001We are on. >> Good evening everyone and welcome. It is Wednesday, December 10th at 6:30. I call this public hearing to order. Lisa, can you please call the role? >> Robert Downey, >> present. >> Patty Coutrey, >> present. Carolyn Lopez, >> present. >> Ben Owens, >> present. >> Shante Rosschild, >> present. >> Thank you, Renee. Move on to item 1 C, public hearing on the approval of fiscal year 2026 budget revision pursuant to ARS 38431.02 and ARS15.09. Mr. Harmon. Good evening, President Downey, members of the governing board, and Dr. Lopeman. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the revisions of our adopted budget. A revision is required in December if the district's adopted budget is 1% or more above the state calculated budget amount reflected in the 40th day student counts. We hit that
002trigger due to our actual enrollment growth coming in under projections. As we've heard from our demographer in the in a recent board meeting, the state funding formula is based on ADM. At this point, our actual enrollment is up about 104 from prior year, but 265 short of our projections. ADM receives two sets of multipliers known as group A and group B weights. Our total weight at ADM is 540 below projection. That will result in reductions in several areas of the funding formulas. The bottom graph shows our year-over-year growth in ADM since fiscal year 20. Um, this is our lowest growth year during that period. for M. We have changes all across the funding formula. Overall, the general budget limit is increasing. But let me address some important distinctions on the next slide. I'd also like
003to mention that this um that these highlights do not include every line from the funding formula. I'm only highlighting the signific significant changes. So, the lines listed do not add up to the the budget limit amount if you're trying to add those up. The two most important concepts related to our overall budget are first what revenue is ongoing and what is one-time and second what ongoing expenditures are are committed. Um this slide shows the changes of the budget and highlights what is ongoing and what is one time. So, we're showing an increase in our Mino budget limit by almost a million dollars due to increases in our one-time funding factors of approximately 1.9 million and a reduction in our ongoing revenue of approximately $1 million. We always try to make conservative decisions in our projections
004and budget planning to ensure we keep the operations of the district stable and reduce financial risk, especially when we operate in a current year funding model that is based on enrollment through the first 100 days. This slide shows our revised ongoing revenue level compared to our committed ongoing expenditure level. As you can see, we kept our spending level well below our adopted limits. So, while we're now um reducing our spending, sorry. So, while we're now uh spending very close to our revised revenue level, we don't need to make any mid-year reductions or change our expenditure plan. We'd also like to remind the board that our expenditure plan includes built-in contingencies. Uh we also have healthy reserve balances to further mitigate financial risk. Very similar to M there are a number of changes throughout the capital
005funding formula. The the significant changes um are in one-time funds. Um the reason for this is our capital funding formula is based on prior year ADM. Um, I've uh snipped a slide from our adopted budget presentation where our capital expenditure plan was presented for this school year. Please note that our revised budget limit is just over 8.7 million. Um, as with M, we were conservative with our expenditure plan which shows that we're still below our revised capital budget. Classroom site fund had minor changes in carry forward earned interest and per pupil allocation. Overall, this budget limit is increasing by $19,000. The summary slide shows increases to our sorry, so shows changes to our budget limits in each of the main funds uh with a overall decrease of the three main funds of $121,000. Concludes my
006presentation on the revised budget. I'm happy to address any questions you may have. >> Mr. Harmon. Um, and the capital funding, uh, we all know that the SFD is no longer funding, um, repair projects. Are we having to put any of those aside based on that and then this reduction? >> Great questions. Yeah, there's the the SFB um, building renewal grant formula is very low on funds. they're they're holding off on any um any projects except for things that have critical um life safety and emergencies. We have had some emergency building renewal grant um grants approved. Um we also just had the weatherization of MES approved. It was in the we were in line for approval. Um, that being said, we are handling um our plans for next year differently and how we're allocating our
007dollars into into our buildings to be aware of the lack of funding in our building renewal grants to make sure that we can address critical things like roof leaks or roof repairs when previously that would go into building renewal grants. Um, this plan, our expenditure plan for the capital uh for our capital um expenditures is not changing. We're still able to fund all of those. Um, but we're we'll definitely re-evaluate next year and future years. >> Thank you. >> I have uh a couple kind of going based on what you just you last said. What is the or how does it affect our future growth patterns and are we going to be revising those numbers for next year, the following year? >> It's a great question. We we build our budgets based on our demographers
008projections. Our new report um has an updated tenure projection um which is different than our last report. So the projections that we're running for next year that you'll see um at a believe the first time we'll see that is at our January board meeting. You'll see our 27 model that's based on those projections. >> Okay. Um, and then two points I guess just to revisit is that we still grew just not at the pace that we originally thought. Right. >> That's true. >> And then we still have carry forward. >> We do. >> So good job. >> Are there any cuts in personnel? >> The decision for this revision is not going to impact any of our current operations. Um even if we even if this was more dire and we were you know overspending
009our our ongoing revenue limits that's why we have reserves so that we can you know maintain our year or reevaluate things mid year but luckily we're not at those levels. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Changes happen. Definitely understandable. I do think it's great though that we had the funds in reserve. Um so kudos for planning there. Um, not really a question, but just more of a comment to whatever those specifics were that were done to allow us to be in this spot that we continue to do that so when we come into these situations that we remain prepared and ahead of the curve. >> Yeah, this this year's definitely different than what we've seen over the past, you know, seven, eight years, certainly in in the time that I've been here and um Dr. Lman's
010been here. So, we are definitely, you know, every year we learn about how we project our budgets and how we we staff the new year. Um, this current year funding model, you know, has has risks if you grow or don't grow based on what you build your budget on. And you don't often know that until you're, you know, 40 to 100 days into the new year. So, yeah, definitely some some lessons there. Okay, there's no no further comments from the board. Mr. Harmon may potentially obviously stay stay by because we now move on to item onee which is actually an an opportunity for people to do public comment. You can either come up and give a quick comment or ask the board or Mr. Harmon or anyone actually a question on the budget. Okay, it
