001Before the flag of the United States of America and before the republic it represents. One nation under God, indivisible, with freedom and justice for all. Please take a seat. Very good. The first item is the discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the board meeting of Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Proposed. First, do I have a second motion? Second. Is everyone in favor? Yes. Very good. Construction update. Amber Bordis and David Wheeler. Good evening, President Davis, members of the board of directors. Tonight, we'll be providing a brief update on current construction and facility projects across the district. As our community continues to grow, our goal is to ensure we plan responsibly, maximize available funds, and maintain facilities that support our students, staff, and families. Before reviewing the individual projects, I want to relate this
002work to the district's strategic plan. Our building and facilities planning directly supports several of our priority areas, particularly the creation of safe and healthy environments and the maintenance of effective operations and systems. Our responsibility is not simply to build or improve facilities, but to make thoughtful investments that support student learning, safety, operational efficiency, and the long-term needs of our growing community. The Queen Creek Unified School District covers approximately 48 square miles, serves about 15,600 students, and is organized into three regions. This geographical footprint includes the village of Queen Creek and part of the city of Mesa, or what we like to call the Eastmark area. Queen Creek continues to experience growth throughout our community. Therefore, thoughtful facility planning remains an important part of supporting our schools and our students. With that summary, I'll give the
003floor to David to review our current projects at Chrisman High School, the progress being made, and what we have planned for the future. Good evening, President Davis, board members, Dr. Barry. It is a pleasure for me to give you this construction update. Currently at Chrisman High School , we have the north parking lot service road under construction . The earthworks are in preliminary leveling. Curbs have been installed in preparation for the base layers. The expected completion date is October 30th and this is a project funded by the SFD. Also at Chrisman High School is the remediation of the main football field. The entire field was covered with new turf after it failed to grow following the drainage project, replacing areas that needed support. The field is scheduled to be ready for play on September 11th
004and this is a guaranteed project. Possible future projects with our partners in the school facilities division through BRG roofing. We have requests for BRG roofing projects; BRGs are grants for building renovation. Formal applications have been submitted for funding for essential roof improvements at these selected school buildings . Desert Mountain, Francis Brandon Picket, Jack Barnes, Queen Creek Elementary, New Barney College Prep, Queen Creek Junior High School and Queen Creek High School. And board members, just a reminder about the approval basis with the SFD. So these applications have already been submitted and are ready to be reviewed by the SFD. We anticipate that their review of our applications will take place within the next two months, according to their timeline. We have continued to share this, but BRG funds are limited in the state of Arizona. They
005currently have a great need in all school districts and a limited amount of funding this year set by the state. So all our applications have been submitted and we believe they should be approved. We are awaiting its approval and hope to have good news in the coming months. Any questions? Very good. Thank you. This brings us to our superintendent's report. Dr. Barry, hello, President Davis, board members, community members, thank you for being here. Tonight I've changed the format of my report and, instead of giving you a list, I prefer to talk about the big things happening in the district. There are many things happening. I just want to tell you about some of the highlights and the behind-the-scenes work that led to those great events. And I'd like to highlight, um, some students at the
006beginning of this. And I want to highlight an outstanding example of academic excellence from a group of students who achieved a perfect score on the AP exams. The highest possible grade a student can achieve. We had 41 students at Queen Creek High School, 41 students at Chrisman High School, and 34 students at Eastark High School . That makes a total of 116 students with perfect scores on their AP exams. Let's give them a big round of applause. And what I want to highlight and comment on a little is that these AP grades, as you probably know, now become college credits. And they represent students who do a couple of things. First, they are very talented students, and second, they work extremely hard and stay focused on their academic workload. These ratings do not appear automatically.
