[0:51] Good evening.
[0:58] Good evening. I would like to call this
meeting to order.
[1:04] [snorts]
I appreciate it. This microphone doesn't
[1:07] carry very well. Good evening everybody.
I would like to call this meeting to
[1:10] order. Mr. Lennonheiser, may I have roll
call, please?
[1:14] » President Wade, let the record show that
all four members are in attendance this
[1:17] evening.
>> Thank you. Please join me in a moment of
[1:21] silence, followed by the pledge of
allegiance.
[2:03] I motion to approve the agenda.
>> Second.
[2:06] » I'll give that to Miss German.
Seconding. All those in favor?
[2:10] » I I
>> I. Motion carries four to zero. This
[2:14] brings us to Mr. Lassenheiser for the
superintendent report.
[2:19] President Wade, members of the board, we
have a few different items in the
[2:22] superintendent report. But before we
jump in, I'd like to just let the crowd
[2:26] know that this is kind of how we do it.
We'll have a superintendent report where
[2:29] we will go through some different items
and we'd appreciate it that when it's uh
[2:33] your time to get recognized, you come up
and then you stay. There will be a point
[2:36] in time where I'll say, "Hey, if
anybody, you know, would like to go
[2:40] ahead and leave, it would be an
appropriate time." So, I'll let you guys
[2:43] know when that happens. But I'm really
excited about the different things that
[2:46] we're looking to celebrate today. Uh
first of all, I just wanted to shout out
[2:50] to our campuses, to our students, to our
sponsors, our club sponsors, our people
[2:55] who put together our Patriot Day
celebrations from around the district.
[2:59] And so our schools recognize the events
of 9/11 and Patriot Day with ceremonies,
[3:04] public safety appreciation events,
assemblies, service projects. You know,
[3:08] in Higgley, one of our pillars of our
portrait graduate is a responsible
[3:12] citizenship. And you know how we uh
recognize what happens on Patriot Day
[3:17] really exemplifies the importance that
we have in teaching servant leadership
[3:21] and citizenship to our students at every
level. And I don't know if you were guys
[3:26] were able to go out and visit any of the
different events, but fantastic things
[3:30] organized by students and by our
sponsors of our clubs and by our
[3:34] leadership. And I'm just proud of uh
what we do and what we do to remember
[3:38] and then turn around and support within
student service project. So, I want to
[3:42] give a big thank you to everybody who
worked hard to make that a special day
[3:46] around of our district.
[3:52] I want to commend uh everyone who was
involved with our business and community
[3:58] partner breakfast that happened last
week. We welcomed more than 100 business
[4:02] owners, community leaders, and
nonprofits to Kulie's campus for our
[4:05] fall business and community partner
breakfast where we highlighted Sausman
[4:09] Spartan buddies and video productions
programs and Centennial's participatory
[4:13] budgeting program. It's a great
opportunity to network and brainstorm
[4:17] with our business partners on the future
projects as we move forward into the
[4:21] school year. Our question that we had
was how we can we have our business
[4:25] partners connect with our participatory
budgeting processes that are occurring
[4:29] on our campuses. We had great feedback
about the conversation and as always our
[4:34] goal is to take conversation and turn it
into action and how we can we can
[4:38] further commit to making sure that we
work together because when we are
[4:43] working together it's going to provide
our students the best opportunities
[4:46] possible. So, thank you to everyone who
was involved in setting up and and being
[4:50] a part of the business and community
partner breakfast and we look forward to
[4:54] our next one in February.
[4:59] All right. Now, it's the time where I
think a lot of you are here to see
[5:03] because we are very, very proud of
Sasman Middle School's wrestling team
[5:08] for winning the East Valley Conference
Championship. Let's give him a round of
[5:12] applause.
[applause]
[5:18] All right, gentlemen, up here. So, if I
could have the team come up, please. All
[5:23] of you come up
[5:28] and I just want you to line up right
over here.
[5:33] And I know we have our coaches and Mr.
Keeling are here, but kids, I'm going to
[5:38] put you on the spot just a little bit.
All right.
[5:42] First of all, congratulations for
representing Higgley and Sausman and
[5:45] winning the wrestling championship. That
is awesome. And what I'm going to do
[5:49] before I turn it over to Mr. Keeling,
we're going to just hand down the
[5:51] microphone and I'd like you to introduce
yourself, what grade you're in, and what
[5:56] weight class you participated in. And if
you were one of our EVC champions, would
[6:00] you tell us that you're the champion as
well? So, do you guys got it? Okay,
[6:04] we're going to start with coach over
here.
[6:07] » Uh Josh Nisbet, assistant coach, been
with Sman for seven years. Hi. Um, I'm
[6:12] TJ. Um, I'm in eighth grade. Um, and I'm
in the 83 um, pound weight class.
[6:22] » I got second place.
>> I'm Phoenix. I'm in eighth grade and I
[6:28] participated in the 98 weight class and
I got fifth place.
[6:33] » I'm Brooklyn. I'm in eighth grade and I
participated in the 133 weight class.
[6:40] I'm Daniel. I'm in eighth grade and I
participated in the 167 weight class.
[6:46] » I'm Co and I'm in seventh grade and I
participated in the 88 weight class.
[6:52] » I'm Josiah. I'm in eighth grade and I
participated in the 142 weight class.
[6:58] » I'm Dean and I participated in the 105
weight class.
[7:03] » Uh I'm Jacob. I'm in eighth grade and I
participated in the 104 weight class.
[7:11] » Uh, third place.
[7:15] » I'm Kaden. I'm in seventh grade and I
participated in the 73 lb weight class
[7:20] and I won EVC's.
[7:25] » I'm Jimmer. Uh, I'm in eighth grade and
I participated in the 78 weight class
[7:29] and I got second place.
>> I'm Isa. I participated in the 111
[7:36] weight class and I won ABC's.
[applause]
[7:42] » I'm Austin and I participated in the 118
weight class and I'm in eighth grade and
[7:50] I placed third place.
[7:54] » I'm Mia Johnson. I'm in eighth grade and
I participated in the 125 weight class.
[8:01] » I'm Paxton Romney. I participated in the
154 pound weight class. I came in third
[8:06] place and I'm in eighth grade.
>> Uh I'm Kaisen. I wrestled in the 200
[8:12] weight class and I placed second.
[8:18] » And I am Coach Tid and I've been Sman
for 10 years. Took me 10 years to get
[8:23] this done and this is the team that did
it. Thank you boys.
[8:28] [applause]
[8:32] I'm Brandon Keeling. I'm the assistant
principal and athletic director. Uh
[8:35] we're not going to talk about my weight
class. And so, um, Coach Tid has been
[8:40] coaching assassin for 10 years. Um, nine
years ago at the same tournament, uh,
[8:44] there's a particular team that won it.
We don't say their name around here.
[8:47] And, um, coach goes, we're going to
catch those guys. and he spent the last
[8:52] almost decade uh building this program,
working with coach Nesbbit, working with
[8:56] the high school um to create a fantastic
program and great experience for our
[9:01] kids. I'm so proud of coach, so proud of
every single one of you showing up every
[9:04] morning at 6:30 to work hard and
accomplish your goals and looking
[9:09] forward to uh seeing you guys back in
this room next year as repeat champions.
[9:13] Way to go, Sasman. [applause]
[10:13] All right, let's give another big round
of applause for these outstanding
[10:17] champions. All right, you guys are good
to go back to your seats. Thank you so
[10:20] much. Congratulations.
[10:25] You know, Mr. Keeling mentioned being
there at 6:30 going above and beyond uh
[10:31] to participate in athletics and I just
want to say thank you to all of you
[10:35] parents. You're here tonight. You're
driving them in the morning and I know
[10:38] the sacrifices you make as a family when
you're the uh parent of an athlete. So,
[10:43] thank you so much for supporting and
we're so proud of the success of our
[10:47] students. So, what a great celebration
it is for us tonight.