011doesn't look like anybody anybody. Thank you, Mr. Harmon. And I move on to item two, adjourn the public hearing. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Lee, we have a motion to second. >> Shante Rothschild. >> I. >> Ben Owens. >> Hi. >> Carolyn Lopez. >> Hi. >> Patty Catra. >> Hi. >> Robert Downey. >> I so moved. The public hearing is now adjourned. Good evening and welcome everyone. It is Wednesday, December 10th at 6:40. I call this meeting to order. Lisa, can you please call the role? >> Robert Downey, >> present. >> Patty Catra, >> present. >> Carolyn Lopez, >> present. >> Ben Owens, >> present. >> Shante Rosschild, >> present. >> Thank you. We now move on to item 3C, pledge of allegiance. And the vaster star for tonight, Mrs. Dickerson to lead
012us in the pledge. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. We now move on to item 3D, adoption of the agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> At least we have a motion to second. >> Shante Rothschild. I >> Ben Owens. >> Hi, >> Carolyn Lopez. >> I >> Patty Catra. >> I >> Robert Downey. >> I so moved. We now move on to item four, superintendence report. Dr. Lukeman. >> Thank you, President Downey. We hosted our first ever volunteer appreciation breakfast celebrating 36 volunteers who bring talent, time, and a little extra sparkle to our schools. They they read stories, sort mail, plant gardens, and step in wherever help
013is needed. Their presence reminds us how fortunate we are to have a community that stands with our students and staff. They make our schools brighter, our work lighter, and our students days better in many ways that matter. A big thank you goes to our partners at Chase Building Team for supporting the sixth annual Great Pumpkin Pie Pickup. This year, our governing board handed out more than a thousand pumpkin pies to personally share their gratitude with the staff who choose to serve in MUSD. I think and that's Mrs. Lopez in her turkey outfit. It was a wonderful way to head into the season of thanks by celebrating the people who make our district exceptional, including our board. Last week, this room was filled with energy for the MUSD wellness fair, an opportunity for all of us
014to learn about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and connect with various vendors. Attendees enjoyed healthy snacks to stay energized, connected with vendors offering wellness products and services, and entered raffles for a chance to win amazing prizes. This event is part of our commitment to goal three, organizational culture, striving to be the gold standard in partnerships with health and wellness. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the wellness fair a meaningful experience. Maricopa High School's marketing and DECA students hosted a two-day market fair showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit of our students. Student vendors offered homemade goods, upcycled clothing, upcycled clothing, jewelry services, and tasty treats, while school clubs also participated with booths to raise funds for their organizations. Participants used insights from day one to refine their marketing and business strategies for day two, ensuring they
015achieved their goals of breaking even or turning a profit. This hands-on experience highlighted real world business skills and creativity in action. MUSD is proud to recognize three outstanding educators who will represent the district at the mathematics education appreciation day. meet, in other words, me conference on January 24th um at the University of Arizona. Kevin Paw of Desert Sunrise High School and Michelle Williams of Maricopa Elementary School have both been selected to present at this year's conference, joining 150 Arizona math teachers chosen to share their expertise in innovative classroom practices. Kim Bayan of RAM of the RAM Academy will also attend, further strengthening our presence at this statewide professional learning event. Both Michelle Williams and Kim Bayan have been nominated for one of the conference's two statewide awards, which recognize excellence and resiliency in mathematics teaching
016across Arizona. Being considered for these highly selective honors is a testament to their dedication, expertise, and impact in the classroom. We're proud of these educators accomplishments and grateful for the passion and leadership they bring to math education in our district. And tonight, I close my report with deep gratitude. I want to take a moment to recognize our governing board president, Robert Downey. This is his last meeting with us, and we cannot let the evening pass without acknowledging the impact he's made on our district. President Downey, you brought a clear vision and exceptionally high standards to MUSD. You have embraced the high level role of a board member with purpose, your focus on accountability and long-term student success, elevated expectations, and strengthened the board's collective work. I'll go a little bit off script here. What people
017don't know is that a superintendent and board president have a thousands of conversations. um about big and small, but when you're having that conversation, there's it's kind of the only thing in the whole world going on in that moment. So, we've had thousands of conversations over the years. And to a word, um Mr. Downey, your expectations are clear, have been clear. Um, and your compassion for the people who are in the trenches is crystal clear as well. And I think that combination is so uncommon. And it has been an absolute pleasure to um work alongside of you, work for you over these past years. Your leadership, steady and principled and forward-looking, has helped guide our district. You've championed responsible stewardship and encouraged high expectations in the systems that keeping that keep us moving in the
018right direction. As you step into your next chapter, please know how deeply we appreciate your service. You'll always have a place here. You'll always have a home here. And on behalf of MUSD, we thank you. And that's my report. Thank you, Dr. Lman. Thank you, everyone. Tonight I'm going to make an exception to my self-imposed rule that I as president always speak last on any issue. Um, everybody on the board has an equal weight. However, I always view that the president should speak last to allow everyone else to have their opinion first and to listen to others before I spoke. Um, it's already been said, but I want to announce tonight that tonight is my last night at Maroba Unified School District Governing Board. Serving on the board for four years as president for three
019years has been a pleasure education and it's um allowed me to continue my personal development as a person professional. Next month I turn 67. My wife and I want to travel. I'm seriously considering embarking on um getting education to become a life coach. um it'll be hard to fit it all in. Um when I joined the board, I knew nothing about public schools. And in fact, I sometimes cynically say I couldn't even spell public schools or governing board. Um working together with Dr. Lopeman, her staff, school principles, administrators, prior and current board members, but most importantly, teachers. We have made together we have made us MUSD be a better place. I think for the employees and for the students, I know that the current board will support the district to continue ever improving the trajectory.
