and it is it's just really amazing. So, she's made a huge impact. We hate to see her leave, but we certainly wish her all the best. I keep trying to convince her to stay every day, but she's not buying it. But thank you, Heather, for everything. We appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you. You go back to sub. Thank you. Have Dr. Pat Goulby come up, please. Good evening. Um, Dr. Wyman, Madame President, and members of the board. I'd like to bring up Michelle Guest, who is our teacher that is retiring from CCS. [Applause] Michelle is our science teacher and um she's been in the district for
015for 12 years as a teacher but also before that she was a substitute. She has been she's a member of uh the Combmes community. Her daughters both went to Combmes High School and they in turn became teachers and a nurse as well. Um, she brings to our campus a connection to our community. She knows the kids in our community. She knows their families. She knows about Combmes and never stops from the morning to the afternoon talking about the wonderful things that happen in this school district on our campus. She's been a force to be reckoned with. She believes that science should be live and hands-on. So, we have chickens. We have gardening. Our our middle school kids um they candle eggs and they hatch um chicks and they get to take them home if their
016parents let them. And she makes science come to life and she's been a member of our leadership team. I told you I was going to cry. Um our member of our leadership team and it leaves a big hole in my heart and also on my campus. but she's gonna be a a continuing amazing grandma and um daughter to her parents. So, so um I'm sad to see her go, but she's been a great person in this district and she loves this district and will continue to support our district as a community member. So, and she's my sub next year. Oh, yay. Michelle, I have three children that were sad that you were going. Oh, no. Not Mrs. Guest. Thank you. She did last night. Yep. Melissa Lopez, please. Good evening, Dr. Wyman, Madame President, members
017of the board. I am going to ask one of our pair professionals, Kathy Kelly, to please join me. [Applause] So today Kathy would or today Simon would like to celebrate Kathy Kelly who's been an essential part of our family um for 11 years. I think it's 11 years. 11 years. Um she's got a quiet strength and patience and just deep care for her kids. Um she's supported our students. She supported our staff. She's um always willing to chip in. She's always willing to help. And the great thing about being at Simon 10 for 11 years is she got to see a lot of our kids grow up and then she got to see their siblings come through and so she's been a part of that. And the kids genuinely love her. She's one of those
018people on our campus that if you ask them who's who's your trusted adult, who who's somebody that you can talk to, they say Kathy. They say Miss Kathy. Can we go with her? And our teachers just absolutely adore you. And I've just got to say that our campus is not going to be the same without you on it. We're going to miss you greatly and um we're gonna have we're gonna have a Kathy sized hole on our campus, but we hope that you enjoy your retirement and enjoy that time off and that break. Thank you. And then we also have a couple others uh people that retiring that couldn't be here. So we will just quickly recognize them. A couple bus drivers, they're probably out driving their buses. Um but Ronald Davis has been with
019us for six years and Larry Smith uh has been with us for 13 years. Uh if you haven't driven a bus, I haven't driven a bus, but I work for UPS. Uh it takes a special person to get out on the road every single day and if in the bus with a bunch of kids and so we appreciate what Ronald and Larry have done for us. Want to thank them and our fruit service lead uh Laura Shaw retired earlier this spring. So we want to recognize her. She's already moved and gone back to the Midwest. Um and we have given her her uh her apple and thanked her uh for everything she she's done for the district. She was 19 years of service with our district. So she's watched our district grow. And then Bob
020Anderson who is our director of support services uh recently went underwent some surgery. He's doing fine but he couldn't be here and we've had a chance to recognize him too. So we want to recognize and thank all those people. This uh this is a calling. Uh when you work in public education it's a calling. It's it's about making a positive difference in the life of a child and the years go by fast and the difference is immense. And I don't know that we always recognize the difference that these people make, but we do want to thank them because they have made a tremendous difference. In some of these cases, it may have only been like with Bob four years with us, but he's had a full career of 30 plus years in other school districts.
021And so, we just thank them for everything they've done. Okay, we have volunteer recognition. I'm going to pass on the volunteer because he couldn't make it. So, I'll grab him in June because I want to make sure he gets recognized because he's a special gentleman. Perfect. Okay, then um we we'll just jump on to a student of the month. All right. Uh good evening, Madam President, members of the board. Dr. Wyman and Miss Winger. I am filling in for Dr. Middleton tonight for student of the month. Last time I did, I told him I might not give it back. And I'm going to say that again because it's always a pleasure to get to recognize some of our outstanding students. Um, not a surprise. It seems to go this way a lot. But we're going
022to start with a student that we need to uh get up here and get recognized because she's got an orchestra concert to go to. So uh we're going to begin with Harmon Elementary and our character trade of the month communication and start with Aaliyah Figureroa. [Applause] All right. Aaliyah consistently expresses her ideas with clarity, whether through her writing or during class discussions. Her thoughtful participation, active listening, and ability to respond appropriately in both group and individual settings set a positive example for her peers. Whether she's giving a presentation, working on a long-term project, or contributing to a classroom conversation, she does it with confidence and purpose. Aaliyah's dedication to setting and achieving personal academic goals is also a reflection of her strong communication skills and a commitment to growth. Harmon is so proud of you.
023Keep up the great [Applause] work, listening to those character traits, thinking future educator, you know, maybe. All right, our next student of the month from Combmes High School is Benjamin Bird. [Applause] Right. Benjamin may not be here with us this evening. All right. From KM Center for Success, Zariah Bernham. [Applause] All right. In recognition of your inspiring growth from a quiet, thoughtful presence to a confident and expressive communicator, your ability to express yourself, contribute meaningfully, and connect with others has made a lasting impact. We're proud of your progress and excited to see how your voice continues to grow and inspire. Congratulations, Aria, to the the CCS student of the month. [Applause] I think Benjamin Bird just got here. Outstanding. I'll throw it down a little. Uh, take that and rewind it back. Right. My team
024laughs because I say that all the time. All right. Is this Benjamin? Come on up, Benjamin. Congratulations, Benjamin. We're going to we're going to say some nice things about you here. Uh Ben consistently gives his best effort in every class and always completes his work on time. He comes to class fully prepared and eager to learn, and his willingness to participate is truly commendable. Ben regularly volunteers to answer questions and actively engages in class discussions, always showing a genuine interest in what's being taught. Ben has also worked incredibly hard on all of his goals, demonstrating perseverance and determination every step of the way. In his vocational class, Ben has excelled, showing remarkable growth. He works diligently in the CPAC, completing every task that Miss Lee asks of him with a positive attitude. Through his experience,
025Ben has developed many new skills that will serve him well as he moves into the future. Beyond his academic and vocational achievements, Ben's a positive attitude and infectious enthusiasm bring a sense of joy to the classroom. He is always happy. I can see that right now. uh encouraging his peers with his bright smile and upbeat personality. Ben's dedication, participation, and consistent effort make him well deserving to being the student of the [Applause] month. All right. From Col's Middle School, Baylor Propman. [Applause] Baylor is an exceptional student whose ability to communicate sets her apart in the classroom setting on a daily basis. Whether she's asking or answering a question, writing anything from informational to argumentative topics and everything in between, she expresses herself with clarity, confidence, and empathy. Her communication style fosters respect, encourages open dialogue,
026and helps create a positive learning environment. Teachers and peers alike appreciate how she listens actively, asks insightful questions, and sets her best foot forward each and every day. Baylor's effective communication not only enhances her academic performance, but also inspires those around her to engage more deeply and respectfully in the content. But wait, there's more. Baylor's a fantastic student. We have comments from multiple teachers here. Baylor's a fantastic student that translates into all the work she does. She can communicate her questions and concerns about assignments and classwork very easily. She will communicate how her workload is going, any questions she feels are unclear, and create work that expresses how she feels about certain topics. She also will help other classmates to communicate and assist with work they may be struggling with. She's a real leader in