[10:55] For upcoming events, um this Thursday we
have our school visit with the cabinet
[11:00] and the governing board to Williamsfield
High School and we're really looking
[11:04] forward so that Williamsfield can
highlight what they're doing on
[11:06] campuses. I'm sure no one's counting
down, but October 5th through 16th is
[11:11] fall break and so we will have two weeks
off. During that time, we do have
[11:16] Tuesday, October 13th, that's at 10:00
a.m. will be our uh virtual board
[11:20] meeting so we can go through the AFR.
And just remember, especially for
[11:25] parents out there, Monday, October 19th,
when we come back from break, we do not
[11:29] have students on that day. So, the
students continue to have Monday off
[11:32] where we'll do well. We do a
professional development day. And then
[11:36] Tuesday, October 20th is when we resume
school after fall break. So that
[11:42] concludes the superintendence report and
thank you. So everyone who was here so
[11:47] that we could recognize and celebrate.
But at this time we're going to switch
[11:51] to our business portion of our meeting.
So if you would like to stay, you're
[11:55] more than welcome to stay. But we'll
take a couple minutes if you guys would
[11:58] like to leave now. So thank you very
much for being here and supporting.
[12:45] President Wade, that concludes the
superintendent report.
[12:48] » Thank you, Mr. Lenheiser.
Next on the agenda are the requests to
[12:53] speak. Please play the video.
[12:58] [music]
We value input from our constituents.
[13:01] This time on our agenda has been set
aside for anyone from the audience
[13:05] [music] who wishes to address the board.
Those that wish to speak should have
[13:09] filled out speaker cards which are
[music] due prior to the start of our
[13:12] meeting. Members of the board may not
discuss, comment, or take action on
[13:17] matters raised that are not specifically
identified on the agenda. Therefore,
[13:22] pursuant [music] to ARS 38-431.01i,
01 I action taken as a result of public
[13:29] comment will be limited to [music]
directing staff to study the matter,
[13:32] responding to any criticism or
scheduling the matter for further
[13:36] consideration and decision at a later
date. Also, we ask that audience members
[13:42] practice proper public meeting to
quorum, refraining from either negative
[13:46] or positive responses, including
clapping or verbal outbursts to ensure
[13:50] fairness to all points of view. Those
that refuse [music] to follow these
[13:54] rules may be asked to leave. In
accordance with policy BEDH public
[13:59] [music] participation at board meetings,
if considered necessary, the governing
[14:04] board president shall [music] set a time
limit on the length of the comment
[14:07] period in order to ensure that each
individual has an opportunity [music] to
[14:11] address the board. The president may
also set a time limit for individual
[14:15] speakers. Thank you for your
cooperation.
[14:33] Up first we have Maryanne Show.
[14:46] Good evening board members and our
executive branch of Higgley Unified.
[14:53] I come here on the behalf of parents and
students in our high school and middle
[15:00] school community who are really really
frustrated
[15:06] with the software errors that are
happening with their computers.
[15:12] It is my understanding from my own
children that there are multiple issues
[15:18] going on with both Canvas
and um
[15:25] oh gosh, parent view that is actually
blocking our students from being able to
[15:33] get work turned in correctly
and accountably.
[15:39] My oldest is a sophomore at
Williamsfield in
[15:45] a year and a quarter.
So between our freshman year and where
[15:52] we are now, she has had to switch out
her computer 15 times.
[16:01] Um, our youngest is a freshman at
Williamsfield.
[16:07] In this time period, she has had to
switch out her computer 10 times.
[16:15] All of it is a software issue.
Most of the time, the IT department is
[16:23] trying to hit it with hardware.
The canvas is software. Parent view is
[16:32] software.
We have contracts with those companies
[16:39] regarding
the our students ability to learn. So
[16:47] this needs to be hit with two parts
because our district is paying for those
[16:54] contracts
and it is affecting our kids ability to
[17:00] learn and parents ability to actually
track where their grades are.
[17:09] Um, our oldest spent an entire class
period today with her teacher
[17:18] trying to figure out why Canvas wasn't
loading correctly.
[17:28] So, I don't know how much we're paying
per student, but at this point,
[17:36] we need to start looking at the
contracts we have with both
[17:40] organizations.
Thank you.
[17:47] [clears throat]
Next, we have Timothy Show.
[17:59] It was last year about the same time we
were talking about digitization of the
[18:03] classroom and the failures of bringing
electronics without a redundant system.
[18:08] And historically we've had chalk
chalkboards for well over 2,000 years.
[18:14] We have them left over there in the in
throughout the world we come across
[18:18] them. the advent of computer going there
without a proper roll out will lead to a
[18:23] decrease in the student learning. It's
that's been repeated over and over
[18:28] again. One of the biggest areas was
during COVID when they try to digitize
[18:31] every student out there. Uh I happen to
have a bachelor of electrical
[18:34] engineering. It's a passion of mine.
It's also a vocation. But without
[18:38] redundant systems, you're going to lose
the kids. You you they're going to be
[18:43] frustrated. My oldest happens to be a
natural engineer. Kind of comes with the
[18:47] territory. and she she chose not to
pursue engineering as a natural female
[18:52] engineer. Carl Jung would say less than
1% of the population. That's something
[18:56] all the school boards I've ever heard
try to try to f um try to
[19:01] encourage and prosper. It's not working.
And it's not working because the kids
[19:06] are frustrated. It's not rolled out
properly. It needs to be rolled out
[19:10] properly.
[19:18] Up next, we have Trevor Cook.
[19:25] Okay, it's going to be a little I'm
pretty tall, so let's see. Okay. All
[19:29] right. There we go. All right. Good
evening, U Madam Board President,
[19:33] members of the board. Uh my name is
Trevor Cook. I am a former student of
[19:37] Higgley High School, also a former
member of student council. Uh I am a
[19:41] 2016 graduate. Go Knights. Uh, I'm here
to talk about today about there was an
[19:46] incident a few weeks ago of a of a
student potentially who had violated the
[19:51] dress code. There was a shirt that it
was a shirt that had a blood stain on it
[19:55] regarding the assassination of an
individual. And this student has a first
[19:59] amendment right obviously. I I get that.
I respect that. But at the same time, it
[20:04] is in violation of the dress code
regarding basically when it uh contains
[20:08] or convenes obscene language symbols or
messages. Uh I think that uh there
[20:14] should be some punishment for this
because it is a dress code that this
[20:18] that the board adopted and the school
has to follow. But and and look, I mean
[20:23] it doesn't matter what the student was
wearing or who they support politically.
[20:26] It doesn't matter if it's Charlie Kirk,
Martin Luther King Jr. It it doesn't
[20:29] matter. Schools are supposed to be a
place of free speech and opportunity.
[20:34] They we can't they should not they it's
just it's just they shouldn't be wearing
[20:38] stuff that violates the dress code. that
could be distracting to other students
[20:41] and staff. Thank you so much.
[20:49] Up next, we have Travis White.
[21:01] Good evening, President Wade, members of
the board, superintendent, district
[21:05] leadership, uh, and community members.
My name is Travis White and I'm a proud
[21:10] parent of a first grader in the Mandarin
dual immersion program at Coronado
[21:13] Elementary. Thank you for keeping
elementary specials and language
[21:17] programs as part of your focus. This
Saturday is National PTO appreciation
[21:22] day and I wanted to recognize our
wonderful PTOs and booster clubs across
[21:27] our district. Our Coronado PTO has
worked tirelessly during our recent
[21:31] direct donation drive and I wanted to
thank them uh for their efforts in
[21:36] planning this year's Mid-Autumn Moon
Festival that will be held this Friday.
[21:41] These fundraising efforts allow Coronado
to have events where all families can
[21:46] attend for free and celebrate together
as a school community. This is what true
[21:52] community and inclusion looks like in
practice. Having the opportunity to
[21:56] invest directly in school communities
and is one of the things that makes the
[22:00] work of supporting a school so
worthwhile.
[22:04] Tonight's agenda for the fiscal year
2027 classroom site fund plan is a good
[22:09] example of that. Budgets are more than
just spreadsheets and communication
[22:14] around them clearly outlines a
district's values.