020I thank you all for the time I've spent here. I move on to um member Rothschild. >> I dare not follow that. Um, President Downey, it has been a privilege to serve um alongside you obviously and the rest of the board members. Um, thank you for your dedication, your efforts, your guidance, uh, your leadership, and most importantly, your sacrifice. Um, it has been a pleasure and I and I wish you well. >> Thank you, member Owens. >> Thank you, President Downey. Uh, I wish you the best and thank you for uh thank you for your uh your service the past four years. Um, for someone that works full-time, um, you being able to attend a lot of the trainings and bring some of that information back and be a representative to the of the district
021in a lot of these trainings. Um, for me was um, thank you for that really. So, um, as far as a board member, I don't have a lot of much else to say. Um, it's just been kind of a it's busy last month. Um, I think about the only thing that I was able to do as a community member, uh, was last Friday, uh, Desert Sunrise, FCCLA, and DECA hosted a child watch evening, babysitting night. Yep. And, um, uh, I was able to, uh, uh, to spend a little bit of time over there. And that was, uh, uh, that was great to see, uh, kids really enjoy that time. um and get to hang out with high schoolers. I mean, for a kindergartener or, you know, some of those kids look like they may have
022been four to get to hang out with a high schooler, that's really kind of cool and for a lot of those kids. So, uh so that was that was a lot of fun. So, congratulations to those students, those teachers, the admins that helped pull all that together because I know there's a lot of stuff that went into that. So, uh and that's all that I have this evening. Thank you, member Lopez. >> Thank you, President Downey. Um, whoever did that child watch, I need to talk to you. I need more. I missed it. I I would I would totally sign my I need a night by myself. Um, thank you, President Downey, for your service. Um, I have I have learned a lot from you. Um, and like Ben here said about when you go
023you you go to those trainings a lot more than we're able to and you bring back that information and it's very valuable. So, I appreciate that. Um, as far as the month goes, uh, I think we were all a little busy. Um, as you saw, I got to hand out pies. Next year, I will be wearing make sure to remember for gloves. Those pies are cold. Um, and you get a thousand divided by five. That's a lot of pies. My hands were cold. I'm sure Mr. Becket's hands were cold, too. He was helping. Um, and I also did cultural night yesterday, last night at MEES, which I was there as a parent, but I absolutely loved it. I love it every year. every year it just seems to get better and better and I love
024watching I love watching the kids get into it and involved but I really there's something special about the staff getting into it and really encouraging um everything about cultures from the food to the games, the music, the the clothing. It was just it was wonderful. It was awesome to see all of our families at the school and participating. Um, so I had I had a lot of fun with that. I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving weekend and happy holidays for the next month or so, whatever you've got going on. And that's that's my report. >> Thank you, Vice President Cray. >> Thank you, President Downey. Um, not too much more can be said that has already been said, so ditto ditto ditto, but thank you so very much for your years of service. Um,
025I know that uh when you were first appointed, you took my over my position when I had to resign so I could work for the district for a couple years. Um, and uh, you've done an amazing job and I appreciate everything that you've done and I wish you all the best going forward. Um, as far as governing board report, um, did the volunteer breakfast. You know, somebody had to be her sidekick when she came dressed as a turkey for the pumpkin pie pickup. um also attended a be awesome event. Um it was called cookies, cocoa, and conversation. Um and it was really focusing on marijuana. Um what it is, what to look for, you know, what and the conversation was what can we do to make more awareness because this is now trickling down younger
026and younger. Um and with vaping, it's extremely easy to get a hold of. and how do we how do we combat that? So, that was a good conversation and just a beginning um to move forward. And then uh I was able to um attend Maricopa. Um it was very cold outside that night. I'm not going to lie. I wore gloves. Um but it was a great event, a very well attended event. So, um wishing you all a happy holiday. Merry Christmas for those. Um, and uh, I know the kids are an getting anxious and so these last couple weeks of school are probably going to be um, a little bit challenging because they're all anxious to go home for winter break. So, and that's just the teachers. So, um, the kids too. So, merry Christmas,
027guys. >> Thank you. We're going to move on to item six, information items, specifically 6A, classroom spotlight, Butterfield Elementary School. Mrs. Dickerson Good evening, governing board. President Downey, Vice President Coutree, members of the governing board, Dr. Lopeman. I'm Christine Dickinson, the proud principal of Butterfield Elementary School. It is a steam academy and this is an update on our instructional focus for the year. Our focus aligns with the DI district strategic plan. goal one every student graduates or above gra level and a gold standard steam signature program. This steam focus also aligns with all portraits of our portrait of a graduate. All aspects of our portrait of a graduate innovator, communicator, resilient achiever, critical thinker, and principled leader. A little bit of history here. Steam was adopted early on or later on in um the history
028of Butterfield, but most recently in April of 2024, Butterfield received their Cogna certification. So they are accredited, we are accredited in Cognia with a STEM focus which means now that we are two years out and we need to reapply for accreditation. So we are working on that right now and focusing on meaningful integration in all elements of steam. So, we're looking at integration into our tier one instruction instead of any um or all of just a steam time or any instruction for steam going to the lab really focusing on that integration in a classroom setting. And Miss Rusky is here and she's going to speak a little bit about the work that's being done in science right now to support that focus. Our professional development offerings for this year have been um able to give