007They are talented students who have a strong work ethic. So, uh, we asked some of these students how they prepared for the exam, how much time they spent preparing, and how their parents supported them in achieving these perfect scores. And here are some of the answers I thought you would appreciate. One student said it was at least three hours a day in the weeks leading up to the exam, in addition to all the normal schoolwork. The time spent in class, two hours a day, every night, while they were at home. Another student mentions timed writing exercises in class, learning paragraph structure, learning to write the thesis from scratch, and reading many books that he could reference on the exam. And when it comes to parental support , one of them said, "I made sure they
008were aware of his work." That's the sign of a good father. They are always looking out for the student. Another one, uh, one of my favorites said: "Um, they buy me Chipotle to keep me organized and motivated." And I guess it's working. So now I'd like to change the subject and highlight one of our outstanding staff members, Mr. Kyle Olsen of Queen Creek High School, who was recently named AIA AAA Middle School Athletic Director of the Year . Um, this award is very well deserved and I also want the community to understand not only the award, but the complexity of Kyle's work . Not only Kyle's job as athletic director, but the other roles he plays at this school, and this applies to all of our athletic directors, but our athletic directors essentially serve as
009assistant directors in addition to being athletic directors. Kyle has a variety of responsibilities, to name a few. He performs evaluations. He is in charge of discipline. He manages the master schedule. Athletic directors work extremely long hours preparing for games, teardown, scheduling, supervision, coordinating game officials, and much more. Kyle is a tireless worker who goes the extra mile to create opportunities, build culture, set expectations, and make sure students know that character matters just as much as the scoreboard. Mr. Olsen represents the type of exceptional staff we want throughout our district. People who understand that every interaction with a student is an opportunity to make an impact. Let's give Kyle Olsen a big round of applause. Next, I want to highlight a successful board decision that made an impact on students within our district. It was on
010July 7th at a board meeting. I think we had a somewhat limited group. I think we had three or four board members here that night. Ms. Jessica Johnson presented our budget and our board approved it for the school year. Now, to the community, at first glance, it may seem that they approved a series of numbers on a spreadsheet. However, these numbers represent much more than that. They directly impact the students and families we serve every day. And I want to talk a little bit about that. Your vote was an investment in our classrooms. That investment allowed Queen Creek to pay for items such as, among others, instructional aides for K-3, improving security and safety personnel, maintaining manageable and quality class sizes, something we all work hard for for all our students, and our ability to
011add teachers throughout our district. That vote secured the funding for those opportunities. These investments matter because, ultimately , they affect what happens between a teacher and a student every day. So, when we talk about the budget, it's important to understand that this budget supports the priorities within our strategic plan that were endorsed by all members of our community. If you think about the priorities that actually emerged with the approval of thousands of contributions from our community, this is a classic example of how your work as a board member translates into district investments, classroom impact, and student success. And I'd like to give our board a big round of applause for that budget. Now, let's talk about some numbers from across the district. Number one, top national rating. Queen Creek FFA earned the highest national chapter
012rating available through the FFA. Only 475 chapters nationwide received that distinction. This is an impressive achievement, but what matters most is what lies behind it. Our students are not just learning about agriculture. They are developing leadership skills, managing projects, solving problems, communicating, and preparing to compete at the highest levels. This is what student success looks like inside Queen Creek. Giving students opportunities to discover what they are good at and then providing the programs and people that help them excel. The next set of numbers are 44 and 55 at Eastmark High School. For the first time, Eastmark High School has earned a place in the US News and World Report rankings of the best high schools , ranking 44th out of approximately 500 Phoenix-area high schools. 500 high schools in the Phoenix area and 55th out
013of nearly 1400 high schools across Arizona. That places Eastmark among the top- performing high schools in the state and is an impressive milestone for a school that continues to grow and establish itself as one of Arizona's most outstanding high schools. Congratulations , Esmore. One of our district's priorities in the strategic plan is effective partnerships, and we have seen several excellent examples recently. I want to share just a few. East Mark High School welcomed the Universal Technical Institute to its campus, giving students the opportunity to learn about post-secondary career paths and practical technical training. We also welcomed local leaders to our business partner breakfast and were able to connect schools with businesses and organizations that help support our students. These are some of the partnerships that matter because educating students is not something schools can do