[22:18] It's wonderful that we're committing
these statutory dollars to the base
[22:21] addition, stipens, performance pay, and
even subsidizing the 3% base increase
[22:26] for our hardworking certified staff.
While this increase is vital to
[22:31] supporting our educators in today's
inflationary environment and competitive
[22:36] East Valley market, it only just keeps
pace.
[22:40] While our focus should continue to be on
maximizing state uh CSF dollars, our
[22:45] ongoing imperative as a district must be
rigorous financial oversight and
[22:50] operational efficiency. This will allow
us to determine additional ways to
[22:54] increase compensation for our educators
over time. Whether it's parents stepping
[22:59] up to ensure all families can celebrate
together at a festival or the board
[23:04] directing funds where they impact
students learning most, our focus must
[23:09] stay locked on supporting the people who
make Higgley great. Thank you for your
[23:13] time. Let's keep showing that together
we got this and that Higgley's public
[23:17] schools can can continue to lead the
charts by supporting our educators in
[23:22] their journey to provide a world-class
education for every student. Thank you.
[23:32] Up next we have Heather Balch.
[23:39] » Good evening board members and um
cabinet. It's nice to be here this
[23:43] evening. I think that as a a school
district we often stop thinking about
[23:47] our kids after they graduate. Uh our
kids graduate from high school and then
[23:52] we really don't know what happens after
that. Um, and tonight I'm here to share
[23:57] the rest of the story with you. My son
started preschool at Santan Elementary
[24:02] back in 2007. He continued his
elementary career through uh sixth grade
[24:07] at Santan and then went to Sasson Middle
School. While at Sassimon Middle School,
[24:12] he found his love of robotics with John
Burke, who fostered a an opportunity for
[24:18] him to explore um something of very much
interest to him. sports was not his
[24:24] thing. Um and then from there he went on
to Higgley High School where he got
[24:28] involved in the CTE engineering
programs. Jason Sixkiller just um ran an
[24:33] amazing program while he was there. Um
[snorts]
[24:36] during one class period, Embry Riddle
came to present to our kids and tell
[24:41] them about what a great opportunity the
university is. And he actually ended up
[24:45] going there. He graduated in May and he
was just hired um at Honeywell. So,
[24:52] Higgley students do great things and I
just wanted to share that with you
[24:54] tonight. Thank you.
[25:01] Up next, we have Mindy Brocker.
[25:16] Thank you so much, President Wade, and
members of the governing board for
[25:20] allowing me to speak tonight. I'm asking
that you reject the proposed changes to
[25:24] policy KB. I want to be very clear. I
support parental rights, religious
[25:30] liberty, and Higgley complying fully
with Arizona law and the Supreme Court's
[25:35] decision in Mahabmood versus Taylor. But
these proposed amendments are
[25:39] unnecessary and they create serious
operational risks in our classrooms.
[25:43] HUSD's existing policy already provide
substantial protections. Section E
[25:48] allows parents who object to
instructional materials as harmful to
[25:51] withdraw their children and request
alternative assignments, specifically
[25:55] including objections involving religion.
Section F guarantees advanced access to
[26:01] instructional materials. Rejecting these
board member drafted amendments does not
[26:06] mean rejecting parental rights. The
changes proposed by board member Van
[26:10] Hoke go considerably further. Legally,
Mimmude and the First Amendment address
[26:16] instruction that substantially
interferes with religious development or
[26:19] poses a substantial threat to faith. In
law, substantial is a high bar. It
[26:24] addresses severe burdens, not incidental
exposure to regular pre-approved
[26:29] academic content. Yet under proposed
section E, that threshold completely
[26:34] disappears. A parent need only identify
an activity and claim a conflict. Staff
[26:38] are forbidden from questioning or
evaluating it, and the student must
[26:41] immediately be pulled from all
instruction and exposure while the
[26:44] request is pending. In practice, this
turns a standard into any perceived
[26:49] compl conflict, no matter how routine.
Consider our classrooms where a standard
[26:53] middle school science lesson on genetics
or a history unit on world religions or
[26:57] an English novel with diverse characters
does not pose a constitutional
[27:01] violation. Yet, under this language, an
objection to any ordinary topic can
[27:05] force an immediate and automatic
removal. Education amongst your peers
[27:10] cannot function if every classroom must
be individually customized instantly to
[27:15] immediately accommodate every family's
personal beliefs. Before adopting this
[27:19] language, the board should ask, "What is
Higgley's existing procedure and
[27:24] response time when an objection is
submitted right before instruction
[27:27] begins?" If there is a procedural gap,
let's fix that gap. Parents do have
[27:32] rights, teachers have responsibilities,
and students have a right to a coherent
[27:37] education.
Please reject these amendments and
[27:40] direct staff as needed to craft a
narrowly tailored procedure that
[27:44] protects legitimate rights without
disrupting our classroom learning. Thank
[27:48] you.
[27:53] » Okay, that concludes our request to
speak. Uh Mr. Lotsenheiser, if we can
[27:58] get uh in our superintendent report an
IT update, if if things are happening,
[28:04] is it happening across the board,
intermittent all that jazz?
[28:08] » Yes.
>> Thank you.
[28:12] This brings us to consent agenda items.
I motion to approve consent agenda items
[28:16] 5.1 through 5.13.
>> Second.
[28:19] » That would be Miss Schultz. Seconding.
All those in favor?
[28:23] » I
>> I I motion carries four to zero. We'd
[28:27] like to thank AMZ, Tall and Mechanical,
McGra Hill, UHG, Kerry Coxin, DLR, DLR
[28:34] Group, Arizona Students Recycling, Use
Technology, Higgley Palm Boosters, and
[28:38] Higgley Cheer Boosters for their
generous donations to the district and
[28:41] its students.
[28:45] » [clears throat]
>> This brings us to action item 6.1,
[28:48] approval of fiscal year 2027 classroom
site fund plan. Any questions or
[28:53] comments from the board before a motion?
[29:05] President Wade. Um,
I just noticed that we got the numbers
[29:10] back in the uh Q&A and I noticed that
the uh total projected cost of all four
[29:20] components was 13.5 million and the
revenue is projected to be 12.7 million
[29:28] and there's a difference of about
828,000.
[29:32] And I'm just wondering if uh
[clears throat] do we plan on using the
[29:37] classroom site fund balance to cover
that difference?
[29:45] President Wade, uh board member Van
Hook. Yes. I mean, we are currently
[29:48] carrying well, we came into this year
with about 16 million in budget balance
[29:54] carry forward. So, yes, we're trying to
start spending that down because that's
[29:58] a large dollar amount to be carrying in
this fund.
[30:02] Thank you.
[30:07] » Nothing.
>> Okay. I motion to approve the fiscal
[30:10] year 2027 classroom site fund plan.
>> Second.
[30:14] » I'm going to give that to Miss Gar.
Seconding. All those in favor?
[30:18] » I.
>> I. Motion carries 4 to zero. Next, we
[30:21] have 6.2 second read and approval of
BEDBA school board operational goals.
[30:27] Any questions or comments from the board
before I motion?
[30:33] President Wade, uh, I had suggested
changes to the policy and
[30:41] the policy currently requires agenda and
supporting material to be distributed at
[30:47] least 24 hours before the meeting. Um,
but it does not establish a minimum of
[30:52] standard for the supporting material. Uh
I met with uh Superintendent
[30:58] Lutzenheiser and during our meeting we
agreed that the board should receive
[31:03] complete agreements or documentation
when um asked to approve or amend or
[31:09] renew contracts. Um and also for the
public to have access to those
[31:15] documents. Um
my
[31:22] and actually I was I was told that that
would go in the communication protocols.