027the classroom throughout her communication skills. Congratulations, Baylor. All right. From Col's Traditional Academy, we have Alisley Lucas. [Applause] Love the dress. Looks fantastic. Smile at all those folks. All right. Aley is a kind and thoughtful communicator. She willingly shares her ideas and listens to the thoughts and opinions of others. Aley takes pride in her written work and puts genuine effort into expressing her thoughts, even as she continues to grow in her writing and spelling. She works well with her classmates and isn't afraid to speak up when something isn't right. Um, she asks thoughtful questions when she doesn't understand, and her communication skills make her a valuable and supportive part of our classroom. Congratulations, [Applause] from Ellsworth Elementary. Chanela Petra [Applause] Petravvic. Janella listens attentively to her classmates and teachers. She waits her turn to talk
028and uses kind and polite words. Have you Have you taught other people to do that? Awesome. We need more of that. Chanela expresses her thoughts and ideas in a clear manner. She collaborates well in all class activities and groups. She actively participates in class discussions and projects. And she is welld deserving of Ellsworth student of the month. Congratulations. [Applause] Next up from Ranch Elementary, Allaric Jimson. Think I need to put you on a chair. Everybody can see you. Allaric, who is known as Ricky, uh, has been in the EYC program for one year and five months. That's soon you stop measuring by months, I promise. Uh Ricky was a non-verbal student. He would join in activities and participate with his peers. He is now communicating with his peers during center and recess time. He will
029say hi to his teachers, communicate with them about what is on his shirt, and say, "This is my water bottle." He answers what questions, generates three-word sentences, and uses present progressive um ing verbs uh to describe a picture. He is one of the hardest working speech students and is a great role model in speech therapy. He's a hard worker and always perseveres even when he's feeling down. He's a joy to have in class. He's an awesome role model. Congratulations, Ricky. [Applause] And he's pretty cute to boot. So, all right, we have one more this evening from Simon Elementary, and that's Hudson Spear. Hudson has done such an amazing job in both advocating and communicating for his own personal and academic goals as well as helping with his peers. He isn't a student who will complete
030things in a bare minimum, but will wait, be patient, and ask those questions to feel successful. Hudson is also someone with a very kind heart and will try to problem solve any misunderstanding or disagreement with his peers uh so as to keep a positive class environment. For these reasons, Hudson is very deserving to be the student of the month. [Applause] Congratulations. We will take about a 3 to five minute break. So if you want any pictures or those of you that don't want to stay for the rest of the meeting, you're welcome to leave. Thank you. Are there Um, our next one is 5.5 governing board um members. They can report on anything that they uh have done. So, anybody have a report? You do? Yeah. Okay. Well, let's hear it. Yay. Okay. Okay, I
031got to go to the Combmes Educational Foundation uh two events, an awards uh recognition of excellence which was just it was awesome. Um it was a great experience. We made it fun. We got to talk and and meet people and it it was um an awesome experience. We have so many great people in this district. And then um I got to attend a meeting where uh there were donations given and I got to meet some community members in um in Canara which was very special and um they and then we got to see parts of Mamma Mia which was even more special. So it was very cool. Yes. So it was a it was a great month. Okay. Jason, you have anything? We went to the recognition together. Yeah. Together. It was okay. Very. Yes,
032it was a we had a lot of people. It was a some pretty good food beforehand and it was nice. Very nice. Okay. Stephen, anything? Okay. Lisa, um I had the pleasure of uh having Dr. Goulsby give me a tour of Comb's Center for Success. And so I was able to see the chicken coupe area and all of the chickens. Um they had a garden. Um one of the things that I most impressed upon me was the artwork where there's this whole wall um that the students can put their dreams on and see them. Um and it's just a really neat campus, a really neat program. Um Dr. Goulsby is amazing. Um I think the world of her and I just I was very impressed um by that tour that I had. Um, I also
033was able to attend the senior night for Combmes track and field. Um, it was it was a lot of fun. They also had chickens. They did a anything but a baton relay and they had a live laying hinn that they relayed with. So, that was that was a lot of fun. There was even um we heard about him earlier. He had the record uh for the 400 and he did it in a Batman pajama onesie I think it was with a cape and everything. So it was a it was a really fun track meet. Very impressed by the track program um the administration, the school facilities, everything. It was a great event. I also attended um a couple of awards. One of them was the CTE awards and to see I knew about a lot
034of the programs but to really be there and see the awards that are handed out, how many students are in the program, the types of accomplishments that they've had, um the hands-on realworld learning that goes on, um the career readiness and absolutely impressive. Um I will sing the praises of the CTE program at Combmes um forever. It's it's incredible. And then the following night, I think it was the following night, it was that same week, um the senior night awards and to see all of the local businesses and organizations that showed up for the community and the many, many students and the many awards that they got. We have an amazing school district. We have an amazing teachers, amazing students. Um I was so proud of Combmes. Um the my favorite though was the um
035Harmon Elementary. I think you had kids that went there. And so to see that the the children at Harmon get together and they do a fundraiser and then they give those funds as a scholarship to kids that are now at Combmes High School that had originally attended Harmon. And so you kind of get to see that full circle and it was very impress impressive, very touching. Um so that's that's all I have, but it was great. All right. My daughter was a recipient of one of those uh scholarships. Not yet last year obviously, but four years ago. Um so, okay, we're gonna um move on to our public comments and we have a short video. So, we want to This is a time for the public to comment. This is a time for the public
036to comment. The board invites the viewpoints of citizens throughout the district and considers the responsible presentation of these viewpoints vital to the efficient operation of the district. Members of the governing board may not discuss items not on the agenda and will be limited to directing staff to study the matter for further consideration and possible decision at a later date. The board therefore establishes the following procedures to receive input from citizens of the district. Any individual desiring to address the board shall complete a form and give this form to the superintendent prior to the start of the board meeting. The board president will keep each speaker to a 3minut time limit. Questions or comments on matters under legal review will not receive a response. Members of the governing board may not discuss items not on the
037agenda. Personal attacks are discouraged. At the conclusion of a call to the public, individual members of the board may respond to any criticism made by an individual who addressed the board. The expectation of the governing board and district is that everyone treats one another with respect and that the speaker presents their viewpoints in a civil manner. If more than 10 individuals request to speak, the board president reserves the right to limit individual speakers to two minutes and may set a time limit to the call to the public session. Then madam president, uh name is I'm currently serving in the Arizona House of Representatives for district 15. Um, all of Combmes Unified School District is in district 15. Uh, which means I'm your local legislator. And I I try to make it uh to board meetings
038annually. I was at the Queen Creek meeting actually last week. Um, and I wanted to be at this meeting, the prior one, but uh we were still uh on the House floor in a session well after 7, but um so I just want to make myself available. I'm here to be of service. Uh my uh website has my cellular telephone number if you want to call me. Um, but if you want to write it down, it's 480-6281037. So, I encourage anybody who has a problem at the state level or just needs help with anything having to do with government um, to let me know. So, like I say, just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I know we've met before to breakfast and some of us know each other already because we're in the
039community, but you know, thank you for for your service on on the board and um, if I can be of service, just let me know. Okay. Thank you. Wife broke her foot, so I got the kids. Okay, we're going to move on to the consent agenda. Does anybody have any um questions, comments, concerns of the consent agenda? If not, then I will take a motion to accept the consent agenda. I move to accept the consent agenda as presented. I second. All right. All in favor? I I I motion carries five to zero. Okay. Okay. With that we will go to 8.1 to consider discuss amend if desired and if deemable adi advisable to adopt the resolution ordering and calling a special bond election to be held in and for the district and author authorizing the
