[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6682869,"mediaKeyId","2173860-7478a2e2a14a5fa8b9275dc1090c204a","parentId",2173860,"title","Scottsdale Unified approves new contracted student-transportation vendor, extends existing service during transition","audioSeconds",3227,"startMs",2853000,"endMs",6080000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173860-7478a2e2a14a5fa8b9275dc1090c204a&start=2853&end=6080","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173860-7478a2e2a14a5fa8b9275dc1090c204a/thumbnail_2853000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6682869/Arizona/Scottsdale-Unified-approves-new-contracted-student-transportation-vendor-extends-existing-service-during-transition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682869-401d7303b649bbeb3e5df8b706bb01a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032487&Signature=nZArrKAK2pCHw4ei9CxvM4W2X-buirsi6kxmvenmGLosVUy33-ljJmnTXtI7j8TrP1eWBl04Y-Tc97T6KEDRlwCoZDjhr3F0B0GRZCg8GvqjUhYSQaez3b2kL6ezQaFSdELVxI8suIuiGBNpwdbgbQj3UAZxgcpgaitL8VpP9kkbMN63e-6TwEmhIHsTZJTmTxrpO-Lq6194i4bq3YbfFnYfbv-aBxRp1du0y9zr3K7~-jdJTjR4fLd9myQ7cv9ddw89X2InjHsZCFdeQo0g9GDYN2XNvuqJLEObDvf8yaJBMhQ5BuFVsoNzWg79U9xasQvLUdxUx-EydyvjoUObpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Scottsdale Unified District (4240)","date","2025-01-01T06:31:05.547Z","article","Scottsdale Unified School District’s Governing Board voted 5-0 Tuesday to authorize two contract actions intended to stabilize and expand contracted student transportation: (1) use of the SAFE GPPCS cooperative contract to engage First Alt (the alternative-transportation division of First Student) for specialized routes, and (2) a short-term extension of the district’s existing HopSkipDrive contract under the Mohave Educational Services Arizona Cooperative to preserve service while the new provider onboards.

The votes follow months of operational disruption described during public comment and staff briefings and come after staff told the board they expect to begin transferring trips to the new vendor in January with full setup by the end of January or early February.

District officials said the contracts are intended to add capacity for specialized trips (including special-education, McKinney‑Vento and other individualized transports), to standardize background checks and training across drivers, and to provide more predictable daily assignments for families and schools. Staff estimated the remaining district cost through the remainder of the fiscal year at about $300,000 if the First Alt contract is used for a portion of service this year.

Greg Prettyman, vice president of First Alt/First Student, told the board the company will apply the same driver vetting, training and drug-and-alcohol monitoring used for First Student school bus drivers to all alternate-vehicle drivers. “Every vehicle will have a camera, and so that will be nonnegotiable,” Prettyman said. He also described assigning the same driver and vehicle to a route “so it’ll function much like a bus route” and praised parent-facing app features that allow parents to track vehicles and cancel trips, reducing calls to district staff.

Patricia Pellet, a public commenter who described long-standing problems with third‑party transportation for her special‑needs son, urged strong safeguards for vulnerable students. In response to public concerns, district staff and the First Alt representative said every contracted vehicle would have an on-board camera, drivers would undergo local, state and federal background checks and continuous monitoring, and dispatch staff would include bilingual personnel. Board members asked whether the parent app and other digital features support accessibility; Prettyman said the app itself is not multilingual or equipped with voice access for visually impaired users, but dispatch staff can handle multiple languages and live support is available by phone.

Board members discussed transition logistics and the need to avoid sudden changes for families. Assistant staff said bringing on a second vendor gives the district flexibility to maintain trips when the first vendor cannot supply drivers. The board approved the First Alt contract use (called out in staff materials as using the SAFE GPPCS cooperative contract) and separately approved the Mohave Cooperative extension for HopSkipDrive so families will not lose service during onboarding.

Votes at a glance

- Approve use of contracted transportation services using the SAFE GPPCS cooperative contract (First Alt / First Student): approved 5-0. Motion moved/seconded; aye votes recorded and motion passed.
- Approve extension/use of contracted transportation services using the Mohave Educational Services Arizona Cooperative contract (to continue HopSkipDrive during transition): approved 5-0. Motion moved/seconded; aye votes recorded and motion passed.

What officials said next

Staff recommended both actions as operationally neutral steps to avoid service gaps while a new vendor is onboarded. District staff said they plan a staggered transition during January so families and schools receive training on any apps and processes before changes take effect.