[31:27] Um
but I don't know if the when I pulled
[31:33] the communication protocols
at the time um if that was that wasn't
[31:38] in there. Uh
but my concern is if we're being asked
[31:46] to approve
uh material
[31:51] um that that
the agenda include the materials that
[31:57] we're being asked to approve and some
you know when we do the Q&A I'll ask uh
[32:05] for the information and then it's sent
to us after the act, but I think it's
[32:09] important to ensure that it's attached
to the agenda. So, not only are we being
[32:15] able to see that um the changes or
whatever it is that we're approving, but
[32:22] that the community is able to see that
as well. Um that was the only um
[32:31] thing. Let me see here.
So complete agenda backup material and
[32:37] then um
the sum summary of material revisions uh
[32:43] when we are sent uh information that
things are changing and right now it's
[32:50] practice that uh if an agenda item or or
supporting document is changed uh
[32:59] Christine is is good at providing those
changes to us. Um,
[33:06] but again,
I I wanted to make sure that it's in
[33:11] whether it's in the communications
protocol or whether it's in policy, uh,
[33:16] that [clears throat] it states that. Um,
and that was not included.
[33:23] Um [sighs]
[gasps]
[33:24] and then emergency deviation when for
some reason if there's if we have to
[33:31] deviate from um the agenda for some
reason uh my request was that we
[33:38] document uh
in in the meeting records why that
[33:44] deviation occurred.
And I was told during our meeting that
[33:49] uh policy beed
uh and and it was cross referenced also
[33:56] I believe but I didn't see it in that
policy either. Um
[34:02] but
this doesn't my recommendation wouldn't
[34:07] prevent the superintendent from
responding to emergency situations.
[34:11] It's just document making sure that we
document why why we
[34:17] deviated from um the agenda.
So
[34:26] those are three concerns that I still
have about the policy. Um, and
[34:35] I might I would like for us to be able
to have further discussion
[34:42] um to see if we can incorporate um these
items within that policy,
[34:50] if that makes sense.
Mr. Lsonheiser, do we have in our
[34:55] communications protocol the 24-hour
notice? I mean, I see we have 24-hour
[34:59] notice on here and ultimately it is in
our practice. So, where is that within
[35:03] our
>> Well, the the policy does outline that
[35:06] we have the 24 hours and and board
member Van Hook had sent a list of
[35:10] different things. Um we are asking that
uh the board approve as written what we
[35:16] have done with in terms of changing this
policy because going through our legal
[35:20] as well as uh looking at what we
consistently already do. Um we felt like
[35:25] this is the most appropriate thing that
would happen for our [clears throat]
[35:29] policy. When we talk about supporting
materials, supporting materials varies
[35:33] significantly by every single different
um item that comes forward. And I know
[35:39] that we do provide our supporting
materials and we do list those things
[35:43] ahead of time. And if there ever is an
issue, then that is a strong way with
[35:48] the communication that we do have and
the processes we do have in order to be
[35:51] able to provide those because when we do
post them and post them publicly, they
[35:55] are going to be at least 24 hour 24
hours prior to the meeting. In terms of
[36:01] the communication protocols, we did not
include copies of those in there because
[36:05] that is more of a regulation or
something that we do together. But we do
[36:10] follow through with what is accepted in
terms of what the uh emergency
[36:15] communication we already have it in a
different policy and the worry is when
[36:18] you start writing it into both different
policies. I don't want to ever get
[36:22] confused. So that's why we turned around
and referenced and um we have been very
[36:27] consistent about when changes happen
because we do get the agenda to you guys
[36:31] out on Wednesday for the next Tuesday
and sometimes there are things that get
[36:35] updated and so uh that has been a
consistent thing. We I do know that is
[36:39] being added to the communication
protocols that outlines those different
[36:42] times as we're moving forward.
President Wade, my concern was that for
[36:50] instance, if we
uh for instance are being asked to
[36:57] a previous board, let's say approved a
an agreement of of some sort uh whether
[37:03] it's an MOU or an agreement and then now
and and as we know board changes every
[37:09] two years and so we are then asked to
extend that that agreement for an
[37:16] additional five years and the initial
agreement isn't attached to the policy.
[37:23] Uh so we don't necessarily know what the
previous board approved. So my ask is
[37:29] that that agreement should be included
as part of the agenda so that if we're
[37:35] being asked to extend a previously
approved agreement uh that we see what
[37:41] we're approving. Um that's just one
example. board member Van Hook, do you
[37:45] have a specific example because we we
went back. We're very cognizant of the
[37:49] conversation we had and looking like is
there a time when we've asked to approve
[37:53] MUS where we have not provided it for
you?
[37:56] » No, it's not just providing it like when
we we've asked. We've had many instances
[38:02] where I've had to ask for doc
documentation and it's been sent to us
[38:08] uh with the Q&A. Um, and while we were
meeting, I try to go through uh my
[38:15] emails. Um, but we have had those
situations where it's been sent once
[38:21] it's been asked for. Uh,
but I I think that it's not something
[38:26] that we should have to ask for. I think
it should just be included as part of
[38:30] the agenda.
Uh
[38:34] again, whether it's an agreement or even
if it's
[38:41] you know when you talk about like
material changes
[38:45] if there's
[38:50] let's say a 30page contract of and uh
the contract is amended. uh being able
[38:59] to
outline exactly what those changes are
[39:05] um when we talk about identifying, you
know, revisions of material. Um but
[39:12] I've seen it
many times where we've had to ask for
[39:18] documentation. So it is being provided
after we ask. All I'm asking is that it
[39:25] be included without having to ask for
it. Um, that's all. And and as I said, I
[39:32] looked in policy BDA and I did not see
in there where it covers these things
[39:39] that I've mentioned.
>> President Wade. Um, so after I reviewed
[39:46] kind of this, um, I could see the point
that board member Van Hook was kind of
[39:50] making. Obviously, we want to see all
the information. I mean, as a board
[39:54] member, I learned that board member 101,
you need to know how to search in board
[40:00] docs and you need to be thorough and
figure out what are good search words,
[40:03] all that kind of stuff. And um but I
could see how a general statement that
[40:10] is hard to identify like what what
exactly documents would need to be
[40:15] uploaded perhaps and stuff like that.
So, I could see how the district would
[40:20] potentially be confused and um and some
of us like it provided via email. Some
[40:26] of us do utilize the search. So, that's
where it was kind of hard is I think it
[40:31] would be hard for the admin to predict
what specifically. So, I love the Q&A,
[40:38] the option to always ask a question.
They they do such a good job releasing
[40:43] these questions ahead of time so we
really have time. So, I could see kind
[40:47] of the frustrations on both ends, but I
ultimately think that, you know, we've
[40:52] utilized the Q&A.
[40:57] » Um, President Wade, board members, if I
could just um walk through a couple of
[41:02] the concerns. I I did um meet with the
superintendent last week uh to go
[41:07] through the proposed changes and um the
version in front of you is what my
[41:13] recommended changes are. And this is
really intended to comply with the open
[41:16] meeting law, right? So open meeting law
requires that you receive the
[41:20] [clears throat] agenda, the public can
see the agenda and supporting documents
[41:24] um 24 at least 24 hours ahead. Many
districts have a practice that you get
[41:28] the documents much earlier than that,
right? Because your governing board
[41:32] agenda often has voluminous documents.
And so it sounds like that's what the
[41:36] practice is here as well. Again, your
Q&A um practice exceeds what's required
[41:42] by the open that's not in the open
meeting law, right? But that's just
[41:44] another opportunity for board members to
inquire about matters so that when they
[41:48] get to to your meeting things can run
more smoothly.
[41:52] Um
so with regard to member Van Hook's
[41:57] question or issue about the emergency I
did if if I understand your concern
[42:02] correctly um member Van Hook the 24hour
um meeting notice can be waved if
[42:07] there's an actual emergency and that is
contained in policy BEDA.
[42:12] I've never advised a governing board to
hold an emergency meeting because I've
[42:17] never seen one. Um, and so that's very
used very sparingly, but obviously the
[42:22] governing board would have to document
what the true emergency was, why they
[42:26] couldn't provide 24-hour notice to the
to the public. And I'm happy to answer
[42:30] any questions.