029our classroom teachers the opportunity to work with our specialists to embed elements of steam into their tier one instruction. Teachers have been given the time to visit other classrooms for instructional rounds and even the opportunities to go to other schools to see some action, some live action and bring back those things to Butterfield. In order to increase our volunteer involvement, we also launched watchd dogs on our campus as well. This has been able to encourage more volunteers to assist as we really do start that transformation of our courtyard into more of a sensory garden. And we're well underway. It's just not quite done yet. We did put another order in earlier this week for even more more and more from our Sprouts grant. Our partnerships this year have been phenomenal. Just to name a few,
030we've got Nissan's Awhees in Motion or AWIM program happening with our fifth graders. The University of Arizona along with some volunteers from Mac Farms has been active. Global Water has visited as well as Lowe's and Sprouts and that's just name to name a few. They've provided guest speakers, volunteers, demonstrations, and even a puppet show for our students, which explores the connections between our standards that they're in being instructed on, and some real world applications. We're implementing math solutions activities, the M in STEAM, math solutions activities daily in each classroom, which helps us to grow our student engagement. and our computer science specialist working alongside our tech integration specialist. They are providing coding instruction and some 3D printing activities as well which the kids absolutely love. Our first steam night was on November 18th and wow
031were we packed. Over 400 Bobcats were there ranging um in prek to fifth grade. We had activities that were that were um steam aligned. We had some engineering activities from fifth grade catapults to even some three little pigs happening in third grade and second grade um with a little fan to see if they could blow theirs over. And you're actually going to see in a couple minutes here with a video a preschooler also modeling that. There was an arts presentation by our third and fourth grade uh students. They did a music performance which was very wellreceived as it was Veterans Day themed. So we had a lot of thank yous from our veterans who felt very honored that we took the time to um acknowledge that we also had a Spalding University for our parents
032in the library by Mrs. Tina Leech, which also stemmed or um launched a few conversations with parents that really didn't know enough about steam or I'm sorry about Spalding to support that at home and signed up for some more information. Got the little mini cards to go home as well. That was that was great to see. I don't want to push the next button because then the video will play. Miss Rusky is here tonight. She is our steam or I'm sorry she's our science specialist. So she is supporting the work that is done during our science lab time but also some of that integration in supporting teachers in their classroom during their tier one instruction. The investment in our steam specialist supports our steam academy focus and ensures that our students are receiving a rigorous
033integrated instruction that is necessary for their future success. She's been instrumental in maintaining our progress towards our reertification and is providing our students with hands-on inquirybased learning in her dedicated lab environment. It's in our library, but she's doing great. Furthermore, this expert has helped us to ensure that there is fidelity using our adopted curriculum, moving science instruction that occasionally happened once or twice in the classroom to a core consistent high impact educational experience for all of our bob all of our Bobcat students will help us towards our reacredititation as well. Miss Rusky sees her classes every six days on our rotation, but is working daily with our classroom teachers to embed our science standards into their everyday instruction. Miss Rusky is going to now introduce what we're going to see in the video. Good evening.
034The video you're about to see is the demonstration of sound waves that was done with our third graders. This physical science. Okay. >> You warned me. This physical science standard asks students to plan and carry out an investigation to explore how sign how sound waves and vibrations affect objects at varying distances. This was done by demonstrating sound waves using both metal and plastic slinkies. Students were asked to predict the number of waves they could create, which slinky would be most effective, and then record the data in their science journals. Trying real world concepts and team collaboration is a large piece of science in our classroom. And of course, having fun. Part of science is steam. And steam, as you know, is science, technology, engineering, art, and math. So today, I want to hear a little
035bit from you. What is steam to you? >> My name is Josie, and I made a magnet house for the the three little pigs. He huffen puffed and he tried to blow the house down. It won't blow over cuz it's made out of magnetiles bricks. >> My favorite thing that we did in science when we builded the bridge. Oh, the slinkies have a lot of sound waves and when you shake when you shake them um they make a lot of sound sound wave together. The lesson itself was um introducing some scientific vocabulary that relates to sound waves. Slinkies create a visual for them to see different types of waves. Sound waves are part of are part of science which is also part of steam. So it's just a visual visually fun way to show the
036kids that they can actually see a sound wave. Whether you take the slinky and move it up or you move it across, they're able to actually count the physical waves that go through the slinky. As a fifth grader at Butterfield Elementary, my classes have always been involved has always involved steam. We don't just read about things, we design and build them. In my coding class, we learn instructions on how to code a specific sprite. And then we use those instructions to put the blocks where the coding needs to go to make the sprite move and do the actions that were said in the instructions. Awesome. Utilizing Navi this year has given us the opportunity to use a standard formative assessment platform that directly aligns with to our AASA assessments. In order to collect the data
037that will inform our everyday instruction, we're using our Navi CFAs and we're reflecting on that data after a con concept has been taught. The data that you're seeing here shows three essential standards that were taught during the first and second quarters of fourth grade math. After teaching this content, teachers then administer a short assessment in the Nav'i platform to gauge student understanding of the standard. For the first standards shown here, the assessment was given on August 4th. So, the teachers had just finished teaching the concept for the first time for these fourth graders after learning about the base 10. Uh the standard is 4 NBTA1 which is recognizing that a hold a multi-digit number um has a place value and the place value to its right represents 10 times what it represents to the other