Clarifying details

- Estimated district expenditure for the remainder of the year if First Alt provides a portion of service: approximately $300,000 (staff estimate presented at the meeting).
- Transition timeline: staff said onboarding and training would aim to have First Alt operational by late January to early February.
- Cancellation policy: a two‑hour notice prior to scheduled pickup is required to avoid a cancellation fee, consistent with existing vendor practices described in the meeting.
- Safety measures: every contracted vehicle will have an on‑board camera; drivers will undergo state/local/federal background checks and ongoing monitoring; drivers will be issued visible IDs and placards and wear identifying vests during initial weeks.
- Parent app features: vehicle tracking, trip cancellation; dispatch staff provide live multilingual phone support (staff said roughly 50% of dispatch staff are multilingual). The app is not equipped with built‑in voice access for visually impaired users, according to the vendor representative.

Discussion vs. decision

Board discussion and public comment focused on safety, prior failures of third‑party transport for special‑needs students and the operational need for a reliable vendor. The formal decisions were the two contract approvals described above.

Speakers (attributed in text)

- Greg Prettyman — Vice president, First Alt / First Student (business representative).
- Miss Crozier — District staff (introduced vendor presentation).
- Mr. Jacobson — District staff (operations/transportation discussion).
- Patricia Pellet — Public commenter and parent concerned about special‑needs transportation and past safety incidents.
- Libby Hartwells — Governing Board president (asked follow‑up questions).

Proper names

Scottsdale Unified School District; First Alt (First Student); HopSkipDrive; SAFE GPPCS cooperative contract; Mohave Educational Services Arizona Cooperative.

Community relevance

Geographies: Scottsdale Unified School District (city of Scottsdale). Impact groups: students requiring specialized transport (special education, McKinney‑Vento/homeless students, foster youth), families dependent on third‑party transportation.

Searchable tags

transportation, student safety, special education, First Student, HopSkipDrive, contracting

Provenance

- topicintro: {\"block_id\":\"s9453.11\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"My name is Greg Prettyman. I am the vice president of First Alt, which is the alternative transportation division of First Student.\" ,\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"}

- topicfinish: {\"block_id\":\"s10154.95\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":80,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion passes 5-0.\" ,\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SUSD Governing Board Regular Meeting and Executive Session 12/10/2024","oneSentenceSummary","Scottsdale Unified School District’s Governing Board voted 5-0 to contract with First Alt (First Student) for alternative student transportation and to extend the district’s existing HopSkipDrive contract during a transition period.","taxTitle","Scottsdale Unified District (4240), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",13623,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6682863,"Scottsdale Unified approves staff hiring and credentialing policies; board rejects change to suicide-prevention instruction policy",236,6636000,6872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173860-7478a2e2a14a5fa8b9275dc1090c204a&start=6636&end=6872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173860-7478a2e2a14a5fa8b9275dc1090c204a/thumbnail_6636000.jpg","/articles/6682863/Arizona/Scottsdale-Unified-approves-staff-hiring-and-credentialing-policies-board-rejects-change-to-suicide-prevention-instruction-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682863-c11c6ec569549db42e849982f2f5019b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032487&Signature=c10JhRz91Xiwa10a4VhnUwbRsp7014U8YBd1FSa3eJoJqARW0PVHODUG~MNCLZidvQK4V~e2z8mcl5qWDqo6-225KUw7594mY3i1oLJjwnPt5iER03XHUbB2mKn198R8pBUAmnkt88XekLNmkpNhaqTxxS6LP4vO7hdOm51U1H74tMK6xkYJBu6moEVhfmvEIoQPuCVl6fKgBB-JWo1uxiFjJEZQ1EOrRgdTBmFHx5UmhgF4lxo0p~lPiVwy33-Y4tzpzXceusIAK6EmOV5RtSuWrGRc34ClC43Wln-rWJWIEpaOhPaMMgguL6g5oheRFytE6VooPl81FHhwOr1waw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scottsdale Unified School District’s Governing Board on Tuesday approved several personnel-related policy updates on second reading and declined to adopt a proposed revision to the district’s suicide-prevention instruction policy (IHAMD).

In roll-call votes, the board approved second readings of these governing‑board policies: GCF (professional staff hiring), GCFC (professional staff certification and credentialing requirements), GDF (support staff hiring) and GDFA (support staff qualifications and requirements). Each of those four policy items passed by a 5-0 vote.

Later in the meeting the board considered second-reading revisions to IHAMD, the district policy on instruction and training in suicide prevention. After discussion, a motion to approve the IHAMD revision failed 2-3. Board minutes and discussion show the motion received support from two members and opposition from three; the clerk announced the motion failed 2 to 3.

During public comment before the action votes, Marta Wabanowska, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action who said she does not live in the district, urged the board to make firearm safe‑storage education an opt‑out program (so all students would receive the instruction unless their families actively opt out). “Implementing a policy to educate parents and guardians about safe firearm storage is a common sense and proactive step to protect our children and community,” she said. The written and oral comments argued that making the instruction opt‑out would reach more students and reduce preventable injuries and suicides.