>> Um, yes. And and that's exa I that's
[42:35] exactly what I'm asking is that we
document uh which I don't see in the
[42:41] policy is having to ensure that we
document that and I hope we never have
[42:47] to have an emergency meeting like that.
Um I mean there are states where there's
[42:52] a tornado and there's a roof that blew.
I mean there's like districts that have
[42:57] had issues like that.
My concern with that specific section is
[43:02] just to ensure that we're documenting
and put it in policy to say whether it's
[43:07] policy or whether it's regulation to say
let let's make sure we're documenting.
[43:13] Um but
my issue isn't the 24hour notice uh when
[43:19] it comes to backup material. My issue is
ensuring that the documents are attached
[43:27] to the agenda so that we don't have to
ask for it. Um that it's standard
[43:34] practice to provide those documentations
and also
[43:39] um so that the public can see the
documents as well. And as I explained,
[43:46] if it's if we're being asked to extend
an agreement that's been approved by a
[43:52] previous board and that agreement isn't
attached to the agenda,
[43:57] then how do we know where we're exactly?
You know, sometimes they just put like
[44:01] verbiage instead of
attaching the actual document. There's
[44:06] just like language for that specific
agenda item. And in addition to that
[44:13] language, there needs to be the initial
document so we know what we're extending
[44:18] or what we're approving. Um,
President Wade, I don't mean to
[44:24] crosshairs, but saying that there's no
documents provided, that's kind of a
[44:28] mistruth. I feel like that there's the
district always attaches and stuff like
[44:32] that. It's very visible. So, I don't
know.
[44:36] Um, I don't believe your statement is
100% accurate.
[44:41] Um, you can believe whatever you'd like.
Um, but for instance, I believe 5, what
[44:46] was it? 512.
[44:53] Um,
[44:56] maybe it was last meeting, but
there was
[45:02] an agenda item. Uh, I believe it was
last meeting where it was just just
[45:07] language and I don't remember what it
was about at this moment. Um, but we've
[45:12] had several instances where there is no
document and I've had to ask for it and
[45:17] it's been sent to us with the agenda
Q&A. Um, so calling it a mistruth,
[45:24] I don't know what you're even talking
about, but um, the point is ensuring
[45:28] that the documentation um, is attached
uh, and that not only we see it as board
[45:35] members, but the community sees the
document as well. That's all I'm asking.
[45:41] [clears throat]
>> First, I would like to um express
[45:45] gratitude both to the district and board
member Van Hook and that you all work
[45:49] together to, you know, update certain
aspects of this policy with in
[45:54] accordance with the law. Um I I do think
it is important to keep in mind we have
[46:01] access to this information as board
members. We have access to board docs.
[46:05] we can go back through these things and
even greater as a board member when I
[46:10] decide I don't want to go through and
look through that or I'm having problems
[46:13] when I'm looking through it because I
don't exactly know what to look for as
[46:16] board member German brought up or sorry
vice president German um I can ask the
[46:22] district and we get access to that. So I
I
[46:26] it feels as if we're we're making
statements that we're not having access
[46:30] to this information. And at the end of
the day, what I hear repetitively
[46:33] throughout that is yes, you may have had
to ask for it, but you still get it. And
[46:38] I think that is important. And I do
believe that there are certain aspects
[46:40] of this that again, we can go back and
look at because it's as if we have these
[46:45] things in record to be able to do so.
Um, and so I I do feel that at this time
[46:52] I personally am going to recommend what
our lawyers are suggesting in terms of
[46:57] in accordance with the law. As far as
the documentation piece of making sure
[47:01] that we document should we ever have an
emergency and we have to cancel a
[47:04] meeting and we're unable to fulfill
that, which I recognize we have not had
[47:08] to do, that would not be in this
specific policy since it's already
[47:11] addressed in the BEA.
[47:15] » Yes, madam. Yes, that's correct. And
Madam President, if I could just say um
[47:19] that specific portion of the policy, it
says a 24-hour meeting notice is not
[47:24] required in the case of an actual
emergency. However, notice shall be
[47:27] given and procedures followed in
accordance with the open meeting law. So
[47:30] that would cover the document, the
reason why an emergency meeting was
[47:34] called without the 24-hour,
>> meaning we would have to provide that to
[47:37] the public because we are legally
obligated to do so.
[47:39] » You would have to put it on the record
why you're holding an emergency.
[47:41] » Okay. Thank you. Perfect. Um, Miss
[clears throat] Van Hook, do you have
[47:45] more you wish to comment before I make a
motion?
[47:47] » Um, yes. I want to say yes. We when we
ask for it, we get it. But the problem
[47:53] then is the community doesn't get it.
The community doesn't see it um as part
[47:58] of the agenda item. So, that is one of
my concerns.
[48:03] But we can move on. [clears throat]
[48:09] I motion to approve beba school board
operational goals goals. That's weird.
[48:15] Second, Miss Schultz seconded. All those
in favor?
[48:19] » I.
>> I. Motion carries four to zero.
[48:24] » This brings us to
6.3
[48:29] second read and approval of IHA
instructional program. Any questions or
[48:33] comments from the board before I motion?
[48:49] When you look at the change request uh
for number three, I originally requested
[48:53] language to ensure that the uh
curricular and non-curricular programs
[49:00] do not diminish the instructional time
resources
[49:04] um during the policy review. Um
it was proposed alternate language uh
[49:13] and
um we did discuss that language when we
[49:17] met. Um and I understood that uh it
would be incorporated into into the
[49:23] policy. Um
but then when we got the updated policy,
[49:31] it looks like it was removed.
Um
[49:39] let's see. The existing policy
states that uh prioritizing reading and
[49:44] mathematics should not result in neglect
of other curricular area curriculum
[49:49] areas.
And I want to ensure that the reverse is
[49:55] also true. That other programs and
initiatives do not diminish the
[50:00] instructional time and resources
necessary for students to achieve
[50:04] proficiency in our core academic
subjects.
[50:10] Um
and and just based on the language that
[50:15] was put in
as the opposite of that. Um
[50:23] and then
number three instruction and other um
[50:28] let's see sorry.
[50:39] Yeah. So I I would like to just
understand like why would we
[50:46] uh protect other curricular areas from
being neglected?
[50:51] um
[50:54] but not protect core academics.
[51:01] Madame President, board members, um I
again I worked with the administration
[51:05] on to harmonize the ASBA model changes
and board member Van Hook's changes and
[51:12] requested changes and um
essentially I made a modification to
[51:20] number two, I believe, paragraph two. um
because that incorporates a program
[51:26] around math, mathematics,
and then uh the literacy coach. And then
[51:32] as far as number three, I I did not
recommend making that change because of
[51:36] the um the detail and the administrative
burden that would be created by this um
[51:42] assessment that the superintendent would
have to do.
[51:47] Can you explain what the burden would be
to ensure that we're not neglecting
[51:52] course subjects?
[51:57] » Sure. Um so member Van Hook um board
members, this was just very specific.
[52:03] Obviously the superintendent is charged
with ensuring that many of these things
[52:09] already occur, right? So not neglecting
other areas of the curriculum. Um, it's
[52:14] just I I've not seen another governing
board adopt a policy with a specific
[52:18] requirement on a superintendent um as
part of an initiative that that seemed
[52:24] more the administrative function
delegated to the superintendent.
[52:28] » Okay. I I I'm sorry. I'm I'm a bit
baffled that we
[52:34] would put in language that would protect
uh
[52:45] programs
um
[52:52] over core academic subjects. That that
just doesn't make sense to me. Um, and
[52:58] when you say you haven't seen other
other boards, but at the same time, I
[53:03] think
it's our role as board members to uh be
[53:08] able to work work on policies that
impact our own district and it shouldn't
[53:13] matter that other boards don't do it.
