001Yep. Call this meeting to order and we'll stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance 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. Let's do roll call. >> Matthew Patinsky, >> Karen Warner, >> Amy Carney, >> Mike Shy, >> Donna Lewis. Uh notice is hereby given pursuant to ARS 1534137 and governing board policy that a public meeting will be held on February 2nd, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the governing boardroom located at Coronado High School with our this address. Uh I would like to ask uh Dr. Christine uh Bono to come up and pre present information regarding the potential boundary changes. Thank you. Thank you, President Dr. Lewis, Vice
002President, Mr. Shy, governing board members, Dr. Mensel, and Miss Wagner. Thanks for allowing us to come tonight. Uh I'm going to be providing a very broad overview so we can make sure we dedicate time for those who want to speak from the public to have their voices heard regarding this potential uh boundary shift for the current puma boundary. So I just have a few slides again on uh Tuesday when this is an action item we'll be able to go much more in depth um regarding you know a deeper dive if you will. So important to frame that all of our work um regarding this process was based on JC board policy JC and JCR. That policy provides the framework for um any changes to a school attendance zone and uh regarding our having a committee
003um around the um notification for not only the the work on the front end but on the back end the postcards that went out to families on the 23rd and 24th of January. Um the way our committee started uh we ran the committee signups through the committee hub. Was very grateful that we had three current puma parents who live within the puma boundary participate. They signed up. All three participated. We also had a community member from the Punjamo Yavapai PBLO Tribal Council which is a community organization in South Scottsdale. We had participants in the committee uh principles from Puma, Navajo, Hookum, Yavapai, Mojave, Tanalia, and Coronado. We had directors participate, Director David Jacobson from Transportation, Director Sarah Torion from Gifted, Dr. Prreninsky from State and Federal, Dr. Williams from special ed, Dr. Cindy Bachna was
004instrumental also in really helping uh throughout this whole process with helping with the maps and the software. uh she's been my right hand in all of this. Sheila Cris from our Native American uh team also participated in the committee. So on January 14th, we had our first meeting. We initially had five boundary options that were being recommended. So we were able to have robust conversation about the five which we're going to go into here momentarily. Uh as a result of the conversation, the committee came up with another possibility. So, as we indicated to you all on the board, our commitment was having these maps posted by January 15th. We wanted to give the committee a time to meet first. Then we had those posted first thing in the morning on the 15th, which then became
005all six options. And those maps were also posted online. So, the committee met again on January 22nd to come to consensus on the options, which I'll review. So, in your folder, just to provide some framework, it it can get confusing. So I tried to make these the former kindergarten teacher and me um and and a little bit type A tried to make these as user friendly as possible. So what you have there are two paper clips. Your first group of papers is the overall current the map that shows the boundary of Hookum, Puma and Yavapai all on the same page. That helps kind of orient to the area that we are speaking of. Then the next page in that packet is the current Puma boundary. Again provides a nice framework to say what area um
006are we are we reviewing. Important to note also not only are these maps on the website I have some additional um handouts should anyone in the audience maybe want to take a look but um they has the corresponding uh map there. So that's Puma. Then the next page and we'll talk about what the recommended option is which we're calling 3A and that would distribute the Puma boundary between Hokam and Yavapai and that's here on this next slide. Tech it's not forwarding. Uh someone's going to forward it for me I think perhaps. Oh there they go. Thank thank you. So the recommended option and how we got there, that's that first packet of your papers. That's option three. It keeps the the boundary that Puma is currently situated within the Coronado complex. It keeps the boundary
007within the Coronado complex. It provides um for that continuity of the community. It would not require any additional funding for transportation. And when we talk about the other options, the implications that could pose some increased financial obligation if we were to move outside the Coronado complex. And um so that was option 3A which you can which you can see here. Then the next packet of papers you have again I gave you another copy of the puma boundary so you don't have to keep going back and forth between packets. You'll see the current puma boundary and then you'll see the other options that we discussed. Option one would divide the current Puma boundary between Navajo and Yavapai. That option was quickly dismissed by the committee as a whole that it's not very um pragmatic, realistic. So
008the committee felt comfortable removing that from consideration quite quickly within that first meeting. Then you have option there are three option twos. There's option 2 A. On your paper, it probably just says option two without a letter because originally we just had a couple. So option two divides the boundary between hoocom and yavapai but also adds Navajo and Navajo is within the Sarro learning community. If we were to include Navajo that would require um realigning the boundary of the whole Sarro complex. So all the level two all the option two 2 A 2 B 2 C include Hokam Yavapai and Navajo. And then option three, there was 3A, that was that first option we discussed, which is the recommended option. And then 3B, still hoocomy yavapai, just a different variation of the cells on the