038digit. You can see here that we had a 12% growth with this standard from August to November. The second standard that you're seeing here 40 O A2 asks students to multiply and divide within a thousand including word problems. And after retach and small groupoup instruction, we also improved 12% there as well. The third graph that you're seeing there, the standard is 4 NBT5, which is multiplying whole digit numbers up to four digits by one or two-digit numbers as well using area models. While mastery of the standard fell 9% from the first to second assessments, we're confident that through our reteing and small groupoup instruction with hands-on modeling, we will see the standards mastery grow. Navi has been utilized in every single one of our classrooms this year. It's gauging our student understanding of taught concepts
039and informing our instruction. We review the data weekly in our PLTS and make a plan for retteing these standards. We're able to reassess throughout the year to continue to gauge our progress towards mastery. We've recently invested in an ancillary resource that will assist us in spiral review of concepts so that we don't see the regression that we have been seeing with taught standards. We don't want any of that knowledge lost this year. We're halfway done, right? Our next steps include PD sessions for third and fourth quarter that center around the difference between embedding steam and simply project-based learning. We're also going to be utilizing our Navi science resources to help us drive our science instruction. We're exploring investments in Kagan professional development for our teachers as well as purchasing ancillary materials such as mountain math
040that will help us spiral review. We're hopeful that we're also able to pilot project lead the way. We're well underway into our reertification process with support from Cognia as well as our district office and every day we work to stren build and strengthen our systems. Our motto for the year is to keep it simple with simple being an acronym. The S stands for systems in our acronym. At this time, I welcome any questions or reflections you might have. There's got to be questions. Come on. Patty's up first. Pres Vice President Coutree, you've got this. >> It was impressive and I I love seeing the data, you know. I love to see the data and that was fourth grade. Is this always is this being implemented at every grade >> and are you seeing the same
041type of growth >> and challenges? >> Challenges for sure. What we're really really excited about is that Nav'i is directly assigned with AASA. So we have a we have a peak into what this what our assessment's going to look like in the spring. So, it's real time application that our parent or teachers are allowed to see what that assessment is. It's usually five or six questions and they're able to monitor the level of rigor that that question has and take that back to their instruction. Okay, I taught this, but I didn't take teach it to that level that is needed for it to be applied on this test. So, we're seeing um it the common formative assessments are being used in every in every grade level. Absolutely. Um and Nav'i has been extremely impactful in
042those data conversations that we're having on Thursdays. >> And these assessments, they're done with the classes forms of tests. Correct. >> Say that again. I'm sorry. >> It's the assessments how you how you determine whether or not they're they're learning and retaining that. >> Absolutely. So, it's like what we would consider back in back in my the um a unit test, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Chapter test. >> Are we doing a lot of that? I mean, that was one of the things that I remember years ago that um that was a struggle with teachers is they felt like they were just always teaching to a test and not teaching the material. So, I think that we're doing a really good job of using our Navi to inform our instruction. Meaning, we're unpacking what Nav'i
043is going to ask us so that we can inform the depth of complexity that we're going to teach the standard to. I will tell you, it's helping us stay focused with our curriculum maps and that pacing guide that we are provided with. So, it's keeping us on focus and it's allowing us to assess in real time instead of having to wait until any surprises that might come our way in April. >> Okay. I'm anxious to see um those that data. >> We are too. >> You know, >> we are too. >> Phenomenal team. They're doing some really really hard work and we're we're really happy. We're really glad to have everybody at the table for our PLTS. >> Well, and I and I got to give you kudos. um that list of uh community partners
044that Butterfield works with is amazing and it really does, you know, it does take a village to raise a kid and to educate a child and so I love the fact that you have that reaching out and how that all fits into the steam that you're the steam concept that you have at Butterfield. So, great job. >> We're going beyond career day. >> I know. I know. >> Bring your career to us, ladies and gentlemen. We will we will give you an assembly >> one grade level at a time. There's a lot of kids. One grade level at a time. >> And I'm going to try to make your next steam night. >> Yeah. >> Okay. January 24th. >> Lisa will have it. >> Lisa will put it on the count. What is your backup
045plan for the students that don't >> reach those those benchmarks or the the depth at what you're >> you know what you're needing them to be at. What's what's the plan? What are you doing for those? >> So ask any of the hundred plus staff on Butterfield Elementary's campus this and they're going to say Christine expects us to do small group. Christine expects us to do small group. Um, small groupoup instruction is how we're reaching these kids where we're eliminating some other distractors. We're pulling small group. We're using our intervention tools. Um, we are really really blessed to have a reading interventionist this year, a full-time reading interventionist um who is working with those those kiddos for our ELA side of the house. But we are expecting small group in every classroom for both math
046and and reading. >> It it is working. It it's been it's been a teachable moment. It is a shift. It is a mind shift. And we are building the plane while flying it. Um but it's landing safely without one. I'm glad you guys are laughing because I am nervous. >> Impressive uh presentation. Very exciting and congratulations. Um you mentioned uh the accreditation. So any concerns um that you won't be uh reertified or gain that accreditation? >> No. From what I understand from the process, this is my first accreditation, my first hat. I have a lot of support from the district office. So there's been a lot of hands helping and guiding along the way. I'm really lucky to have the previous principal who did the work as a as a coach to to help. any