040chief financial officer to comply with the certain sections of the in the internal revenue code. Wow, that's a lot. And it's like look at that. like it was in like bold even like okay so this is just what we've been talking about for the last six months um this is the formal resolution uh for a call for a bond election um although the amount is not in the resolution that's per state statute uh in the backup material it is there and it's the 80 million that we've been talking about uh again just very quickly if there's a couple audience members that don't understand uh or wonder why we're doing what we're doing uh when we went ahead and had a conversation ation with uh Stifel which is our our bond uh council. Um they had
041indicated that we could go up to 80 million without increasing the tax rate. We understand that uh if we didn't go out for a bond that the tax rate may decrease at some point but we're approximately a$110 and we would maintain that$110 for the next uh 14 years and then it would start to decrease. Now that's uh presupposing that other things don't take place that does not take into consideration. for example, um, uh, LG and what the LG plant will do to the tax rate, that will actually be very positive, but that's not factored in because they will not hit the roles until 18 months after they, uh, come on board. Uh so based on that information, we went ahead and put a bond committee together that had community members as well as uh uh
042employees and we talked about all of our needs uh what was necessary in the in the district uh for the district and for our kids uh and came up with uh significant amount of um areas uh and then paired those down to uh to the 80 million and what we could move forward with. We had uh high ground with Paul Bence do a survey of all uh voters and the survey matched who's voted in the last election and who uh what the makeup of the voter roles is in this in this district. So it wasn't heavily ladened uh or even even it was based on how many Republicans percentage- wise, how many Democrats percentage- wise, how many independents there are. and uh they usually use a pre-est asking ahead of time uh then providing more
043information at the end of the survey they do a post- test normally you would see decline we actually saw an increase from 58% to 62% which is very very positive we saw uh increases uh surprisingly for them uh in the plus 50 crowd um which has not always happened so we're very uh pleased by that uh and so uh we're coming forward with the resolution Uh this resolution's been made by uh uh Gus Rosenfeld. Mr. Gil was here at the last board meeting and presented it. So he's been working with Stiffl. Uh we've been working with the county. You'll see uh the next board agenda if you pass this one. Uh puts us in an agreement with the county for how we move forward. The election will be in November. Uh the election will be
044ballot, excuse me, mailin only. Uh the reason for that is because if you're in a non-gubinatorial or non-presidential election year, they do it by mail and ballot only. And that's uh a state law that has nothing to do with us. We could ask for it to be uh staged uh in in person ballot, but that would be very exorbitant cost that we don't have that kind of money to to do that. So we'll we'll maintain a a mail-in ballot. Um over the course of the next couple of um months, there are certain uh legal deadlines that will have to be met. Uh we'll work with the county and along with uh Gus Rosenfeld and and uh um Stifel to make sure the pamphlet accurately places all the information in that needs to place in uh
045there's a legal bounds I think it's August 8th for when the pro and con statements uh would go into the into the uh ballot pamphlet. And so we'll work on all of those uh all of those kinds of things moving forward. But the first step before we can start that is for you guys to uh make a decision as to whether you want to go out for that uh election. Um and if you do, then we'll we'll take the next step. So I'm open for any questions, but I know we've had a lot of conversation over the next last five months on this topic. Okay. Um last thing, when you do read the motion, please read it as it's written in the agenda. Okay. Awesome. Okay. Okay. Um, Lisa, you have anything comments? Nope. No,
046I do. Um, I just want to, um, thank you guys for bringing this forward. I think we've gone through it. It's been pretty thorough. Um, our last board, our last meeting was just about this. I also feel that um as a district we've been pretty pretty good with our trying to um address our issues without going to the voters. Um but I think that at this point it's probably time. So with that being said, um if you have a motion, who would like to make the motion? I motion to adopt a resolution ordering and calling a special bond election to be held in and for the district and authorizing the chief financial officer to comply with certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code. a resolution ordering and calling a special bond election to be held
047in and for JO Combmes Unified School District number 44 of Panel County, Arizona on November 4th, 2025, providing for the conduct of the election, setting a deadline to submit arguments for or against the bonds, the printing of ballots, the canvasing of the election, and authorizing the district's director of business services as the officer to comply with sections 103 and 141 through 150 of the Internal Revenue Code. I second. Okay. All in favor? I I I is that Jason. Did you vote? Okay. I didn't hear you. Okay. That's um So, okay. So, that's the motion carries five to zero. I just didn't hear you. Sorry. I usually hear. Okay. So we're down to 8.2 discussion and consideration of renewal of the inter groovventorial governmental agreement between panel county and jos unified district for provision and services
048by the panel county recorder and elections department and this is just the next step since you've called the election then we'll be working with panel county elections to go ahead and and set up the uh uh the election and everything we need to do. So this is the IG that we have to uh go into agreement with. So I'd recommend approval as presented. Okay. Any questions on that? Okay. I'll take a motion then. I move to approve the IGA for provisions of service by the panel county recorder and elections department in regards to the 2025 bond election. Second. Stephen second. All in favor? I I motion carries five to zero. Okay. 8.3 discussion of possible action to submit policy priorities for inclusion in the uh Arizona school boards association of two 2026 political agenda. So
049you had attached the 2025 political agenda from ASBA. And what this is really about is the board just looking through there and and uh indicating what your top five priorities are uh for the u um for the agenda that would be moved forward next year when they go into session in in January. Um if you have if someone has a new or revised priority that you would like, you're more than welcome to bring it at this time. Um but otherwise it's just a case of is there particular areas that uh you believe are the priorities of the district and then that will just be um provided to uh ASBA and then they have a delegate assembly and a chance to go over it and decide what the final recommendations will be and Mr. Ray can
050probably explain it a whole lot better than me because I think he's been to it five years in a row. But so it's up to you guys as to what you want to move forward with in terms of the priority areas. I don't have a question. I do have a comment. If someone else would like that privilege, I'd be happy to like you don't have to feel like I need to go. I think it something a good experience once, twice, five times maybe is a bit much, but I'm happy to continue to attend as well. Okay. So, they have these the five, right? And these are the five on here. So improve of opportunities and outcomes for all students, require public accountability and transparency for taxpayers dollars spent on education. Um Arizona rural and remote
051schools, school safety and security, and uh federal advocacy. Oh, okay. Um, okay. What? What is that? Edqual. Equality. Just make sure that funds are I got it. Equitable for every Yeah. Okay. Equitable fund and district uh schools to the national median per pupil funding. That's that's a lot. preserve, respect, and strengthen local control. So, I mean, I think all of those are Yes. So, if we have if we do we have to say five specifically, that's what they would that's what ASBA is requesting. So, that each school district just puts their five in and then they go ahead and have a conversation. I think the delegate assembly would be if there's any new areas that might not be in there. Yeah. So, if I had to pick five, I'm just picking all but federal advocacy
052and Arizona rural and remote schools. Not because I don't care, but because I have to pick five. And so, I would just remove those two for my Oh, the Arizona rule and remote schools. Basically, because we're not, right? Would you say? I mean, just because if you have to pick five, right? Okay. I see where you're going. Anybody else have anything? Lisa, I feel like you want to go. Is that just a feeling or I feel like I to be honest with you, I would abstain from giving them feedback personally because I tend to disagree with ASBA on their political standings and agenda items. Well, this would be a perfect They would love to have me there. It'd be super fun. If you guys want to come, bring your popcorn. Okay. So, what do you
053think? I'm Is everybody okay with what um Mr. Ray has? Yes. Okay. So, let's go ahead and do that. And if you want to abstain, I think that's just fine. So, if you want to make a Why don't you make the motion then, Mr. Ray? I move I recommend and move that we submit those five areas that I said. I'm not going to repeat them because I don't want to read them again. Do you want to do you want him to tell you the ones that you're that that we're taking off, Judy? Yep. Yeah. As presented with the section of the two that I said. Do you know which one that is? Tell her which one they are. Federal. There we go. for inclusion in the ASBA 2026 political agenda. Okay. Okay. All in favor?
