Tiffany Bucciarelli-Fay

The meeting commenced with a recognition ceremony for students from the Ironwood Ridge art program, who led the Pledge of Allegiance and received certificates of recognition. The Governing Board also recognized the Ironwood Ridge art teachers for their support of the arts. The consent agenda included approvals for personnel actions (appointments, changes, leaves of absence, separations), stipends for coaching volunteers, a revision to the 2025-2026 meeting schedule, acceptance of gifts, approval of a Parent Support Organization, disposal of surplus property, a lease agreement with T-Mobile West, LLC, grants from the Arizona Department of Administration, and approval regarding Physical Education credit for high school graduation and out-of-state travel. The primary action item involved the Superintendent's recommendation to close four schools—Copper Creek Elementary, Donaldson Elementary, Holaway Elementary, and Nash Elementary—effective June 2026 due to declining enrollment and fiscal pressures; this recommendation was approved after extensive public comment and Board deliberation concerning student placement and facility repurposing. The meeting concluded with the required organizational segment, during which Ms. Vicki Cox Golder was elected President and Mr. Matthew A. Kopec was elected Vice President by acclamation.

The meeting began with an Executive Session to consider an appeal of a long-term suspension hearing officer's decision. Following the public reconvening, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by students from Wilson K-8 School. Key recognitions included student artwork, the Canyon del Oro High School Girls Golf Team (State Runner-Up), the Canyon del Oro Swim Team (State Runners-up and State Champions), and the Amphi High School 1975 and 1979 State Champion Football Teams. Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Ms. Ana Vega (classified) and Ms. Amy Martinez (certificated), and a recognition was given to Micaela Rodrigues, Arizona Science Teachers Association Elementary Science Teacher of the Year. Raytheon Leaders in Education Award Finalists Ms. Mandi Cordell and Ms. Ashlee Manley-Watson were also recognized. The Superintendent's Report covered recent district events, provided an update on the impact and concerns regarding Arizona's Private School Voucher system (ESAs), detailed the District's legal obligations concerning transgender student facility access under Title IX precedent, and announced that formal recommendations for school consolidations would be presented in December. The construction report covered HVAC and cooler replacement projects using BRG Funds. The Consent Agenda, covering personnel changes, leaves of absence, vouchers totaling approximately $2,097,320.79, acceptance of gifts, and approval of the Cum Laude Honors system, was approved. A study session addressed District data related to School A-F Letter Grades, highlighting 11 schools with 'A' ratings and improvements at several other schools. An action item approved the annual Resolution Declaring the Tuesday Before Thanksgiving as "Kindness Day." Finally, a study/action item approved revisions to Governing Board Policy 4-402.B regarding the Support Staff Formal Grievance Procedure, allowing employee representation.

The special meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance led by students from Nash Elementary, who were recognized for their family history at the school. Student art from Nash Elementary was recognized, followed by recognitions for staff members receiving Distinguished Service Awards: Lupe Espinoza (classified) and Shelley Quevedo (certificated). Tenaya Sanchez was recognized as the 2025 Arizona International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Teacher of the Year. Recognition was also extended to the Amphi Foundation for its contributions, including support for teacher grants, technology, and the Amphi Clothing Bank. Key information items included the Superintendent's Report highlighting recent district events, and the mandatory Annual Review of Bond and Capital Projects, detailing expenditures across Adjacent Ways, Building Renewal Grants (totaling over $6.3 million), and Facilities Renewal Bond Projects (totaling over $2.4 million) across various schools. The introduction of the Meet and Confer Teams for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year for certificated, support, and professional/non-teaching employee groups was also completed. The Consent Agenda covered the approval of personnel actions (appointments, changes, leaves, separations, stipends), the approval of minutes from prior meetings (September 9, 2025, and September 23, 2025), approval of vouchers totaling approximately $2,115,446.41, acceptance of gifts, approval of Parent Support Organizations, awarding of contracts for surplus electronic equipment disposal, disposal of surplus property, approval of Building Renewal Grants, and approval of facility rental fees and waivers, as well as out-of-state travel requests. Under Study/Action, the Board approved the 2024-2025 Annual Financial Report, noting that the Maintenance and Operations funds spent $4.2 million more than revenue due to declining enrollment. The Board also approved recommended revisions to the Arizona School Boards Association Bylaws.

The meeting commenced with an executive session to consider and determine an appeal regarding a long-term suspension hearing officer's decision for a specific student. Following the executive session, the public meeting reconvened. The session included public comments regarding the exclusion of homeschooled students utilizing Empowerment Scholarships from District athletic programs, with speakers requesting reconsideration based on fairness and exploring alternative fee structures. The Consent Agenda included approvals for personnel appointments, changes, leaves, separations, termination, coaching stipends, vouchers totaling approximately $1,265,045.93, acceptance of gifts, approval of Parent Support Organizations for 2025-2026, disposal of surplus property, the School Facilities Division FY 2025 Preventive Maintenance Program Report, ADE Seal of Biliteracy Testing Fee for American Sign Language, Supplemental Texts and Materials, and Out of State Travel requests. Under the Study item, an annual report was provided updating the community on programs financed through the 10% Maintenance and Operations Override and the 3.5% K-3 Special Programs Override, detailing how the funds support student programs, salaries, technology, and class size reduction. Finally, the Board took action to approve a resolution declaring the third Friday in November as "School District Substitute Employee Day" to recognize substitute employees.

The meeting included several recognition segments, honoring students for achievements in the National Elementary Honor Society, displaying student art, celebrating the Ironwood Ridge High School Girls Cross Country Division II State Championship, recognizing National Merit Scholarship Commended Students and Semifinalists, and presenting Distinguished Service Awards to classified and certificated staff members, as well as the 2025 District Legendary Teacher Award and a finalist for the University of Arizona Athletics Top 10 Teachers of the Year Award. Key information items included the Superintendent's Report highlighting district events and activities, and the Status of Construction Projects report detailing funding updates. The board conducted a public hearing and approved the Revised Expenditure Budget #2 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, reflecting a projected funding drop due to enrollment decline. The consent agenda covered approvals for personnel actions, stipends, vouchers, acceptance of gifts, Parent Support Organizations, disposal of surplus property, the 2026-2027 Governing Board Meeting Schedule, a Joint Resolution concerning a JTED Special Bond Election, the 2025-2026 District 301 Plan, and out-of-state travel. A study session was dedicated to the Superintendent's Proposal for Consolidation of Schools due to declining enrollments, proposing the closure of four elementary schools; public comments followed this presentation.