047questions I have, I'm like, "Hey, network." Um, and they've been very receptive as well. There's a lot of feedback along the way. Um, if anything, it's a, hey, let's look at strengthening this system. And it's it's very coachable. It's more it's more of a coaching session than it is a grade card for me at this point at this point. But I'm learning a lot. It's a whole new process. >> Thank you. >> All right, Mrs. Dickinson, >> Mr. Owens. >> Uh, so an observation and a question. >> Sure. >> Observation. I love that the Watchdog has been implemented. Um, you know, that holds a kind of a special place in my heart. So, um, two questions actually. How is that going? >> It could be better. However, here's the thing. It stands for dads of
048great kids. We have an amazing We have an amazing community of volunteers that have hopped right in. So, a lot there has been some hesitation of I'm not a dad, can I? Absolutely. Absolutely. So, we can get we'll get better. We'll get better as we keep going. >> Yep. >> We're really happy to have it because it is a structured program that gives um it's more than just a classroom volunteer. >> Yeah, absolutely. I was really helping my brother's school does it too. My my niece's school. He was like, I'm gonna go via watchdog. And I was like, what? Like people's feel like you started something here. >> Awesome. Uh, so the question that I have for you or the second question is about Nav'i. You brought that up a few times and how that's
049informing helping to inform the the depth of the teaching. So the what I'm wondering is are you seeing that teachers are holy cow I haven't been teaching >> yes >> deep enough on this or are you seeing the teachers are hey I can I don't need to teach to the depth that I have been teaching and providing too much content >> so Nav'i absolutely has helped us um bring to the forefront the term essential standard The reason it is assessed, the reason it is so highlighted and so emphasized in our curriculum maps is because it is essential for learning. And teachers taking that document that is a Google doc and then looking at the Nav'i assessment and taking their resources from their adopted curriculum and then looking at some supplementals. That's planning. That is that's
050an art that has been having that has had to take place so that everyone is realizing where we need to be focusing and where is this is going to come as time progresses. So yes it's helping drive the instruction. >> Good deal. Thank you. >> Please. Yeah. Do you find our teachers have the tools to be able to do that like or are they or are you finding that that you need some additional training? So, we have invested at our campus. Um, Miss Carpenter is our our assistant, our TOSA. Um, and Miss Carpenter and I when we left the classroom, we didn't have adopted curriculum. We had standards. This was feels like ages ago. Um, and we did have to use our resources and grab. So, we had those conversations at PLTS. We start with
051the standards, guys. Now let's look at what all of our resources are because we have resources. We have so many resources. We have everything. We have we have a lot of on and co brought the online resources to reality. But nothing's ever going to replace high quality instruction. So it's sitting down and looking at the depth that they need to to teach. And that's here. That's the that's the people. Additional professional development has come with our mass solutions integration um implementation and adoption and that's been well attended and the gamification of math is back and the the engagement is there and that's an investment that the district level has made and our teachers are wholeheartedly bought into that. So yes, there's been additional PD You know, having tools and money are important, but the most
052important thing, as you were just reflecting, is the people. >> And I have to say, I'm impressed. I wrote down some words as you were speaking and you were speaking. And I hope it's propagating not just throughout your school, but throughout the district. I heard passion. I heard openness, honesty, and keeping things real. And if we do that and do our best and the board, I'm sure will support you. I'm sure the district will support you, you can't help but being successful to the right people with the right attitudes. So I hope what you're reflecting is propagating, as I say, not just throughout your school into your teachers and your administration, but also throughout the district. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments? Thank you. Uh Lisa, I don't have
053any cards. No cards. So we can skip um item seven, call to the public. We now move on to item eight, consent agenda. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> At least we have a motion to second. >> Shante Rothschild. >> I. >> Ben Owens. >> I. >> Carolyn Lopez. >> Hi. >> Patty Catra. >> Hi. >> Robert Downey. >> I so moved. We now move on to item eight cons. Uh sorry, item nine. action item specifically 9A discussion and possible approval of the personnel schedule. Mr. Beckett. >> Thank you, President Downey, members of the governing board, and Dr. Lman. I have the personnel schedule in front of you tonight. Be happy to address any of your questions at this point. >> I know y'all looking at me. >> Uh, Mr. Becket, believe it or
054not, I don't really have any questions, but I do have a comment. It's nice to see that. um well nice and not nice because these people are taking advantage of the ESI but that means they are going to retire from our district one day and they are amazing people. Um and I've actually had the pleasure of working with a couple of them. So um anybody have any questions? I'll make a motion that we approved >> this item. >> I'll second lease. We have a motion to second. >> Shante Rosschild. >> Hi. >> Ben Owens. >> Hi. >> Carolyn Lopez. >> Hi. Patty Catra >> I. >> Robert Downey. >> I so moved. Thank you, Mr. Becket. Now move on to item 9B, discussion and possible approval of fiscal year 2026 December budget. Mr. Harmon. >>
055Thank you, President Downey, members of the board. Dr. Lopeman, you have the item in front of you. Uh we presented on this during the public public hearing and this is to formally um approve the revision to our budget. Can you just remind me what UCO stands for and CSF? I know M, but what are the other two? >> Yeah. So, our main three funds, so maintenance and operations, unrestricted capital outlay, that's another name for, you know, our capital budget. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I know there's a lot, we've there's a lot of acronyms. There is a CSF is the classroom site fund. Thank you. >> Those three funds are based on the fun formula. So those are based on student counts. >> There's no questions or comments. I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second.