054Did we get a second? Oh, no. She's going to second now. Okay. So, she's going to second. And so then all in favor um Okay. Any abstaining? Yep. So, it's uh motion carries four with one abstension. Okay. So, then we're down to 8.4. discussion and possible action of changes to policy recommendations from ASBA policy advisory 8.9- 8/19-862 and 863-865 second reading. So these are uh just uh some cleanup ASBA. We brought it for first read at the last meeting. Uh really for the most part um all it is is uh a consolidation of any number of policies, regulations, exhibits into fewer policies, regulations, and exhibits so that it makes a little bit more sense. Uh there isn't anything from my perspective that's uh different than what we currently have. It's just placed at a different
055spot. So I don't know that there's unless you have questions, I don't have any concerns with there. Please know that in the uh when we get down to discussion section, we'll be doing section C for first read. And we just received section D. I think it was yesterday. That will come for first read in June. And it's the same thing. You're going to see a lot of deletion of policies or exhibits only because they've condensed them into fewer policies and policies and exhibits by doubling up so to speak. Um so unless there's a specific concern on one or the other, I would recommend approval as presented. And I'll also know that tomorrow morning uh the leadership team and the board will receive from me a memo with all the new regulations and exhibits uh just
056so everybody's aware what how they've changed uh in in policy. Okay. Any questions on the second read? Okay. So if there are no questions, no comments, then we will take I'll take a motion. I move to approve the change to polish recommended in policy advisory 8/19 through 862 and policy advisory 86 through865 as presented. Okay. Right. All in favor? I I motion carries five to zero. Okay. 8.5 discussion and consideration of approval of the 2425 annual expenditure budget. You're on. Good evening, Madame President, members of the board, Dr. Wyman, members of the audience and community. Um, action action item 8.5 is to comply with Arizona Revised Statute 15905, which requires districts to complete final fiscal year expenditure budget revisions for governing board approval before May 15th. That's why we're here tonight. Approved revisions are due
057to the superintendent of public instruction no later than May 18th. You received an alert that the original attachment to this agenda item was changed yesterday. I was so happy. The Arizona Department of Education released an updated basic calculation for equalization assistance or what we call our BSA 55 reports. It contained pertinent information to our budget. The May rep we originally prepared on the April report. Our May report showed a lower ADM. So tonight's expenditure budget was updated immediately to allow your approval to be based on the most current information that AD has for our district. The 202425 budget revision number two is based on the current ADM and our current projections on our expenditures. It will carry us through the incumbrance period which will go through the end of August. The original budget that we
058did and our December revision was based on ADM of 3,640.1167. Now, I did tell you that there was a difference and a reduction between April and May. However, our original budget is going to see an increase overall by 13.0173 students or ADM, which will now be based on 30 653.1134. So although we did see a decrease in that one month which caused the adjustment to the overall presentation tonight when we originally projected what we thought our ADM would be on the 100th day. We are still doing good. We we actually are going to put money back in the budget based on the ADM and the great uh group B weighted counts. page one and page seven for our M budget increased by $415,335. Our unrestricted capital, which you'll find on page four, was increased by
059$199,423. Other pages had some slight changes based on some information that was updated through ADM or changes in what our function and object codes were so that we can align the budget with our current and projected expenditures. Once approved, I will upload all of this to the AD website um so that we can meet our deadlines. Are there any questions about tonight's budget? I have one. Mhm. So, when I when I look at this, are we supposed to have last year's board members on there on the attachment? Yeah, I see the attachment. Yeah, the one I have for you tonight does not. Okay. Um, so that page probably did not update before I ex uh exported the file into a PDF. Okay. Um, but I promise the cover sheet I have for you tonight all
060has your names. Okay. And we'll load to the ad that way. It's going to be hard to get Bob back here. Well, I drove over there, maybe. Okay. Any questions? All right. If there's no questions, then we will um I'll take a motion. I move to approve the budget changes to 2425 annual expenditure budget. I second. Okay. All in favor? I I mot I motion carries five to zero. Okay. 8.6 discussion and consideration of approval of an agreement with Apache Junction um Unified School District for a redundant network link. So, this conversation with AJ uh came out of uh I think probably three or four months ago, we had fiber across the valley that was uh split. Uh that took us down, took a bunch of school districts down. Um we're working with the county
061for redundant loop. Uh however, it's going through federal funding and so it's been slowed to federal grants. It's been slow to to take place and so we don't have it yet. Uh in talking, uh Mr. Rutco was talking with AJ and what they do. They actually have a backup link through Mediacom and we're connected to AJ. So if the if the uh fiber is cut somewhere, we can jump onto the back of of AJ and mediacom so that we would not go down. Uh what happened with the conversations was by going ahead. Currently what they have is the two gig uh backbone uh on that mediacom loop uh by joining forces with us we can bump that up to 10 gig. uh therefore you won't see a reduction in services uh and the cost to
062us is $250 a month. So it's a nominal cost that gives us the security uh so that we don't lose uh the internet. I know especially at CCS where kids are online uh when the internet goes down that's uh uh makes for a long day uh because they're working online. Um and so this would stop that. So I would recommend approval. I think it's a it's a good partnership with AJ and us. Uh and it just helps out both districts a couple different ways. Uh I will tell you that both of us use the same legal firm. Uh and so they drafted the agreement and that's not a problem. But if there is a dispute for some reason on down the the road, we and they would not be able to use UL Shamway. We'd
063both have to secure different attorneys in legal disputes since since they represent both. And and uh both Dr. Papa and myself knew that from the get-go and signed off to say that we were comfortable if something did happen that we would have to use outside counsel just because they couldn't represent uh both of us in that. So otherwise I'd recommend approval as presented. Okay, any questions, comments? All right, I will take a motion. I move to approve the agreement with Apache Junction Unified School District for expanded bandwidth and backup internet coverage as presented. Second. All right. All in favor? I I motion carries 5 to zero. Okay. 8.7 discussion and consideration of approval of the proposed adoption of a new 6 to 12th grade English language arts curriculum. Well, look, we got to the end