009map. So here, and again, next week we'll be able to take a deeper dive into the enrollment implications. But if we were, this is relating as it relates to 3A, which is our recommended option. Ho, and it's divided between hook and yavapai. The current capacity of hookum is 655. As of when we started our work as a committee on January 14th, the enrollment was 479 of hookum. If option if everyone who currently attends puma and important to note that when we're talking about these numbers, this relates to the current 134 or 35 depending on the day you look students who live in the current puma boundary. So Puma right now has 283 kids enrolled. Out of that 283, 134 135 um live in the boundary. So this is just relating to them in terms of
010being in their new attendance zone. So option 3A if all of those kids now 75 would be zoned for hookum, 60 would be zoned for Yavapai. Additionally, students of course can always apply for open enrollment outside of their learning community. And Simar did Cindy and her team did confirm that no student has been denied enrollment from Puma and Echo for that matter, but Puma as relates to our time together tonight um in seeking enrollment for the Sarro complex or any other complex outside of Coronado. So the points that the committee were making undergoing with 3A is the balanced utilization between hookum and yavapai. Uh it aligns for continued growth. There would be no additional costs for transportation and it compete and it uh keeps the boundary within the the complex. So our next steps we
011are continuing with our concierge support. I know uh Mrs. Mitchell has kept you all apprised of the process, but we continue to reach out to families who have not enrolled yet. It's important to note that there are currently 73 puma students who live in the boundary who have not yet enrolled and the feedback we are getting, granted we haven't heard from all 73, but the feedback we are getting from those who are reaching out is that they are waiting to find out what the board's decision will be on Tuesday. Also, I failed to mention that part of our decision was also based on the let's talks and emails we have received. I think at last count it was five or six let's talks and maybe I've received two to four emails but all requesting option
0123A to keep the boundary of puma currently within hokavapai. Um I don't know if anyone else has received any others that's just based on the feedback I have received. So with that, I will take a breath and any additional clarifications, questions you might have uh prior to opening the floor up to our public comments. >> We can ask clarifying questions but not a discussion. Is that right, >> Madam President? That's correct. >> So do you have a clarifying question? To clarify your [clears throat] comment about transportation, the implication for transportation of different options is if a family was in the enrollment zone but open enrolled outside and now where they open enrolled becomes their enrollment zone, they would go from ineligible to eligible. Is that the driver of transportation costs? >> Yes, thank you Dr.
013Pinsky. if a student so for example in option 2B so 3A was the one we're recommending stays within Coronado complex the other option the committee liked if they had to pick a second choice was 2B which comeapai Navajo is in the mix which now is in the Sawarro complex there would be some students who currently live within the puma boundary who would now be zoned for Navajo there are uh please hold if 2B There would be 30 students who currently live in the puma boundary who now would be zoned for Navajo. They would be eligible to take a bus. David Jacobson kind of crunched some rough numbers. We could have additional detailed numbers for next week, but it would be up between $85 and $90,000 to um add a whole another bus route to go
014from >> to now eligible. And then the other question um I understand why the focus at Puma are the students who attend Puma that are in boundary not the open enrollment students who come in that it sounds like a roughly half the puma population. To the extent that kids follow friends and so to some extent where the inboundary go will influence where the open enrollment go. Um, did the committee consider that when also thinking about the capacity of the schools? >> Yes, to an extent. So, if I'm understanding your question, when we look at the kids at Puma who are currently enrolled in puma and where they have enrolled for next year from the inboundary, so kids who live in the puma boundary, 24 are enrolled at Navajo, seven are enrolled at hookcom and two
015are enrolled at Yavapai. when you sort just the current puma kids who are open enrolled meaning they live outside the puma boundary for next year 26 are going to enrolled currently to go to Navajo 20 to Hookum and nine for Yavapai um so I'm not sure if that really answers it but it we did talk about for example you know as we're looking at this data and working with Mrs. Mitchell for both of our repurposed schools. If I have four, we're sorting it by grade. So, if I have four fourth graders all going to the same school next year, we want to make sure we're able to accommodate them, keeping them together in the same class. I'm not sure if that really is aligning with your question. Go ahead. Okay. Thank you. Um, just one
016question. If we could uh update the committee page because it's it's not been updated since the last uh meeting. There's no minutes and then there's no members listed. If we could >> Oh, yeah. Absolutely. I apologize. >> Finalize that page that because I was looking at it for information. Thank you. >> Colon, you okay? >> Okay. I have a question about notice. This is a Puma. The scope of this conversation is Puma only, but the implication of the schools is inferred or do we need to be really vivid about that in this notice? Uh Madame President, the notice was sent out to the learning communities of uh Coronado Sorro, correct? And uh so because those two learning communities would be impacted um not just the uh giving school puma but the receiving schools as well.