Um, it's our role to do it for our own
[53:18] district. Uh but I I am truly baffled
that we wouldn't want to prioritize core
[53:27] academic subjects over other other
programs. But board member Van Hook, if
[53:32] I may, um almost every aspect of our
children's education is geared towards
[53:39] core subjects. Uh it's part of the
reason why those core subjects are
[53:43] tested every spring. Um, and so I
[53:49] I think it's important to keep in mind
every other aspect of our educational
[53:55] policies and procedures and how what
those are geared towards. And we have
[53:59] spent so much time with respect to our
focus on student academic performance on
[54:03] these tests because they are mandated by
the state that we have to do them. And
[54:07] so much of your child's time is spent
taking benchmark assessments. For those
[54:10] of you who have kids, you've gotten
notice in the past couple of weeks of
[54:13] the benchmark assessments that they have
been taking. All of those are core
[54:16] subjects. So there is ample policy that
is centered around making sure our core
[54:21] subjects are of focus. So, it would make
sense to me, at least in my perspective,
[54:26] why we should have a policy that says,
hey, because we are focusing in all
[54:30] these other areas, it's still important
that we maintain a well-rounded
[54:34] education because we also recognize and
understand the data that goes into
[54:38] things like art, music, other types of
studies, social studies, for example,
[54:43] that gives critical thinking. All of
those classes help perform in core
[54:47] academics. So I I think and correct me
if I'm I'm wrong here from a at least
[54:53] the way I understand this from a legal
perspective is that because we already
[54:56] do it in these other areas saying it yet
again it's kind of like we just talked
[55:00] about with our previous agenda item
having it in multiple places can create
[55:05] problems for us when it comes to
updating new laws or redundancies and
[55:09] those types of things. Is that correct?
[55:14] Madam President, board also I would also
say it it could run a f a foul of
[55:18] compliance, right? So if you're
directing the superintendent to do
[55:20] something and it's not cross cross
reference in policy correctly, you know,
[55:24] that could be a challenge. Um, I just
wanted to address member Van Hook, you
[55:28] know, the statement you made about
customizing policies according to your
[55:32] community's needs is absolutely correct.
You know, Higgley has many custom
[55:36] policies that aren't the model ASBA
policy. That's just my legal advice and
[55:42] you know your board is welcome to take
my advice or not take my advice advice
[55:45] but that was just my recommendation to
to the board.
[55:49] » Thank you. Uh yeah I just our our
I think the district's priority should
[55:57] always be our core subjects. uh and but
the way that the existing policy
[56:06] it states that prioritizing reading and
mathematics should not result in neglect
[56:10] of other curricular u curricular areas.
I just I want to ensure that we are in
[56:19] fact uh prioritizing our core academic
subjects because
[56:25] that is what our kids are graded on.
that is what our district is graded on.
[56:31] Um, and
those have to be a priority. And I just
[56:37] I think that the way that the language
currently is in the policy, uh, it it
[56:43] reverses what should be a priority. Um
my other concern also is uh for
[56:55] change number four
we had parental rights language in there
[57:01] and that language was completely removed
after uh
[57:08] it was reviewed by um Miss O'Brien. And
I'm curious to know why parental rights
[57:15] um
was removed, parental notification,
[57:19] parental rights, parental consent.
[57:30] It's for uh section F uh mental health
instruction.
[57:35] Again,
I I just thought that that was redundant
[57:40] because that's in other board policies,
[57:47] but I mean that wasn't
that's been in our policy. Uh and
[57:57] that wasn't even a request to change.
that's something you decided to remove
[58:01] when in fact
it should have remained because parents
[58:06] should be notified. Parents should give
consent uh and
[58:16] it I I just it should have never been
removed. Miss O'Brien, um what you mean
[58:22] by redundant is that again we have other
policies that mandate we have to notify
[58:26] students uh and students parents of
specific uh classroom content that
[58:31] they're going through. Opt out is
provided in all kinds of our policies
[58:34] with respect to like English for example
and books and all of these things. Is
[58:38] that what you mean by redundant?
>> Yes, that is what I mean by redundant.
[58:41] [clears throat] Those policies are
believe I believe are housed in chapter
[58:44] K.
>> Okay. Again, I am going to be inclined
[58:47] to listen to the legal advice of the
individual we employ to
[58:53] understand the law and recommend
policies that are in accordance with the
[58:56] law that looks at uh you know all
aspects of that. Again, to be clear, we
[59:02] still have parental rights. Those are
addressed in multiple policies, one of
[59:06] which we'll be talking about again later
today. Um so I think that's important as
[59:11] far as clarity. Miss Van Hook, do your
mic is still on. Do you still have more
[59:15] questions or comments before I motion?
>> Yeah, I mean clearly
[59:19] I don't oppose the entire policy. Uh,
but I think that
[59:26] it
>> should be included in there because this
[59:32] specifically talks about
certain instruction
[59:38] and
[59:41] yes, I understand
we have um
[59:47] clearly Arizona parental bill of rights.
Uh but when it comes to a policy that
[59:54] discusses specific instruction, I think
it's important for people to understand
[1:00:01] that that specific instruction
um
[1:00:06] would require parental notification and
consent,
[1:00:11] but we can move on.
>> Sure. um for future. You also can motion
[1:00:16] if you wish to put one of those things
and ultimately you may feel that way but
[1:00:20] the rest of the board won't or wouldn't
if we're not motioning for that kind of
[1:00:24] deal then it's not an option but you can
motion and we can vote on it to see if
[1:00:27] we include it in that. I think at the
end of the last meeting when we had
[1:00:31] conversations with that you had
recommendations again just like our
[1:00:34] previous policy I am grateful for the
opportunity that we as board members
[1:00:38] have to work with our administrators and
our legal team to say hey here are some
[1:00:42] of the things that I have and we have
updated those changes and and especially
[1:00:46] when they are you know beneficial with
respect to the law but again I am
[1:00:51] inclined to listen to our legal advice
on what we should include our policies
[1:00:56] » right and president Just so you're
aware, I don't just
[1:01:02] uh sit there and create these policies
on my own. Um I do work with uh many
[1:01:09] attorneys that I I am in contact with to
help me with language. Uh so I don't
[1:01:14] want you to assume that this is just me
without uh an expert um sitting and just
[1:01:22] creating policies. Um that I am in fact
working with attorneys. I know I
[1:01:27] understand that and that you have
mentioned that before. I find that
[1:01:30] concerning. I find that concerning
because again we as a board and as a
[1:01:34] district have legal employee that we
purchase and we pay for. I have no idea
[1:01:40] any of the legal advice that you have
received. Who are they from? What are
[1:01:43] their interests or any of that? like I I
I recommend and I I I commend your
[1:01:49] desire to, you know, clearly seek out
other alternatives, but um the idea that
[1:01:56] just because you do that means that
therefore it is something that is
[1:02:00] appropriate here, I have concerns with
because there's a there's a lot of
[1:02:04] things that are taking place there that
that none of us have any eyes on. Um and
[1:02:10] that's concerning. uh President Wade. Uh
and it's not something that uh I have
[1:02:16] every right as a board member to be able
to get um help from people to be able to
[1:02:22] write policy. Um so if that concerns
you, I'm sorry. Um I think that that's a
[1:02:28] a personal issue. Uh but as board
members, we have a right to do that. Um
[1:02:33] I can contact somebody from ASBA to help
me with my policy.
[1:02:37] um there's several different
organizations that I can contact uh in
[1:02:42] order to help me with the policy. And so
if you think that that's concerning,
[1:02:45] then you might want to uh better
understand your role uh because we have
[1:02:52] the ability to do that as board members.
Um and I have asked uh several times
[1:02:58] that I I would love to be able to
discuss policy with our own attorney.
[1:03:03] Um, but that has not been um
something that I've been able to do. Um,
[1:03:11] if it's something I can do, that'd be
great. I'd love to meet with our
[1:03:14] attorney and discuss policy uh
especially somebody who is familiar with
[1:03:18] our district. Um, but again, that has
not been an option. So I have to do um
[1:03:25] and reach out to people that um are
willing to help um at the time instead
[1:03:32] of after the fact.