064questions. That was the easiest presentation I've ever done. That's a loaded one. Yes. All right. All right. So, this is the uh second read and recommendation of a 612 English language arts adoption. Um, it has been a couple months, so I'll walk back through a couple of these components just to make sure we're all on the same page. Uh, these are the elements we look at uh when adopting a curriculum, ensuring that it's rigorous, aligned to our state standards. Um, provides clear learning outcomes, relevant learning experiences, focused assessments, and transparent learning. Um, this is our adoption cycle. We have worked to set up a cycle that our core areas um are picked up every other year on an overall eight-year cycle u to ensure that we're keeping fresh and relevant curriculum in place. Um that
065presents its own challenges, but it's it's an important piece for us to have in place to uh keep materials in teachers hands. As we've discussed previously, a critical element of that, of course, is that in 2025, a lot of what we get is digital. So, we have to stay on top of it. Um can't just blow the dust off the old books anymore. Want to recognize one more time the folks who served on the adoption committee. Um, a lot of hours put into this process. Uh, give some special recognition to some folks who have been supportive between the first read and the second read. Uh, some of them are are here tonight. So, Jen Neans, Cindy Andrew, uh, Leah Carbajal, Brenda Haro were all supportive in in that process as well as Christine Murphy. and
066we'll put some honorary design on there with uh Miss Horn and Miss Hargus who um supported us and helped out between first read and second read with some additional questions. So, I'll share some of that data with you all tonight. Um so, here's where we're at. Um in the overall process, as you can see, a critical component is that this takes a long time to get through uh to meet all of our statutory requirements and go through the the process fully um and meet our 60-day review on all those pieces. It takes quite a bit of time to get through. So we typically start in September, October and as you can see we finish April, May. So it takes quite a bit of time. Um these were the vendors that were selected to present. Um
067so the first round is a review of the print materials. Um we do that intentionally to make sure that teachers have an opportunity to dive into the materials themselves without um any sort of a sales pitch. Obviously vendors are good at what they do. Um so that's the second phase of the process to first review those components on our own and then decide what we want to see and hear more about and these were the selections for that vendor presentation um which we did several months back. Out of that process um we came with two top selections. One of them being the AP courses uh that are through perfection learning um and then for the core on level courses uh into literature through HMH. Um, our alternates were from BFW. Uh, you'll usually hear them
068called BFW, but Bedford, Freeman, and Worth for AP. And then Study Sync, um, from McGrath Hill was our alternate selection. Where do we get to those choices? Um, so with all of our committee scores, each of them, um, the average score for into literature was 106.46. Um, we also take a look at whether or not people have it in their top three. So for into literature 100% of the committee placed that in their top three. Average score for study study sync was a 93.85. 77% of the committee placed that one in their top three. Um you can see the results there for English lit and language and the language of composition. Uh those two AP considerations. Um and both of those are going to come out with top three and 100% because there were only
069three. Um so that's an easier piece. there's fewer vendors who provide those AP courses. The next piece that we always make sure we review as part of our process um is some of the research backing um ed reports is a good component to look at. Um you can see that this is the ed reports data for grades 6 8 10 and 12. Yes, you can also get seven n1 uh in between but they all look very similar. Um they get high marks for their text quality um building knowledge and usability. The next slide shows you the alternate um selection of McGraill. Similar scores. So, you know, one has positives in one area, another has positives in the other, but both of these are good quality research-based curriculums for us to consider. The last piece that
070we look at, and I always tell the committee that cost is my problem, not their problem. I want them to look at the integrity of the work, and then we try to make sure that it fits in our budget because if not, my good friend Julie tells me no. Um, so we make sure that we can can make the dollars and cents work. Um, and so that's the final piece here. Uh, the cost analysis for the eight-year adoption is 565,54375. I know we had a question in the past of why eight years. Do we have to do eight years? Um, we always have the option of ending the contract early. I will tell you that generally speaking, somewhere in the four to fiveyear range, we're breaking even. So, we might as well have the longer
071contract. We can always cut it short if we decide we want to move on to something else. Um but it becomes cost prohibitive to add on down the road because prices go up over the course of those four or five years. So that's why we do it this way to ensure that we have a a quality um expense. That's an average yearly cost of $70,692.97. Um since you mentioned Bob, I'm missing Bob right now um because he would check my math and make sure I'm correct. But he would hopefully that's accurate. Um, student edition with digital courseware is included. Um, teachers edition and worksheet masters. Um, had some questions recently about grammar, so there's some grammar practice built into that. Um, and then a component called writable. I know we talked about that at the
072last meeting, but in case we have new folks, um, writable is a crosscurricular component um that allows teachers to work on those writing components. Um, one of the things that that our committee really liked about Writable is that it can be assigned by any teacher. So even though this is an ELA adoption, um we could have students working on writing in a social studies classroom, they could also use this tool, get feedback on their grammar, their structure, some of those components. And so it gives us really some of those crosscutting standards um which is really important to us in 2025. Um Mr. Beach, I know you asked about professional development um and our first read. So basically there's a a kind of a standard package for our initial launch. Um, that's a two-hour live online
073training uh for into literature and then a two-hour training for writable. Um, and then we have some a one-hour training for our leadership, for our campus administrators. Um, no shocker here if I tell you that's woefully inadequate because it takes a long time to get a curriculum phase. Um, so we actually also have some additional training that happens over the course of the year. um we target those on our district professional learning days that happen on some of those early release Wednesdays so that once folks are in and working with the curriculum, they have those additional supports. What I've provided for you in this presentation is um aligned with our recommended adoption, but you would see some very similar components if we wanted to go with the alternate adoption. Same kind of structures are in
074place. We always make sure that we build in professional learning for any of our adoptions. Um to look at a cost comparison with our alternate selection McGraill study sync was 579752 slightly more expensive but really within range of the in literature um the caveat there being that into literature included writable um McGraill study sync would not if we wanted that writable which was a critical component for the committee it's an extra $196,000 over the adoption time frame which changes our cost from 579 to 775 and you can see of course that's going to increase our yearly cost as as well. So, just a component for the board to consider. Um, our advanced placement language composition and literature composition resources. Um, we've shared what those look like. Um, the cost for those is is relatively small.