014alone. It requires an entire community. And finally tonight, I want to take you inside another amazing Queen Creek show . And they just saw them in action tonight. Some of the students in our JROTC programs continue to grow, and thanks to the budget approved by this board, we were able to expand opportunities for these students. And with the anniversary of September 11 approaching, this is also an important opportunity to hear directly from young people learning about leadership, service, citizenship, and responsibility . Let's watch this video together. I am Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln Brown and I am the commander of the Creek Bulldog Battalion. Hello, I'm Cadet Captain Kate Durgens and I'm S4 of the battalion. Hello, I am Commanding Sergeant Major Cadet Cooper Stra and I am the Commanding Sergeant Major of the Battalion. At this
015moment, we would like to pause for the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the day that changed our nation forever. The table of the absent man that you see is a small table in a place of honor. It's ready for one. This table is our way of symbolizing that many are missing among us on this solemn anniversary. The red rose and the red ribbon honor their lives and the hope of their return. The lemon marks its bitter destiny. Salt represents the tears of loved ones. The candle shows our light of hope. The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain us and those who were lost on this terrible day. The inverted glass symbolizes his inability to share a toast. The chair remains empty, but they will never be forgotten. 25 years ago, our
016country witnessed an act of terrorism that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent people. Behind each of those lives was a family, a friend, a co- worker, and a community that changed forever. We remember the firefighters , police officers, emergency medical personnel and other first responders who ran towards danger while others tried to escape it. We remember the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who showed extraordinary courage in the face of unimaginable circumstances. We remember the service members who answered the call in the days, months, and years that followed, and the sacrifices made by our armed forces and their families. As JROTC cadets, we are taught that leadership is more than rank, uniform, or recognition. Leadership is a service. It is having the courage to do the right thing, to put others before ourselves, and
017to unite when our nation needs us. Today we honor those we lost, those who serve, and those who continue to protect our nation. We will never forget. Can we please acknowledge all the cadets and their leaders tonight ? Please stand to be recognized. That concludes my superintendent's report . I just wanted to add something quickly. This program is a direct reflection of everyone who voted for the additional budget, because those funds allowed us to keep our JROTC programs running. So, thank you so much to our community for considering this very important, because I know we all do. So, thank you. Brilliant. Great, that brings us to our employees and our student of the month. The reason most of you are probably here tonight. So we'll move forward and start with the employees first. The "Power
018of One" awards are presented during the board meeting each month to the selected students from each school . The award recognizes an employee who has demonstrated exceptional qualities, dedication, and commitment to making a significant difference in our Queen Creek schools. We would like to recognize the following individuals from Queen Creek Elementary School . Please come to the front of the room when your name is called. And I apologize if I mispronounce someone's name tonight. Rama Mamadi Mamidi, Matt Rudco, Anna Lee Weiss, and Tia Oart. Now we would like to invite Director Don Michaelelsson to say a few words about these people and how they were selected. Helen once said, "Alone we can do very little. Together we can do a lot." Good night. Tonight we celebrate the power of one at Queen Creek Elementary School.
019We have selected four people to represent what it truly means to make a difference. Each of these people reminds us that one person can make a difference. A kind word, a helping hand, an extra effort, a person who decides to step forward. But true power emerges when those individual efforts come together. A teacher inspires a student. A paraprofessional provides encouragement and support. A volunteer gives their time and energy. A member of the district team helps provide the resources and support that allow our school to thrive. Each person plays a different role, but together they create something much bigger than any one of them could create alone. Tonight we recognize four people who demonstrate that power every day. Thank you for being the one who makes a difference and for reminding us all that when we