056>> Le have a motion to second. >> Shante Rosschild. >> I. >> Ben Owens. >> Hi. >> Carolyn Lopez. >> I. >> Patty Catra. >> I. >> Robert Downey. >> I. So moved. We now move on to item 9 C. Discussion and possible approval of CMR RFQ 251056 owner initiated change order. Mr. Harmon. >> Thank you, President Downey and members of the board. Uh last board meeting uh we presented on expanding the scope of our workforce development project at Maricopa High School to extend to the uh the old gym and add the ed professions space there. This owner initiated change order allows us to make a change to our board approved um RFQ for construction manager at risk which is our method of procurement for this project. Since we haven't reached a GMP or a
057guaranteed maximum price, we're able to expand the scope and um authorize our contractor and architects to expand that scope moving to a GMP to the new scope. So this uh this action will allow that process to take place. I make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Lisa, we have a motion to second. >> Shante Rothschild. >> I. >> Ben Owens. >> Hi. >> Carolyn Lopez. >> Hi. >> Patty Catra. >> I. >> Robert Downey. >> I. So moved. Thank you, Mr. Harmon. And I move on 9D. Discussion and possible approval of superintendent bound boundary commission recommendation. Miss Pastor. >> Good evening. President Downey, Dr. Lman, board members and guests, as a reminder, uh, in the month of November, we held a work study and looked at reviewed proposed boundary adjustments for the 2627 school
058year, including boundaries for the new K8. Um, you see the map here that shows those adjustments. Uh, President Downey, I I turn it over to the board for any discussion. Um, just want to clarify, um, we're not going to be we shouldn't be having another boundary adjustment in a couple years or something because it that's one thing that that the board has been very solid on is we want to minimize disruptions to changing schools and that kind of thing. So there's there's some planning um in this if other school sites come on. You know, we're talking uh down southwest of town potentially. Um but that wouldn't that wouldn't be impacting the new K8, right? >> Yes. That was one of the guiding principles of the boundary committee was that um we we held high that
059principle that we wanted to avoid situations where families would be impacted and forced to move um twice in a in a short span like that. So yes, we have taken that taken care of that. >> Great. Thank you. >> And this is kind of a a weird question. You may not know the answer to it, but um and I and I know that you've worked very closely with the transportation. How many increased routes are we going to have based on these um based on this new boundary? >> Yeah, that is a question that I don't know, but I do know that we have the capacity. >> Okay. and he was very present and very involved um from the beginning of our boundary committee work up until very recent um boundaries helping to make sure that
060what goes up on our website is going to be golden. >> Okay. >> Yep. Thank you. >> There's no other questions or comments. I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Le have a motion to second. >> Shante Rothschild. I >> Ben Owens. >> Hi >> Carolyn Lopez. >> Hi >> Patty Catra. >> I >> Robert Downey. >> I so moved. We now move on to item 9E. Discussion and possible approval of administration recommendation for the name of the new K8 school. Miss Pastor. >> Thank you President Downey. So also in November we had a work study um where we reviewed the process and input that was gathered for the naming of our first K8. I'd like to show a short video now that highlights this work. What's in a name? First, we started
061with the survey results and looking at all the results from community, parents, staff members, and started to look at trends on what people wanted as a name, >> the naming of this great K8 school, which is pretty exciting for our Maroba community. we were honoring kind of the past of Maricopa and what is bringing Maricopa people to Maricopa, that small town feel, but also um capturing some of those new ideas and innovative ideas as we are choosing a name. Trying to make sure that we honored what our city voters decided and suggested through a survey. how the community comes together and really thinks about what our city or Maricopa is about and they really focus on that to put it towards the name of the school. Part of the naming committee was really a great
062experience to talk about the opportunities that are going to be available in this school and then also the collaboration of all of the different groups and people who came together to help propose a name and to create the future of this school. I think is a huge idea and the fact that the community had a voice in this new school is really fascinating and everyone listened to everyone's opinion and I think we came up with some great ideas. What was really cool actually was that as we were talking they were drawing everything in the background and illustrating what we were talking about but I wasn't expecting like a full-on mural which is really cool. one picture that could capture a whole conversation and everyone's ideas were included. And the names that we chose and that
063were recommending to the board are two names that the committee really dug deep to the meaning behind it and what it represented. And I was really excited cuz it took all the things that I remember when I was going to school that I loved the most. So, I'm really excited about the new K8 school that NUSD is building. And so with that, the administrative recommendation is to name the new K8 on the Feral Innovation Academy. President Downey, I turn it over to the board. >> I suppose you know what works. Just speak up. >> So um I would like to recognize we have some very special guests in our audience. We have the family of Alma Frell. We have her son Edward, his two children, Luke and Sila. And then we have her daughter Jocelyn,
064and her son Go. So, I want to thank you all for being here. Um, obviously, this means a tremendous amount to me, as I'm sure it does to you, too. So, thank you for being here. >> Thank you, member for Vice President Cout for recognizing. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, I I love all of the name except for the last word. Um, I I have reservations about academy and specifically um I know a lot of charter schools use the word academy and a lot of um the high-risk trouble kids schools use academy as a word uh in their titles. And so I think that there's better words that we could use. Um, innovation collective, anything else. I'm I'm I'm just hesitant on that. I don't want to be associated with anything um negative, abusive in
065any way. And right now, especially right now in the last couple years and a couple years going forward, uh if anybody's aware, there's legislation trying to prevent and put boundaries on thesemies um and more documentaries coming out about it. And so I just um I have an association with that and I I'm I'm just put off that we put academy at the end. So that's all. Miss Pastor, may I ask a question? Um, I'm assuming that we obviously are going to have another K through8 school eventually because that's in our plan. Um, the Innovation Academy, we're using that as a branding. Am I understanding that correctly? So, the next school would also be an innovation academy. I don't think it I think it's premature to define that. We know that the structure the grade level
066structure is the same and we also know we have a great model. We're we're we're um forecasting a great model and if there are pieces and parts that should be replicated that will that will become clear at that time. Okay. So, I hadn't thought about the academy piece before board member uh Lopez mentioned it. Um but with that, can you share a little bit about why the word academy was selected? What was the the thought process behind that? >> Um you know, so we looked at a couple of things. We started by looking at um words and phrases that were most prevalent in our survey. Our survey had a good number of participants from staff, students, community members and uh academy was a word that came up um with great frequency. I don't have the