075We have a small group of students who utilize those texts. Um, and this these funds will actually come out of um we get money for AP over the course of each year and so we'll pay for it back out of there as opposed to the the core adoption will come out of those capital funds that were set aside. um that also gives us a little more flexibility if those numbers increase over the years, easier to add those subscriptions. Um finally, the last piece that I wanted to share with you, one of the questions that came um to us out after the first read was wanting to better understand um some of the availability of materials. So, you know, one of the things we're always conscious of with any curriculum adoption is what are our community
076standards, our community norms, what's available to our students, um and making sure that those meet those expectations. So, Um, I love I love analogies, folks. I love analogies. So, in my I classed this up for you, but I call this in the yard, over the fence, and behind the wall. Um, but for tonight, I made it your core materials, your enrichment materials, and your choice materials. Um, because it helps to kind of contextualize what's the availability of anything. So, if we were to have a concern about anything within any of our adopted texts, is it something that's readily available to students or something that we would have to make an effort to get to? So for the recommended adoption, our core materials, those are the open access materials, meaning those are in the forward- facing
077student edition. So controlling those, controlling anything in that open access would be a difficult thing to do because it's it's in the print student edition. Um the specific elements are the analyze and apply and collaborate and compare and those are open to everything. So, um, we worked with board member Horn to go through some of those and make sure that we felt comfortable and confident with the vast majority of what is in those materials because again access is difficult difficult to control. Then we looked at the the second layer, my behind the fence layer, our targeted access access. So this is our excerpts in the student editions. So it might reference a specific work, a poem, a story, something of that sort. It might give the students a paragraph or two of that as kind
078of the hook. Um but any additional information um beyond that would be accessible behind the wall like we would have to provide access to that. It's not in those materials. Um some of those are readily available in the digital platform short reads. Um the significant piece here that I think is really important is that um the proposed adoption is set up to offer student choice. So we have opportunities for students to pick two of four, three of five, whatever that case may be. Um so something that speaks to them, aligns best with their interests, their values. Um they have that selection process. Um that's in addition to kind of our standard procedure of always giving students uh an opportunity to opt out of something if it's not um you know not appropriate for them or
079something that their family does not want. Um, and I think that's just in general a critical component of any adoption in 2025 is that we're working really hard to make sure that we have good information to provide to our families and our community um so that we can honor parental choice and allow them to make those decisions about what they want um for their child. The last piece is are the choice materials. Again, I call those behind the wall. Um those are ones that have restricted access. So, for example, if we said we wanted to read, I'll give you one of my um favorites, sarcasm intended, from high school, Great Gatsby. I was not a fan of Gatsby. Sorry, English teachers. Um like if we were going to teach The Great Gatsby as a novel,
080that is something that we would have to go through a process for. So, we would review that novel first to make sure that it's appropriate for the grade level, it meets all of the standards, it has literary value, and then that would come to you as a board to approve before we would include it as part of the adoption. Um, so those novel components are not included um with the exception of there is a list of novels that are kind of some of the classics that are available digitally. Um, again, we have the ability to to control access to those, but we do have some of them digitally. Again, most of your classic literature pieces um are what's contained in there. Um and then some of those those long read pieces are available in there
081as well. So, if we got to that point where we decided we wanted a particular novel, um we would bring that through the process and then bring that to you for approval. Um honestly, in in 2025, we don't do a lot of that anymore. Um we don't teach as much novel based as we might have 10-15 years ago. It's more skills-based. Um but if we saw that that would come through you all. So um so based on all of that information uh the recommendation from the committee is approval of perfection learnings um AP coursework and HMH's into literature and I will open it for any questions. Mr. speech. Um, I would just jump on that bandwag the ongoing developmental that training, professional development being part of the curriculum. Just know most teachers are going to
082initially just do what they have time for and they're just going to struggle through getting through and it might take a year or two, but if we can have people that are leading the way from the district to say, "Here are some precious nuggets that not only save you time, help you be more effective." If you can get excited about the curriculum and show those ins and outs, the teachers are going to have a better chance of being able to get excited about it, too. Because we know our teachers, the great ones, we can probably name some of them, are going to dive in. They're going to get super wet with it. They're going to get crazy and excited about it, and the kids are going to love it. We have those other people, the
083other teachers that we know aren't going to dive in as deep. And it's going to take the district to give that arm around them, say, "We need you to dive in deeper because you're going to enjoy it as a teacher." And the kids are going to be more engaged. So when the kids are more engaged, they're better learning. Our principles are going to like it because they're going to be fewer discipline concerns. The kids just need to be engaged. If the teachers don't know the curriculum, they can't engage the students. So absolutely, that would be my recommendation for sure. And I would just say just as a reminder, I don't want to click back through and give make everybody dizzy, but if we look at the adoption cycle, we've intentionally set it up that way
084primarily for our elementary folks so that they're not doing a core adoption every year because it takes a couple of years to get into something and we don't want to do that piggybacking ELA on top of math, on top of social studies, on top of science because it's just too much. A little easier for our secondary folks because they're typically one content specific. So when their cycle comes around, it's not quite so bad. But we've intentionally set it up that way to give a couple of years to get into a curriculum before we bring in something new. Other questions? I have a question. Just a comment. Thank you so much for putting that committee together and um having a wide variety on there. I know that that's a lot of hard work. This is very
085um taxing, but thank you. We appreciate it. And it's good information. M is that I would first like to start off by thanking you um parents, teachers, administrators, district staff, superintendent Wyman um for your time and effort, collaboration on the ELA curriculum committee. Uh the dedication that we have to our students, the commitment to open dialogue is deeply and authentically appreciated. So, thank you for that. As a new board member, I've asked difficult questions, encouraged challenging conversations, uh because I believe that doing so helps us to refine decisions that better serve our students. I've taken a deep dive into the proposed ELA curriculum, thoroughly looking at each grade level, every single lesson. Um, specifically looking at and reviewing originally all of the curricula that was brought to the committee and then honing in on both
086HM and McGraill. Curriculum concerns are currently making national headlines and affect all types of schools, public, charter, and private. this is not something that is just um the public schools are are dealing with. And I think that that's an important um message. And these challenges are not isolated. They're rooted in widespread influences from publishers who often push ideological content into educational materials. After personally reviewing multiple curriculum, observing both local and national trends, um I can confirm that these influences are real and pervasive. Now more than ever, we must remain focused, protect the integrity of education, respect parental rights, which um Dr. Fountain mentioned, support our teachers, and prioritize student success. The good news in all of this is that I do firmly believe that we at JO Combmes Unified School District are aware. We know
087where concerning content exists, going back to the in the yard, beyond the fence, and beyond the brick wall. Um, and we're prepared to work together to address it to better align with our district values. I think it's important to note that families must stay engaged, asking what their children are learning, reading, and experiencing both in school and beyond. School boards and curriculum committees must lead with courage, questioning materials, blocking inappropriate content, and customizing curriculum to reflect local standards and balance. Most important is the ability to bring forward concerns and conversations in a positive manner and work together to overcome these hurdles for the ultimate betterment of the final product for our students and their families which after this review process I do have full confidence in JOM's Unified School District that we are in fact