So again having a policy having our
[1:03:38] lawyers look at it that would be
conferring with our lawyers is it not
[1:03:42] lawyer I recommend these policies these
are the interests that I have lawyer
[1:03:46] provides feedback back of what they
recommend and what they don't recommend.
[1:03:49] And to be clear I never said you don't
have the opportunity to do that. You get
[1:03:52] to do whatever you want and and speak to
whomever you wish. What I'm saying is I
[1:03:58] am inclined to go with the legal advice
that we pay for.
[1:04:04] Right? And it would be wonderful to be
able to utilize the legal advice that we
[1:04:09] pay for. The problem is I don't have
that opportunity that I've asked for
[1:04:15] repeatedly. I would love to be able to
meet with our attorney to be able to go
[1:04:19] over policy, but I think we're getting
off track here.
[1:04:22] So I'm [snorts] going to point of order
this.
[1:04:25] » I motion to approve IHA in structural
program.
[1:04:28] » Second.
>> That would be Miss Schultz.
[1:04:31] All those in favor?
>> I I
[1:04:34] » I
>> I motion carries four to zero. 6.4
[1:04:37] second read and approval of JJAB limited
open closed forum. Any questions or
[1:04:42] comments from the board before I motion?
[1:04:46] President Wade. The only change I have
is where it says if the principal
[1:04:51] chooses to accept materials,
uh, it's a period and then the, it needs
[1:04:57] to be comma and then the.
[1:05:03] [snorts]
[1:05:06] » Mr. Lenheiser, do you see where that is?
[snorts]
[1:05:10] » Thank you.
>> Yes, I found that.
[1:05:15] » All right. I motion to approve JJAB
limited open close forum with said
[1:05:19] comma. [snorts]
>> Second.
[1:05:23] » That [clears throat] would be Miss
German.
[1:05:26] That is a J. All those in favor?
>> I
[1:05:29] » I
>> I. Motion carries four to zero. This
[1:05:32] brings us to discussion and possible
action regarding policy KB, parental
[1:05:36] involvement in education. Board member
Van Hook asked for discussion on this
[1:05:40] policy. Board member Van Hook.
>> Thank you. Um
[1:05:45] I understand that the point of uh per
our discussion per my discussion with uh
[1:05:52] Mr. Latenheiser uh we talked about how
Arizona law has parental rights um and
[1:06:03] that the district must comply with the
Supreme Court ruling uh regardless
[1:06:08] whether or not we pass this policy or
not. Um but that's precisely why I
[1:06:14] believe that [clears throat] these
protections should be uh reflected in
[1:06:19] our policy. Um our policy should explain
the rights of parent that the rights
[1:06:27] parents have and uh establish procedure
for the district employees to follow. Uh
[1:06:35] parents should not have to research
Supreme Court decisions and interpret
[1:06:39] statutes to understand how their rights
how to exercise their rights uh when
[1:06:44] they have a religious objection to
instructional material or activities.
[1:06:49] Our current policy already addresses
parental objections to harmful learning
[1:06:55] material and provides advanced access to
instructional material. However, it does
[1:07:00] not expressly explain the process of
religious accommodation requests, what
[1:07:06] happens while a request is pending or
how the district will provide meaningful
[1:07:11] advanced notice when a rel religious
conflict is reasonably anticipated.
[1:07:16] Parents cannot meaningfully consider
whether to request an accommodation if
[1:07:22] they don't know what particular material
will be used for their children.
[1:07:27] The district may believe a lesson has a
positive educational purpose, but that
[1:07:32] does not eliminate its obligation to
request applicable parent parental
[1:07:36] religious um to respect applicable
parental religious rights. My proposed
[1:07:43] changes would make those protections
more visible to parents and establish a
[1:07:48] clear procedure for staff.
They would also provide
[1:07:54] that if administration recommend
recommends denying a religious opt out
[1:07:59] request, the governing board makes the
final determination.
[1:08:03] Whether we amend this policy or not, the
district must comply with applicable
[1:08:08] Arizona law and constitutional
requirements established by the Supreme
[1:08:13] Court. Putting those protections into
policy KB helps ensure that parents
[1:08:18] understand their right, staff
understands their responsibilities, and
[1:08:22] the district has a clear, consistent
process for complying with the law.
[1:08:28] Um, and so
that is the purpose of my
[1:08:33] recommendations because of the Supreme
Court ruling. And uh
[1:08:41] if a parent does object,
then that child has to be prevented from
[1:08:49] participating in that material
until
[1:08:55] the teacher and administration figure
out what alternative that student
[1:09:01] alternative activity that student can
do.
[1:09:04] uh they can't continue to
expose the child to something that their
[1:09:09] parents are objecting to. So these are
things that I think needs to be uh
[1:09:16] whether again it's regulations or
whether it's in policy uh we have to
[1:09:24] abide by these laws. Um,
[1:09:31] so
[1:09:35] you know, I I'd love to discuss it
whether you know, how do you how do you
[1:09:40] foresee us
upholding
[1:09:45] these parental rights and and these laws
without
[1:09:53] putting it in in the policy or
regulation?
[1:09:58] Miss O'Brien, can you help me understand
our current policy KB? Does it not
[1:10:02] already include in accordance with the
law?
[1:10:07] Your policy KB, you have a regulation
KBR that operationalizes Arizona law.
[1:10:14] And then um your policy KB
has verbatim the parents [snorts] bill
[1:10:20] of rights. Um and then you have a KBEB.
Um
[1:10:27] and also there's cross reference to
policy I J which goes to instructional
[1:10:32] materials and then in um chapter A your
policy ABAA also talks about parents
[1:10:38] rights. So it is already um discussed um
quite a bit throughout your policies. I
[1:10:43] I don't recommend including the changes.
The parents bill of rights is very
[1:10:48] rigorous. Nationally, Arizona's at the
forefront of parents rights, you know,
[1:10:52] with regard to directing the moral and
the religious upbringing of a child. And
[1:10:56] so, um, just because of all the
different places those those options are
[1:11:00] in policy currently, I think it it meets
the legal requirements, um, in Arizona
[1:11:06] law and the case of Mahammud versus
Taylor. Um, if the board wished to to
[1:11:12] look at the regulation, it could do so,
but looking at the face of it, it
[1:11:16] complies with the legal requirements
currently in place.
[1:11:21] » Okay. Thank you,
>> President [clears throat] W. Miss
[1:11:23] O'Brien. So
with all these cross reference policies,
[1:11:32] where
would we
[1:11:36] see uh
if a parent does have a religious
[1:11:41] objection to something
[1:11:47] staff does at that
sit with that situation?
[1:11:53] » Sure. Um,
President Wade, um, member Van Hook, um,
[1:11:58] your policy KBR,
um, says parents who wish to object to
[1:12:02] any learning materials or learning
activities may do so under the
[1:12:06] provisions of J KBN regulations. It
doesn't specify who that objection goes
[1:12:12] to, but um, I would say it goes to any
adult. you know, if a parent received
[1:12:17] that, they would have a a professional
duty to report that to an administrator
[1:12:22] and then honor that objection.
Miss Van Hook, I can express at least
[1:12:27] from my experience in the past when a
parent has recommended it to me um in
[1:12:31] that they don't want their kid to
participate with this specific thing.
[1:12:35] So, like let's say there was per our
policies something that we were doing in
[1:12:39] content that needed the parent
permission slip to get sent home. when
[1:12:43] it does not come back, regardless if
I've heard from the parent or not, that
[1:12:46] kid gets removed from that assignment.
They're not allowed to participate. Um,
[1:12:50] when the parent contacts, we ultimately
set that kid up and discuss with the
[1:12:55] parent what the alternative assignment
is and what that plan looks like for
[1:12:58] that kid. Um, I have also had a
situation, it wasn't for my class
[1:13:01] specifically, but instead of the parent
coming to the teacher, the parent went
[1:13:04] to that admin, and then the admin went
through the process of working with that
[1:13:08] teacher and that parent for that kid's
alternative assignment.
[1:13:12] » Okay.