017So there was uh compliance with the public notice um according to the state law and your policy. The second question for clarity I have was there any discussion about federal funds that follow the students that would impact the schools? >> Dr. Pninski, we t we touched on that a little bit. Would it change any of the schools free and reduced lunch? We wouldn't know until especially the rest of those 78 kids where they chose to go. Um did I capture that correctly that we didn't yet have total clarity on perhaps the implication to title one funding? Hey Sorry to put you on the spot there, Dr. P. >> Good evening. So, our federal funding is contingent upon uh our numbers that roll up October 1. So based on income eligibility at our current sites, um
018the funding for our title one schools to include Hokyabai will be based on what rolled up this past fall. Um so we won't have uh numbers until uh the dust clears for the following fiscal year until next October, which is when our next roll up to the state is. >> Thank you. >> All right. Did that help? >> Very much. Thank you. Other questions on the presentation? Anything else, Dr. Bono? >> Nothing for me. All right. Thank you. I appreciate the hard copies because I like to touch and draw arrows and use highlighters. >> I hope you found it organized. So, thank >> very much. Thank you for your kindergarten teacher skills. >> Uh, all right. As we move into the public hearing piece, uh speakers will be limited to two minutes and must be
019present to speak. Speakers cannot delegate their time to another individual. In compliance with open meeting law, the governing board may not discuss or take action tonight on any matters uh raised during the public comments that are not on the agenda. However, the governing board may respond to direct criticism, ask staff to review a matter, or that matter may be placed on future agenda. Public comments will be conducted in accordance with policy BEDH. As a reminder, each speaker will have two minutes. The screen will indicate the time. Please be prepared to close your comments and relinquish the floor at the conclusion of your time. The board asked that each speaker please introduce yourself by stating your name and whether you live within our school district for clarity on the record. We thank you for your time
020and attendance here this evening and your cooperation in following the meeting decorum and protocols. I will read the name of the speaker. When you hear your name, would you please come up to the podium? I will read the name of the next speaker to be ready on deck. Once you start speaking, your time will start. It looks as if we have one speaker tonight, which is Debbie Schumacher. Is that our only speaker? >> The only one who signed up. Okay. I >> Would you like to add yourself as a speaker? >> Yes. >> I'll I'll make space for that. >> Anybody else? Okay. Debbie Schumacher, come on up. My name is Debbie Schumacher, SUSD alum, resident, and grandparent. Tonight, you are reviewing your predetermined outcome for boundaries around Puma Elementary in a thinly veiled attempt
021at meeting legal requirements. I want to present to you two additional options for your consideration. One, the entirety of Puma's boundaries are converted to the Sorro community. Most Puma families education path for many decades has been Puma to Mojave to Sorro. Give the Puma families the education path they have been pursuing all along. This is the best option for your redemption with Puma families. Even if this means you need to drop portable classrooms into the antiquated, asbestous fil, fire damaged and leaky roofed Navajo. Option two, use Osborne as a north south dividing line. All residents south of Osborne are bound for Coronado. All residents north of Osborne are bound for Sorro. Most Puma residents will not consider an east west division, especially since you have Yavapai and Tonair on the chopping block for next year.
022Why would a family move them to expose their children to the dread and the unknown with the possibility of their school closing yet again? It is my hope that you choose wisely and make amends to the families and the conitu constituents you have betrayed and make better choices than you have in the last recent months. >> Thank you. And I don't know your name, Jennifer, if you'll come up and say your first and last name and whether you live in the district, please. >> Thank you, Debbie. >> Hi, my name is Jennifer Hibbert and I live at 3017 North 83rd Street and I've lived there for 20 years. Since 2005, I received the mailed notice for the meeting and have reviewed the options. I'm also SUSD alumni. Um, my children are currently enrolled at Navajo
023third grade, Mojave 6th grade. So, we've attended Navajo for six years. We are Puma District, so we do go obviously outside of our district. Uh there are at least six or seven parents who couldn't come tonight and all of them either go to Navajo currently or Puma currently and will be choosing Navajo. Our preferred progression would be Navajo to Mojave to Sawro. Um I I don't recall that was like a two ABC one of those. Um let's see. With the closure of Puma, we would love to have transportation options. That's why I'm here. Um, so I'm north of Thomas, so that might be an option for a boundary if we're looking for Navajo, uh, Mojave, Sorro. Um, let's see. And I did choose, um, the Sorro complex, obviously Navajo, Mojave, Sorro, for the steam STEM
024aspect. That's why we didn't choose to attend Puma. Um, both my kids are thriving. Uh, we have a lot of transportation that we do every day. So if it is a consideration to have bus transportation, there's at least six or seven kids on my street who go to Navajo, Mojave, and Sorero, and we carpool or we It's a lot of driving. Um, and I know I have 21 seconds. Uh, implications are obviously, you know, uh, most of the people that I know, uh, who already attend Puma have chosen whether they've done it officially or not to go to Navajo. So that should progress Navajo Mojave Sorro. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jennifer. That concludes our our public comments for the evening. Uh board members comments, clarifications. All right. Uh >> sorry. >> I'm sorry. Go
025ahead. >> Uh thank you. I I think we've gotten some of this information um before, but I want to see if we can get history on the Puma students um and if they were going Mojave Sarro um if we could get you know the past I don't know six years, seven years history on numbers that would be helpful. >> Okay, we'll ask staff to provide that for us. Thank you for Miss Carney. Thank you. All right. Uh that bl brings us to a conclusion of this public hearing. I uh make a motion to adjourn the meeting. I need a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> It passes unanimously and we end the meeting today at 6:22. Thank you everyone for coming.