088doing just that. So thank you. Um passive oversight is no longer enough. We have to have active, responsible leadership um on the school board all the way down. I'm proud that our district setting the standard for transparency, excellence, and student- centered education. Our students are not a captive audience for political or ideological agendas. They must be taught how to think, not what to think. It is our duty to ensure we are doing just that. Um, I do have a couple of action items moving forward that I just wanted to make note of. Um, I would like to publicly request that all board members receive online access to curriculum materials with username and passwords, um, such as was printed and available with a laptop in the public viewing area during that 60-day period on day one
089of the review process from each publisher as presented to the committee. Um, additionally, under Arizona law, ARS15-721, curriculum committees provide valuable input, but the authority to select, purchase, and adopt instructional materials does rest solely with the governing board. And so, it's it's important for us to take um a very active uh part in that. To support alignment and efficiency, I recommend that future committee frameworks such as mission statements be brought to the board early in the process. It is important to understand that while the committees are valued and appreciated, they are not adoption committees, nor are they selection committees. They are valuable for insight, review, and feedback, however, the only ones able to select or adopt by law are the governing board. Um, I do have a few questions, but before I do, I just
090would like to, um, leave with you. Um, board involvement and inquiry are not signs of distrust, um, but a reflection of our duty as elected officials to represent our community. Thoughtful oversight honors the work of our educators and reinforces our shared commitments to students and families. um in the items that are of concern during the review period that are listed as being in the choice materials restricted access. I want to confirm that any board approval this evening confirms that those items remain restricted for the duration of the 8-year contract as you mentioned um any of those would then like Great Gatsby or whatever if those were in that area they would not have access to those until it was first brought before the board. Correct. Rick. Thank you. Just just for clarity though, I I
091would make sure that if that's what you want in the motion that you make that in the motion. Do not make the assumption because seven years from now, six years from now, there may be a whole lot of people sitting in this room that aren't sitting here today. So, um I would go ahead and make sure that the motion reflects that. Thank you. In the items that are of concern in the enrichment materials with targeted access, I want to confirm that they will be flagged in the teachers support maps. Additionally, should a teacher want to utilize a novel from this section, I request that district staff uh district support staff note that any supplements from this section per ARS 15-721 need to be brought to the attention of the board for ratification and that would
092be along the lines of the one that we just mentioned. And then in core materials open access in accordance with ARS 15-721 section D. I would like all balancing supplements for collaborate and compare to be provided to the board for review prior to the start of the 2025 2026 school year. And that is all I have. Thank you. Okay. Guys have anything else? And and I would suggest just for ease so we don't have to remember what she just said that we just say that that emotion as presented by uh Mrs. Horn because in effect in roundabout way she just did a motion. So that that makes it a little bit easier. I know Miss Wanger is is getting that information down, but I would just put the motion as presented by Miss Horn and
093then that way we're very clear on what the expectational level is uh and we don't misrepresent on a follow-up motion because we can't remember everything that was just said. Okay. Well then, um Mrs. Horn, why don't you go ahead and make that motion? I will give you my notes. That's even better. We're a team. I I truly want to make sure that I do I I do let all of you know everyone um that was on the committee that your work um it's a lot it is a lot to go through all of that material um and then also to be able to work together in a positive manner to get where we're at now. It's very much appreciated and you did an impeccable job. So, thank you. With that, I motion to approve the
094adoption of the 6th through 12th grade ELA curriculum and AP English language and composition curriculum as presented with motions regarding choice materials restricted access, enrichment materials with targeted access, and core materials open access as motioned previously by board member Horn. Second. All in favor? I I I So motion carries. Yep. Uh we'll go ahead and and go back tomorrow morning and clean up the motion so that it's exactly the way it's read. If we need to, we'll listen to the to the audio and put it exactly. We know you already voted 50, so we'll just place your votes in as a 50 vote, so it's nothing different than what you did, but that way there's accuracy in the record for for what the what the vote was. Okay, that sounds good. Thank you. Okay, so
095so 8.8 discussion, consideration approval of the 2526 school year kindergarten prep and 25 uh summer school fee schedule. Okay. Yeah. What we have what we have with that uh just a couple things obviously when we made when you guys approved the um uh community ed uh moving to right at schools uh that made some changes and we we spoke to some of the changes uh that we wanted to have um uh including moving away from three-year-olds coming in and just four and 5 year olds and moving from a split day for those kids in kinder prep to a full day. Well, right now they're only paying for a split day and so we approved the course fee before those decisions were made. So, we're just moving with a course fee that represents a full day
096instead of a half day, which would be reflective of the amount of time they're they're spending in. Uh the last time we did also not do last year a summer school option for this year, although it we there's a a price tag there. Uh we do not have enough kids that are interested in the summer school. So, even though you you vote to approve that, at this point, we're not running a high school or middle school uh um summer school, but I would still go ahead and make the motion to approve both as is. Uh maybe something changes in the next uh couple weeks. I doubt it, but but that way there's a safety net there. So, my only question is this is specifically for the kinder prep um and the summer school fees. Is
097that correct? Yes. Yes. But there's if you go through the whole the whole one, you'll see down at the bottom the summer school at 150. It's part of the part of the form that that's the only change. If you scroll down to I don't know if it's page three and it's marked in red and that'll show you the change. So, so it um because it's part of the fee structure, we wanted to get it correct and so it's marked in red, but everything else is the same as what's been previously approved. Okay. So, it's just all there just because it's all there. It's the form we used. Yeah. Perfect. So, I do have a question. Um, are they able to use their tax credit for this? Um, no. No. How come? But it's So this
098is kindergarten, right? No, it's Oh, kinder prep. So they don't really the the dollar but the dollar amount they're paying is very similar. There's a slight increase. The difference is right now we have give me correct young coyotes. So if I pay $100 for Young Coyotes and I pay $100 for Kinder Prep, I'm paying $200. We're just saying that this year Kinder Prep's $200 because we're not having young coyotes. So, so the pricing there's a there was a slight increase to represent um costs associated with it, but in effect um they're paying what they paid before. They're just paying it as a as a one fee instead of a two fee, which one fee would be for young coyotes and one fee would be for Kinder Prep. So, so it looks bigger than the gain
099really is. It's it's just that you've now done it for the full day instead of half the day. Does this affect any of the summer programs um like football that they have during the summer? those type of community education programs. This is just kindergarten, pre kindergarten. Yeah, I still feel like I I think you need to to draw me a picture because it's not something that um they pay for that, right? I mean, they pay for it. It's not something that we offer. They do, but it would be considered curricular and tax credits are only eligible for extracurricular such as band, athletics, things of that nature. Preschool and kindergarten, that's going to be a curricular component which is not outlined as available under the department of revenue. Okay. All right. Any other any questions? Sorry
100guys, I jumped at him. Do you have any questions? No. Okay. If you have um if there's no questions, I will um take a motion. I move to I move to approve the uh updated fee schedule as presented and authorized principles to wave the assessment and all part of the fee assess if it creates an economic hardship. I second. All in favor? I I motion carries five to zero. Okay. All right. Um so now we are into information and discussion items. Look at us at 7 o'clock. All right. Dis 9.1 discussion and information on 2425 district student enrollment. I know that you sent those to us. Yep. So, if there's any questions, I'll be more than happy to answer them. But otherwise, it's pretty straightforward. Any questions on those? No. Okay. If there's no questions,
101then I will take a motion. Oh, we're not motion. No, this is just information. Just discussion. Dang it. Dang it. Okay. Discussion and consideration of changes to the policy JLCC first reading. And this is just a clarification of students that have lice or pediculius when they should be excluded or not excluded. It puts us in alignment with uh uh with health department regulations and with other uh districts. Uh and so it's just a minor change. Um I think down at the very bottom of the policy at the there's one sentence that we modified uh for it. So if you have a concern, just let me know before the final read. But that's that's what this is about. So, you're saying that if they have it, they they basically need to be sent home. No, no.