Board member Julie Sadowski said she had reviewed the district’s earlier policy discussion records and believed that prior board debate intended the firearm-safety portion of the policy to be opt‑out. She referenced a prior board discussion and asked for care that final policy language reflect the board’s public intent. “I went back and reviewed this previous policy that was discussed in the March 22, 2020 2 meeting, which passed 5-0 by the governing board,” Sadowski said, and requested that when extended discussion occurs the final product be brought back for additional review.

Two motions related to policy IHAMD were put before the board: a motion to approve the second reading of the proposed IHAMD changes (which failed 2-3) and the previously mentioned motions approving the four hiring/credentialing policies (each approved 5-0).

What the votes mean

- GCF (professional staff hiring): approved 5-0.
- GCFC (professional staff certification and credentialing requirements): approved 5-0.
- GDF (support staff hiring): approved 5-0.
- GDFA (support staff qualifications and requirements): approved 5-0.
- IHAMD (instruction and training in suicide prevention; second read): motion to approve failed 2-3; policy was not adopted at second reading.

Discussion vs. decision

Board members asked that policy language align with prior intent and public discussion. One board member explicitly requested that when policy text is controversial the final language be returned to the board for review before a second read. Public commenters asked that firearm-safety instruction be universal unless families opt out; the proposed policy language presented at second reading did not carry the changes requested by those commenters and failed to receive majority support.

Speakers (attributed)

- Julie Sadowski — Governing Board member (comment on prior board discussion and policy intent).
- Marta Wabanowska — Public commenter (volunteer, Moms Demand Action).
- Mr. Bozzon — District staff (fielded questions on items 11C–11G).

Proper names

Scottsdale Unified School District; Moms Demand Action; policy identifiers GCF, GCFC, GDF, GDFA, IHAMD.

Clarifying details

- Outcome: four personnel and credentialing policies approved unanimously (5-0); IHAMD revision failed on a 2-3 vote.
- Public request: commenters asked that firearm safe‑storage instruction be opt‑out rather than opt‑in; the board did not adopt that change as part of the IHAMD revision at second reading.

Community relevance

Geographies: Scottsdale Unified School District. Impact groups: students (universal instruction questions), parents and guardians, school staff.

Searchable tags

policies, personnel, suicide prevention, firearm safety, board votes

Provenance

- topicintro: {\"block_id\":\"s10236.4\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"We will now move back to action item 11c, second read and approval governing board policy GCF regarding professional staff hiring.\" ,\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"}

- topicfinish: {\"block_id\":\"s10511.995\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":80,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"That motion fails, 2 to 3.\" ,\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}","At its Dec. 10 meeting the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board approved four personnel and credentialing policies on second reading but rejected proposed revisions to IHAMD, the suicide‑prevention instruction policy, after a 2-3 vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6682859,"Scottsdale Unified reports strong test results overall, sets math-focused goals after pandemic-era learning shifts",1074,4561000,5635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173860-7478a2e2a14a5fa8b9275dc1090c204a&start=4561&end=5635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173860-7478a2e2a14a5fa8b9275dc1090c204a/thumbnail_4561000.jpg","/articles/6682859/Arizona/Scottsdale-Unified-reports-strong-test-results-overall-sets-math-focused-goals-after-pandemic-era-learning-shifts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682859-f90d85b06186708337d21abc5d165ccd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032487&Signature=IOOnYG6itWzCMqXKXIeJX6KBLnS5eLqY4mzSbdbvMIiAs70U9b3EwWYERCuK3QjoBmq-o2SQSiq1kRceD2VxUzYPaLd6uuNdbcGITEO8vOrIDIDg3UsoV4CrKTfvpYLwhZBaUYSMKpGhtNP3bYpQvF--Ku2ZJ0FYyeyeXBx9UeVX1ArW1oBltM1EOBidEGcCiflpuprfkpUA2tFp8IhVTydFQmemsidjZn7Qy1GvnO4chdAQx5aC-MxJ6XsTfr33~vtex2YvbQBETfH0yJm6faOUNjeZrzogz3yhtHUqr-MkwINblckQs-JMPwHZN43mP4Od8naOV2DcaS4Bo~c0Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scottsdale Unified School District staff on Tuesday presented a comprehensive assessment-and-accountability report for the 2023–24 school year showing that district students outperformed county and state averages on multiple statewide tests, while also identifying areas for improvement — particularly in middle-school math growth.

Dr. Bauchner delivered the presentation and said Scottsdale students ranked first among comparison districts in elementary English Language Arts and were among the top performers in math at several grade levels. The district’s 3rd‑through‑8th graders took the Arizona Academic Standards Assessment (AASA); 9th graders took the ACT Aspire and 11th graders took the ACT. The district also reported results from the AZ Sci tests in grades 5, 8 and 11 and results of Advanced Placement exams.

