Rocky Berumen

The Board Meeting covered several operational and strategic areas. The Superintendent's Report highlighted recognition during African American History Month, noting growth in literacy scores and celebrating bus drivers and aides. Discussions included gathering feedback on the potential relocation of Herrera Arts School to the Fillmore property, and updates from the Superintendent's Student Advisory Team on the concept of belonging. Key action items involved the approval of a new K-8 mathematics curriculum, enVision Mathematics, along with the authorization to issue employment contracts for the 2026-2027 school year. Furthermore, the Board approved revised fiscal policy and governance updates from the Arizona School Boards Association. Information updates detailed renovation plans for Edison and Garfield schools, focusing on creating safer, modern, and nature-based learning environments. The Board also reviewed the Consent Agenda, which included approval requests for payroll and expenditure vouchers, personnel actions, and school field trips.

The key discussions and actions during the combined meeting included the welcome of a new Governing Board member, Justin Graham. Awards and recognitions were presented, including the October S.T.A.R. Awards. The Superintendent provided a report, highlighting community support for district overrides, food insecurity relief efforts via the Y-Academy partnership, and thanking veterans. The board also reviewed and took action on several items. All consent agenda items were approved, covering payroll, expense vouchers, financial reports, and contract approvals, including a contract award to Willie Itule Produce, Inc. and entry into contract negotiations with CHASSE Building Team for the Edison Elementary Renovation. Action items included the approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Revision, which involved adjustments to the Maintenance and Override (M&O) budget and District Additional Assistance (DAA) budget, and the approval of a one-time payment of up to $1,400 for all full-time employees in December 2025. Additionally, an Ad Hoc committee consisting of President Carmen Trujillo and board member Suanne Edmiston was appointed to review board agenda policies. The board also conducted a first reading of revised Arizona School Board Association (ASBA) Advisory Policy Recommendations, including Policy BEBD.

The board meeting covered numerous recognition and announcement items, including a joint choir presentation by Herrera and Kenilworth students, recognition of September S.T.A.R. Award recipients across several schools, and updates on various school-based Coffee Talks focusing on family pacts, volunteer authorization, student performance data, and attendance trends. Additional highlights included a Business and Community Partners Lunch at Phoenix #1, celebrations for Grandparents' Day at Whittier and Herrera, and recognition of August Students of the Month at Emerson. Operational updates included a successful Pasta and Bingo Night at Shaw Montessori and Field Day at Bethune. Curriculum nights (Title I/Curriculum Night) were held at Lowell, Emerson, and Capitol. Recognition was given for the Diamondbacks' Read Your Way to the Ballpark program at Capitol. Senator Rubén Gallego visited Garfield, and Bethune celebrated Constitution Day. Garfield hosted a Career Day. Kenilworth recognized reading rewards from Valley Youth Theatre, and teachers at Lowell and Herrera received 'Supply My Class' grants from APS. Emerson's garden was cleaned by Brophy students, and Garfield's Director participated in the 'Partnering with a Principal' program. Herrera attended Great Skate, and first-grade students at Arizona connected with Alabama students regarding state facts. Whittier hosted a choir collaboration with North High School, and Delivering Dreams AZ provided essential items to Whittier students. Phoenix #1 hosted a large event at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) featuring student performances. The National School Custodian Day was observed on October 2nd. The Superintendent provided an annual report highlighting fiscal health and community partnerships. Action items on the Consent Agenda included approval of payroll and expenditure vouchers, authorization for financial reports, procurement of UPS systems and bus chargers, contract approval for mass messaging services, approval of school grade classifications for 2025-2026, and authorization regarding personnel matters and out-of-district travel. The Board also discussed the upcoming November 2025 ballot measure regarding the sale, lease, or exchange of District Real Estate, noting current active leases generating over $1,000,000 in revenue allocated to preschool supplements, extracurricular enrichment, and transportation. Finally, the Board approved the Annual Financial Report (AFR) for Fiscal Year 25 and the Superintendent's Performance-Based Pay for 2024-2025, while also reviewing Strategic Objectives and Provisional Limits concerning student academic outcomes in mathematics for third and eighth grades.

This document serves as an academic calendar for the period of July 2026 to June 2027. It details school recesses, staff professional development days, district closures, teacher workdays, and conference schedules. The calendar outlines weekly early release schedules, quarter start and end dates, final grade submission windows, and a list of observed federal holidays. It does not outline a strategic plan's overall purpose, strategic pillars, or intended outcomes.

The Board meeting focused on several key areas. The Board recognized student presenters from Garfield regarding feedback on belonging data gathered from fifth through eighth-grade students, noting key findings on welcome, staff interaction, and safety perceptions. The Superintendent's Report included recognition of the Board during School Board Recognition Month and highlighted student artwork selected for district holiday cards. Discussions included the future of the Fillmore property, outlining a vision for maintaining K-8 education, developing portions of the property for revenue generation, and creating staff/family housing. The Board reviewed the process for special education service placements at private schools, noting nine students were placed privately in 2025-2026. The District's required fiscal year 2025 audit was presented, resulting in a flawless report with the highest possible rating. The Board also reviewed revised policy recommendations from the Arizona School Boards Association and noted student and teacher awards for academic excellence growth.