102That they're they will be separated from their peers um for that day and and then excluded from school at the end of the school day and they can return once um uh once the treatment has started. So, it's just a minor modification. Um I think the old policy excluded them right away. And this is fine-tuning it to say, "Yeah, we'll put them for simplicity sake in the nurse's office, let's just say, so they're excluded for the rest of the day." Um, uh, and then at the end of the day, they're they can't they're told they can't come back until they start the treatment. But once they start the treatment, uh, correct me if I'm wrong, uh, before they would be out until the treatment was done versus the new regulation is that once you start
103the treatment, you're allowed to come back. So, we just wanted to make sure that was clear so that kids were not getting excluded for school for a longer period of time that was necessary based on on new health code uh guides. So, are is there still um I know that there used to be like a slip that went home to everybody. Yeah, we we have forms that we we send out if we have that uh if we have an outbreak. Okay. All right. Um Okay. So then we're any questions on that one yet? Okay. Um 9.3 discussion consideration of changes in policy GCC first read. This is just on briement leave and there's just a couple things that we would like to add to the uh to the policy. What we've ended up uh finding
104in a in a unique situation right now, the way our policy uh reads is that you get basically one five-day bereavement situation uh uh per year. We have had several situations over the last few years where we may have an employee who may lose uh uh two or even in some cases three family members uh in a year. And the way our policy read is they would not get briement for that. they would have to they would only get five days and they would have to uh then either use personal time or get not get paid if they didn't have any time. We also just wanted to add um how we define what a family member is. This is just taken off a federal uh uh defining of of the different types of uh family
105members that we would consider part of it. So, it's just a way to recognize that that uh it just even in my short time here, I can come up with four cases where uh an individual employee lost more than one family member a year, but they were only allowed to have one five-day briefment because the way our policy read. So, it it came to attention this this year, and we just decided to clean it up. The reason we're bringing as late as we are is because we want it to start at the beginning of next year. If you start at the middle of year, then it gets confusing. is all get out because if someone used up this one and now it was the old policy and now you're in a new policy. So, we've
106just purposely delayed it. We've had it since February, but we've delayed it so that it times up so it starts in July with the new with the new year. Okay. Um since this is just discussion and this is our first read, we'll go on to 9.4 for discussion and consideration of changes to policy recommendations from ASBA policy advisory 866-875 first read and that's just u section C of the policy manual again very similar to section B and so you can take a look at it and if there's any specific questions but for the most part again it's just a a collapsing of of regulations and policies into fewer policies so nothing earthshattering that I saw in there okay uh 9.5 discussion information on the 2526 board meeting dates and this is just prior information for
107the next meeting. We'll bring the next meeting with the exact dates for next year and in that we'll also for the principal's sake they'll know which month that they're expected to make the presentation for their schools or or department heads for the department. So it's justformational um to in order to prepare for next month. So the October 8th is because of the fall break. Yes. and the March. Oh, is it the 8th is still the second Wednesday? Okay. So, it's March. March. Okay. Okay. Okay. Any um questions, comments, concerns on that one? Okay. Um 9.6 Six discussion information on the final payment of the schoolwide school achievement uh from proposition 301 performance pay plan. Right. We bring this to you annually in the June board meeting. So this is just giving you the information ahead
108of time. Uh and basically we have to bring it to you at the June board meeting so that we can get the paid the the checks uh released by the end of the month. Um, and so it is the $800. If you remember, it used to be, I think, closer to 4,000, but the decision a couple years ago was to take the large portion of that, move it into the base salary. Um, and so, uh, they will, uh, as the school year winds up, principles and, uh, teachers will complete the evaluation process as well as the 301 components and then they will determine how much money they get of the $800. Um, and that this will come back for approval in June. So, it's just a normal defunctry thing we do. Okay. All right. Um
1099.7 discussion information on the spring 2025 substitute stipen. Uh same thing, just bringing it to you so you know in June we will uh provide the spring substitute stipen that was approved by the board I think a couple years ago. And so that's just giving you who the people will be. It's there's a nominal number of of people that will do it. But again, it's just a preparation so that you're aware it's coming at the June board meeting. And how many times do they have to sub to do this? It is uh I want to say 75% of the of the semester. And so I think it ends up being 62 like 62.5 days. And so if they do that, if they stay with us for 62.5 days of subbing, then they would get the
110stipen in the semester. The in the semester because we do a fall one too. And so what I can tell you is that for the most part with a few exceptions, it's it's long-term subs are are who get this. There's a couple situations where someone doesn't have a long-term sub and they put enough time, but it's it's rare and it's it's varied depending on the year and depending on what's going on. So this particular one doesn't have very many, but that could change on any given time. Right. Okay. Okay. Um 9.8 discussion and information on the final payment of a c administrative performance pay plan that is4 that is the same as the teachers. Uh the funding source is different. Uh but the um plan was uh presented or approved to be the exact same
111as the teachers only applies to the administrators. Um and so we will go ahead and bring that forward to based on the same criteria. Yeah. next month. Okay. Okay. Um 9.10 discussion and um information regarding authorization of expenditures of the monies in ex excess of the m oh discussion information to not allow online charter school students to try out for intercolastic athlete athletics and activities as defined as the supported in the AIA. This is an AI request of the board that has to make the decision as whether you're going to let them compete. Uh the reason I move forward with this recommen recommendation on an annual basis is because we have an AIO AOI program which is an online program. So if you would like to play our sports then join our online program and
112you can play our sports. If you want to take another I'm just going to say prima vera because it's out there then you're part of prima vera to come back. This is different than homeschool. This is different than anybody else. This is related to uh actually the AIA. There's no law that requires it one way or another. AIA says boards. It's up to you to decide what you want to do. Um and again, because our online program is aligned so that as an example, in other districts I've been in, uh it is aligned with the NCAA clearing house so that a student could take our online program and if they were to get a scholarship somewhere, um the our online program would would count towards the NCAA. So, we're not going to penalize any kid
113for being on our online program versus another online program. So, I just think it's good practice for the district to represent itself. And so, that's my recommendation. You can think about it uh and take a look at it and please ask me any questions, but that's been my stance uh for for the better part of a dec decade now. Yeah. Okay. So, that's coming for a vote next time. That coming for vote next time. All right. 9.10. discussion and information regarding authorization or expenditures of monies in excess of M fund subsection of uh FY 202526. I'm going to bring you home on these last three. Okay. Um this particular um item is going to be brought to you as an action item and I apologize these are actually out of order. 9.12 should be before
114this one. We will make sure it's correct when it comes to your approval at the governing board meeting in June. The a as presented earlier, we have to present the amendments to the governing board in regards to our expenditure budgets. In June, we will bring you the proposed budget based on the forms that we receive from AD. Within that budget, we develop categories for our regular education, our special education, our transportation, and our K3 reading programs. You allow us to vary between the information that's in any of those individual cells as long as we do not exceed the overall budget that you approve. That's what this particular discussion item is. And it's the same thing that we approve every year. I bring you the fund language um every year, but that's what this is to
115just let you know that it's coming forward. Okay. So 9.11 9.11 is the combined resolution uh with the county treasurer. It's the same resolution that we sign each year where we allow them to invest any surplus funds. We identify who can sign the warrants. Uh identifies Dr. Wyman and myself are the only ones allowed to uh execute a wire fund transfer which we never have. Um it also identifies never say never never say never. Um it identifies the outside banks that we keep our auxiliary funds in our revolving fund things of that nature. It also identifies who has access to the treasury uh panel county treasury website. Okay. 9.12. And the last one is just a reminder that in June I will bring you the proposed budget. That budget is based on what AD provides
116us in regards to those forms. I will tell you the last time I was on a webinar which was earlier this week. Um it doesn't look like we're going to get those forms as fast as we would like. So there is a chance that I could bring you a proposed budget. Normally you would not see a difference between a proposed budget and an adopted budget which would come to you in July. However, if there is a delay in those forms or there is any regulatory or statutory change that comes to us, there could be a change. But this is just to let you know that the proposed budget for the FY2026 year will come to you in June for adoption in July. And and the biggest reason for the change will be if the state
117budget doesn't get out till after June, mid June, is then AD has a hard time getting the numbers uh the forms out to school districts. And so in some cases they might try to release them with some guesstimates and then oops also there's a change based on whatever the state budget is. So it's being driven by the uh by the state budget and and when they get done. Um and so we'll see. Representative Carter seemed to think there was hope that maybe something might be done by the end of the month. Um I hope uh that he's correct, but I read things that maybe there's a little bit more consternation taking place. But I think a couple years ago we had this problem because they didn't get the budget done until I think it was
118June 20. So, we'll we'll work within what we get when we get it and move forward from there. Okay. Thank you. All right. So, now we're down to uh 10.1 future agenda items. Do you have anything that you would like to put on an future agenda? I do. Okay. Um I have three. The first one is cell phone policy discussion and potential adoption similar to those instituted in neighboring districts and states. The second one is policy discussion and potential adoption regarding eligibility for athletics in regard to timeliness and frequency. And the third is policy discussion and potential adoption regarding schoolboard review and approval of any books offered or presented at any Combmes district site for school book affairs. Okay. Anything else? No. Okay. I'm going to make a motion to adjurnn at 7:16. We have
119a second. All in favor? I I motion carries five to zero.