020work together, the possibilities are limitless. Congratulations to the recipients of the "Power of One" award from Queen Creek Primary School and thank you for all you do. Thank you. If you can go to the back of the hall, we'll take pictures in a minute. Very good. Now, we would like to invite the following people selected by Schnef Primary School. Laura Brewer, Tamara Karns, Anika Dukes, and Jacqueline Clark. We would like to invite Director Shannon Fuller Wright to come up and say a few words about these people and how they were selected. Good night. It is an honor to recognize the people who make a significant difference in the lives of our students, families, and staff. In a primary school, that difference is often found in a simple, everyday moment. Our teacher, administrative staff member, volunteer,
021and district coach demonstrate kindness, respect, and integrity in the way they serve others. Although their roles are different, they share a commitment to prioritizing people, creating an environment where children feel safe, valued, encouraged, and supported. They help children gain confidence, learn from challenges, celebrate successes, and understand the importance of how we treat others. Today we celebrate these people through the "Power of One" award. They make a difference every day. They remind us that even the smallest act of kindness can have a lasting impact on a child's life. I would like to thank each and every one of you for everything you do. They inspire me and make a big difference to our students. Thank you. If you could also go to the back of the hall, we'll take pictures there. Very good. Next up, our
022students of the month. The Student of the Month award recognizes and celebrates the success of QCUSD students. Winners are selected based on positive traits identified through our PBIS program, including being kind, being respectful, and demonstrating integrity. These students are conscientious, show determination to learn, and consistently demonstrate these positive qualities in their daily interactions with others. We would like to invite the following students from Queen Creek and Schnef Primary Schools to be recognized for these outstanding characteristics. Olivia Forson from Queen Creek Elementary School, Karsten Mlelen from Queen Creek Elementary School, Sage Highland from Schnef Elementary School, and Grayson Williams from Schnef Elementary School. Congratulations to all of you. Thank you for being such good role models for our students on campus every day. We would like to invite you to the back of the hall to
023take photos. We'll take a short break to take photos and then we'll be right back. Very good. Marvelous. We don't have any blue cards for audience comments tonight. So that brings us to our consent agenda. I need a motion. I propose, I propose our consent agenda in its entirety, with the exception of, sorry, Jen. It's 6:06. I'm going to refer to Jen Revolt. OK. I propose that we approve the consent agenda with the exception of 6.06. Perfect. We have a first motion. We have a second one. Is everyone in favor? Yes. Very good. That brings us to point 6.06 of the consent agenda. possible action to approve policy updates. Hey, Dr. Barry. 6.06. Yes. During the study session, we presented 15 policies and a set of associated procedures, and this was one that we decided
024to postpone for further analysis. It's not that we're against it , but we wanted to get guidance from the board on the types of programs that would be allowed on our campuses. Very good. Version 6.06 includes all policies and procedures, including the one that may be postponed. So, can I get a motion? I propose approving 6.06 with the exception of 5-201 to obtain further clarification on external groups allowed on campus. Second. First and second. Is everyone in favor? Yes, yes. Very good. Next, a possible resolution to approve the purchase of food and beverages will be adopted. Oh, no. I'm sorry. Sorry, guys. This is all a bit of a mess. Good. Now we will move on to the action points. Discussion and possible action to approve the Arizona School Facilities Board's preventive maintenance plan .
025Amber Bordis. President Davis, members of the board of directors, the district's preventative maintenance plan must be submitted to the school facilities division every September . The plan gives the district an opportunity to demonstrate how preventative maintenance expectations are being met to support continued eligibility for building renovation grant funds. The district regularly performs preventative maintenance on equipment and complies with the SFD. New this year, the SFD requires districts to provide a five-year projection of anticipated BRG project submissions. In addition, the district's preventive maintenance plan is required to be formally approved by the board of directors . Following board approval, the district will submit the approved maintenance plan, board resolution, and five-year BRG projection to the SFD to meet annual requirements. We recommend its approval. Excellent. Any questions? Not very well. I may receive a motion. I
026propose approving the Arizona school board's preventative maintenance plan . First, do I have a second one? Any discussion? Everyone in favor? In favor. In favor. Very good. Staff. I can accept it in full. I propose accepting the entire staff. Second. First and second. Is everyone in favor? In favor. In favor. Very good. Advertisements. Upcoming board meetings. Tuesday, October 13. Tuesday, November 10. Tuesday, December 8. Events calendar. Thursday, September 17th, we have our 2026 coffee. From September 23rd to 25th, um, early dismissal at all schools. From September 28th to October 9th is the fall break. And on Thursday, October 15th is the business partners' breakfast. Um, with that, I can receive a motion to adjourn the session. Motion to adjourn the session. Second. First and second. Is everyone in favor? In favor. In favor. Thanks for