067number in front of me, but of course the most frequent um phrase or two-word combo was alma um different uh iterations of that was definitely most present. Um and something that came forward and so that conversation continued amongst the community members and um academy was something that was consistent in the conversations through the evening. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. Can I you know I'm a I'm a even though it's my last meeting I'm still the person of educating the community and these processes. Can someone and it might be you, it could be somebody from the family or even sounds like member of Curte. Could you tell the community why Al Farrell her importance not only to the school district but also Maricopa at large? >> You know, um there it was it was almost emotional
068as community members spoke about the significance of that name. And one of my favorite parts of the evening was so you saw in the video that there was a second grader that participated that night and she needed some help with some words from academy to innovation to all sorts of things. But um her mom was there and being a part of those conversations about what that meant. We had quite a bit of conversation about knowing that many students, young students are going to start a school not being familiar with the legacy of Al Farrell. Not being familiar with um the the story uh the rich story of what she brought not only to Maricopa Unified but to the city of Maricopa. And there was a great deal of um pride and excitement about being able
069to tell that story. And I know that Miss Allison will take that and think of creative ways to make sure that that becomes um more than just a name, but rather something that students learn amongst the many other things that that they'll be learning. I would add also I I was a a bystander in the naming committee, but um part of the um just um appropriateness of al the name Alma Ferrell is what what she and her name represents. Certainly the past and the history of Maricopa is evident everywhere. Um certainly for people who've been here much longer than me, but it's it's she's she's just part of the fabric. Uh you know, the weather, the the geography, the streets, the sky. She's part of she's part of Maricopa, but uh also um and having
070the term innovation also is representative of Alma because she was the superintendent. She was a female superintendent long before it was common for a female to be a superintendent. And that's innovative, that's revolutionary, that's forward thinking. Um, so that representation and that symbolism of being able to represent both the past and the future and innovation and competence and capability and really boundless possibility I think for kids is so it's just it just fit so well and was very much a part of the conversation and you could see in the video we had people who know Maricopa and we had some new folks too so it just resonated with with the group. It was it was really um quite a proud quite a proud moment. >> Elma Frell, even after she left um the superintendent's office,
071she was always the biggest uh champion of Maricopa Unified School District. Always. And I I remember when our board at the time was chosen to be the board of the year with ASBA and Alma was so very proud. She happened to be there at the conference when we received the award and she just lit up and it was like this was her baby and she was so very proud of us. Um, and she was always our biggest fan, always our biggest champion, and I think this is a very fitting way to honor her. Um, and I if there's no other questions or discussions, >> can I just make one other comment? >> I don't want to take away from what you and Dr. Lopeman and Mr. Just let that sit for a minute. >> Um,
072but because it's more technical. Um in general whenever you look around um academy is typically used for schools that adopt a mixed blend model compared to the old. So it's like a K through eight or a 6 through 12 because they're taking an elementary, middle, and high school and nomally at least merging two of those together if not all three. They tend to use academy. Um, I was going to say four of our grandkids go to an academy up in town, but it's actually three of them now because one of them's moved to high school and two of them, the two youngest will go to the same academy as the other three. Um, so I I understand some reservations, but that's and since we're merging effectively elementary and middle school here, it seems to me
073to be appropriate to use that term because it is now more generically recognized as being that blended model. Not always, but typically that blended model. And it I would also add that it may be appropriate once we we have a name um that there's a need for some additional um verbiage on perhaps a marquee to designate uh that it is a K8 school. So on the federal innovation academy doesn't specifically say K8 but in some places on letterhead for example um we we may want to accentuate that because is different. It isn't something that we have in the other space. >> Can I just add I I that's the only I'm not saying this isn't going to be the fight that I lay down. Trust me, I we're I'm okay. I just know other things
074about that particular name when it comes to schools nationwide, right? And I just don't want us to have any kind of, >> you know, somebody Googles us, they're moving here from Chicago or Maine. I don't want them to to to link us to that type. So something else with it, whether it's on the school and below it says K8 or on letterhead, I'm I'm good with that. This is not the fight I would lay down my life for. I just wanted to bring it up, right? I just want to make people aware and and that we are not that and we are not a charter school. We are a great public school um district and and this is going to be a fabulous school and and nothing against um Alma Ferrell at all. I love
075that name. Uh it was just this piece of it that I just wanted to be open and honest with our public that I I am triggered over that word, but I have a history with that word. And so, um just wanted to bring it up. Thank you. Um, so just I want to acknowledge what you're what you're saying uh about the word academy. So as we've been sitting here listening, right? Um I did a Google search and unfortunately I didn't find a lot of >> Google >> synonyms for academy. >> Oh no, you have to put uh troubled kids and then you will see the whole list. >> Okay. Well, I I I just did synonyms for academy. So, just to try to come up with something that was >> uh Okay. I didn't think
076of that. Um there was comparable to academy, right? And >> what what came up a lot of times was surrounding like a prep academy >> or prep school or something like that. So um I I agree with you that and Miss Pastor, you know, making a designation on, you know, a K8 school or focus or something. Um, so Mr. Couture, knock it out. >> All right. >> Second. >> I would like to motion that we name our new K through8 school the Alma Ferrell Innovation Academy. >> I will second that. >> Lee, we have a motion to second. >> Shante Rothschild. >> I. Ben Owens. >> Hi. >> Carolyn Lopez. I Patty Coutrey. >> I Robert Downey. >> I so moved. >> Let's give it up for now. Move on to item 9A F. approved
077to adjourn to executive session pursuant to ARS 3843103A1 for discussion and consideration of the superintendent's evaluation. Um should the superintendent advise the board that she wants to discuss the matter in open session? It will occur in open session. Dr. Lman, we need a motion and a second to then um adjourn to um executive session. >> So motion to adjurnn. >> I'll second motion to second. >> Shante Rothschild. I >> Ben Owens. >> Hi, >> Carolyn Lopez. >> Hi, >> Patty Catra. >> Hi, >> Robert Downey. >> I so moved. >> We're now agenda executive session. Um, I have to say I have no idea how long we could be. It could be a couple of minutes or a couple of hours. You're willing to stay if you want, but the only other action item after
078this is to adjourn the the formal meeting. So, thank you all.