Key findings presented

- English/ELA and math comparisons: Staff reported Scottsdale students ranked first in elementary ELA and ranked first in math for grades 3, 4, 5 and 7; the district placed in the top three among nine comparison districts in most grade levels shown by staff. District presenters said Scottsdale’s proficiency rates exceeded Maricopa County and Arizona averages across grade levels, with larger margins in math.

- Cohort and modality trends: Staff analyzed cohorts across years and reported some grade‑by‑grade increases and decreases (for example gains from 3rd to 4th and 5th to 6th in ELA, decreases in some other cohorts). An analysis of students’ learning modality during the 2020–21 school year found that, with the exception of 4th‑grade English, students who attended in person in 2020–21 tended to outperform peers three years later; students enrolled in SUSD longer outperformed those who joined later.

- Growth measures: Growth distributions (low, average, high) varied by grade, with the smallest proportion in the ‘high’ category at 6th grade and the largest at 11th grade. In math, district leaders said every cohort saw some decline from one grade to the next — an outcome that staff linked to the district’s focused math goal for the coming year.

- AP and ACT results: Staff reported that Scottsdale students completed a large number of AP tests and that 49% of AP exams were scored as fours or fives in spring 2024; staff also showed a potential tuition‑savings example tied to AP credit (staff presented an estimated summerized figure of about $6,600,000 in potential tuition savings for students earning college credit via AP scores). For the ACT, composite and subject scores showed modest changes year to year; district staff noted English and reading were stronger relative to math and science for some cohorts.

District goals and next steps

Staff outlined district KPIs for the year, including: a 3% increase target in 3rd‑grade AASA ELA (goal to reach 63% passing); a series of cohort‑based math goals (each grade level with a 3% increase target); an ACT‑based 9th‑grade science goal (3% increase target); an 11th‑grade ACT composite score goal of 21.3 (a 0.5 increase); and a goal to increase the percentage of students earning a C or better in Algebra I by the end of 9th grade to 74% or higher.

Implementation actions described

District leaders said they are using IXL assessment tools across grade levels, integrating ACT practice data to assign targeted IXL practice, and offering teacher professional development. Staff reported that district leaders, MTSS academic and behavioral support teams, and site TILs are meeting regularly to monitor implementation and exchange successful practices. Leaders also said they will make classroom walkthroughs and site visits to monitor progress through December and beyond.

Board discussion

Board members thanked staff for the analysis and asked clarifying questions about sample test items, cohort trends and the influence of pandemic learning modality on current scores. One board member raised a design critique about a displayed chart but otherwise complimented student and teacher performance.

Speakers (attributed)

- Dr. Bauchner — District assessment presenter (title cited in the meeting as Doctor).
- Julie Sadowski, Amy Carney — Governing Board members who offered thanks and comments during Q&A.

Proper names

Scottsdale Unified School District; AASA (Arizona Academic Standards Assessment); ACT Aspire; ACT; AZ Sci; IXL.

Clarifying details

- Sample items shown in the presentation demonstrated multi‑step items and constructed response demands across grades 3–8 in ELA and grade‑level items in math (staff stressed that many items require multiple steps and that some scored items do not allow partial credit).
- Staff emphasized cohort comparisons mirrored statewide trends in several grades where decreases occurred.
- The AP tests total presented in the meeting was described as “nearly 37,100” tests; staff framed that as the total AP tests completed in spring 2024 and presented an estimated potential tuition‑savings figure used for illustrative purposes (about $6.6 million). (Staff did not provide an external breakdown in the meeting presentation.)

Community relevance

Geographies: Scottsdale Unified School District. Impact groups: students across all grade levels, teachers, school leaders and families.

Searchable tags

assessment, accountability, math achievement, AP, ACT, IXL

Provenance

- topicintro: {\"block_id\":\"s8161.71\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":140,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Good evening, President Hartwells, Vice President Lindsay, governing board members, Doctor Menzel and Mrs. Wagner. It's my pleasure to be here tonight to provide you with an assessment and accountability update for the 2023 2024 school year.\" ,\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"}

- topicfinish: {\"block_id\":\"s9335.33\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"...During December, district leaders are also walk visiting campuses for classroom walkthroughs with site administration to watch all the amazing things going on in our classrooms and to offer in person support as well. And with that, I turn it over for questions.\" ,\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}","District staff told the Governing Board that Scottsdale Unified outperformed county and state averages on several state assessments in 2024, highlighted cohort trends linked to pandemic learning modality, and presented academic KPIs including a 3% target increase for multiple grades and a composite ACT goal for 11th grade.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Scottsdale Unified approves new contracted student-transportation vendor, extends existing service during transition

Scottsdale Unified approves staff hiring and credentialing policies; board rejects change to suicide-prevention instruction policy

Scottsdale Unified reports strong test results overall, sets math-focused goals after pandemic-era learning shifts