Um I just want to ensure that uh
[1:13:17] aside from the regular objections to
whether it's explicit content or
[1:13:23] whatever
that
[1:13:27] everybody is aware of the Mimmude versus
Taylor ruling and that and that
[1:13:34] specifically applies to just religious
um beliefs. Um and that in those
[1:13:40] instances
that the accommodation is there just
[1:13:46] like we would accommodate anything else.
Um that's my main concern.
[1:13:53] That's all. Thanks.
Okay. So, um from a legal perspective,
[1:13:58] if we're not motioning, can we just move
on or do I have to do something in order
[1:14:01] since there is no motion at hand if
we're not um going to make any changes
[1:14:08] to this policy?
U Madam President, you just agenda to to
[1:14:14] discuss and take possible action
regarding the policy. So if the board
[1:14:18] doesn't wish to take any action, they
could just move on.
[1:14:21] » Okay. Because the possible Miss Van
Hook, do you want to motion or are you
[1:14:24] fine if we move on?
>> I I um President Wade, I I don't know if
[1:14:29] the tech can pull this up. I mean,
obviously everybody who's watching has
[1:14:33] like got some eyes on this, right? I
would hope so because I am so grateful
[1:14:38] this uh Arizona is really generous with
parental rights and that is something
[1:14:42] once I gotten more in this area um
noticed that uh in here it's
[1:14:49] immunization opt out um it also talks
about uh content parent choice to opt
[1:14:56] out um I I mean yes this is a strict
policy so the wording is not
[1:15:05] long, but it is very specific and I feel
like it's very thorough and gets to the
[1:15:11] point, gets to the meat, which um which
I feel like we're treading on more
[1:15:16] procedure perhaps. Um so I'm really kind
of confident in this policy. So I hope
[1:15:22] that you guys got some eyes on it. And
um let's see, what did I write in my
[1:15:27] notes?
uh par parental right and and per the
[1:15:32] parents bill of rights is constantly
referenced in here. [snorts]
[1:15:38] So I'm comfortable where we're at
legislatively. We don't need to change
[1:15:42] anything like the previous things on
there. So I'm comfortable where we're
[1:15:46] at. Something else I'd like to add for
parents who are listening at the start
[1:15:51] of every year we have curriculum night.
Um come to curriculum night, learn what
[1:15:55] your kids are going to be going through
for the whole semester. So, especially
[1:15:58] if you have concerns as a parent with
respect to your religious belief at home
[1:16:01] or other just personal beliefs in
general, if it is something that you
[1:16:04] have genuine concern about, come to
curriculum night. Um, we even offset the
[1:16:09] times if you have kids that are
elementary or middle and or high school
[1:16:12] so you can make it to all of them.
>> President Wade, it even has in here
[1:16:16] library um references that parents
always have access to that. Obviously,
[1:16:20] curriculum, we all know that we always
have access to that, right? Reach out to
[1:16:23] the district if you guys have any
questions. We also do that curriculum
[1:16:27] review before we adopt anything. So, you
know, and whether or not parents show
[1:16:31] up, that's up up to them. Um, but I feel
like this is really thorough.
[1:16:40] All right, I take it that I'm going to
move on to 6.6 discussion and possible
[1:16:44] action regarding board self-evaluation.
Um, it says board discussion on the
[1:16:49] holding of the board self-evaluation.
Every year we've kind of voted on it.
[1:16:52] Um, in the time frame that I've been on
here, we've done it some years and some
[1:16:56] years not. Um, I'm I'm open to
discussion. I'll I'll lead off the
[1:17:00] discussion in that I don't recommend we
have it this year. A, we don't have a
[1:17:04] full board currently. Um, and so I think
that plays a part in this. Also, in at
[1:17:11] least the four years I have been on the
board, so I recognize that's a a short
[1:17:14] window. um the year that we had uh an
election in which possible seats were
[1:17:21] going to be changed um we didn't um so I
am on the side of not doing that but I'm
[1:17:27] I'm willing to discuss with the group
how everybody feels with respect to uh
[1:17:31] board eval
[1:17:38] » I'm okay with passing this this year
>> with not doing so that is correct okay
[1:17:44] so we got two
I agree with it being election year.
[1:17:48] » So then why don't I motion for that and
then we'll we'll see where that lands.
[1:17:51] Great. Good call. I motion to not
conduct a board self evaluation.
[1:17:55] » Second.
>> That would be Miss Schultz seconding.
[1:17:58] All those in favor?
>> I I
[1:18:00] » I motion carries 4 to zero.
6.7 approval of overnight andor
[1:18:07] outofstate staff travel for journalism.
Any questions or comments from the board
[1:18:11] before I motion?
President Wade,
[1:18:15] I did ask for this to be pulled. Um,
just based on my research,
[1:18:22] I understand that uh
[1:18:27] the individual attending this,
it's a volunteer role. Uh,
[1:18:35] he's providing, he's doing a
presentation. Uh, I get that. Uh but
[1:18:40] again this isn't simply a journalism
skills conference.
[1:18:47] They actually
uh
[1:18:51] they require attendance uh for certifi
for they require attendance at
[1:18:58] designated sessions for a specific
official DEI certificate. Now, we aren't
[1:19:06] provided sessions. We aren't provided uh
material as to
[1:19:14] what they plan to attend, what they plan
not to attend. Um,
[1:19:19] but the organizers
are specifically soliciting uh
[1:19:26] presentations addressing
things that I've shared concerns about.
[1:19:32] um
addressing DEI representation, newsroom
[1:19:37] diversity, and um
they even talk about uh equitable
[1:19:46] grading and sexual orientation, gender
identity.
[1:19:52] I mean, what that has to do with
journalism is beyond me, but
[1:20:00] I've said this before and I'll say it
again. I support professional
[1:20:03] development focused on whatever the
skill is. Uh,
[1:20:09] but when they
include,
[1:20:14] [snorts] you know, identity based
programming and um
[1:20:19] all that other
garbage. Uh I think it it dilutes the
[1:20:30] the purpose. Um so that's my concern
with this. Um
[1:20:38] so we are aware this is the national
high school journalism convention um
[1:20:42] which also includes aspects of yearbook
um and journalism [clears throat] in
[1:20:47] general for the high school level. Um I
I recognize your concerns with respect
[1:20:52] to DEI. One of the things that I think
is important, our high school campuses
[1:20:55] have all manner of clubs. Um and it
would be important for the individuals
[1:20:59] who are including those clubs in their
yearbook or including those clubs in a
[1:21:05] newspaper write up and those kinds of
things to um you know be accepting of
[1:21:09] the fact that there are students of all
types uh that could exist on their
[1:21:14] campuses. I think it's remarkable that
we have one of our very own presenting
[1:21:19] um at this and I think that's great. Uh
so yeah, I I think uh it is to be
[1:21:25] commended the idea that one of ours gets
to be chosen to present at a national
[1:21:29] convention.
[1:21:33] » President Wade, we have a DEI um waiver
that all attendees for trainings uh sign
[1:21:40] that they will not attend.
those. Was this signed for this
[1:21:46] individual?
>> Yes. All of our employees do that.
[1:21:52] » Okay. I motion to approve the staff
travel to National High School
[1:21:56] Journalism Convention.
>> Second.
[1:21:58] » That would be Miss Schultz seconding.
All those in favor?
[1:22:01] » I.
>> I. No. Uh. All those opposed?
[1:22:06] » Nay.
>> Motion carries 3 to one. Does anyone
[1:22:09] have any future uh requests for Sorry, I
read that wrong. It's apparently later
[1:22:13] in my brain. Does anyone have any
requests for future agenda items? That's
[1:22:17] how that sentence should go.
Not today.
[1:22:23] » All right. Next time we'll get you in
October. I motion to adjourn this
[1:22:27] meeting.
>> Second.
[1:22:28] » That would be Miss Van Hook seconding.
All those in favor. I motion carries
[1:22:34] four to zero. Meeting adjourned. Drive
safe everybody.