[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6689736,"mediaKeyId","2622077-d01db6a251ce8001677d69af331a3471","parentId",2622077,"title","District staff review discipline policies, K–4 suspension limits and state assessments; parents voice bullying concerns","audioSeconds",4554,"startMs",1746000,"endMs",6300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2622077-d01db6a251ce8001677d69af331a3471&start=1746&end=6300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2622077-d01db6a251ce8001677d69af331a3471/thumbnail_1746000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6689736/Arizona/District-staff-review-discipline-policies-K4-suspension-limits-and-state-assessments-parents-voice-bullying-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6689736-86c1c5ef24bef41238b76db8a5c3e83b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204709&Signature=ByLA2u3~8dzZCE9X6VYYBSxQmOKnDdIP6W89yp9WEEWIaruBzuM4SKMYuQ9yckqru2n5VmXhSTJkmhqSMh6yUbLMFSNlBTrDhB683nmtYGPiN6mgZKXYVh6paYCAIi9YdeLs74VWMm3thb9OPlXuBYhPzEJVFsiq33N86~YoTzUrfxwovWL1rx0Pyx3TPtKlsSgamO7P2Kng2o6-RDBXNJn56ZQs9pZ97vb3Xvb9khTWksazE4z4biHDfvF8xhXNkGqw9vgOq6DaajUIrM8zLDfKUUxY0T8Q0IzscuZwWRBGO4J0fd35XxTS0DeiJ880OXQt4BZjsj3EL2-mDg4UWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Yuma Elementary District","date","2025-02-12T10:37:19.037Z","article","District staff gave an extended overview Feb. 11 of student discipline policies, the district discipline matrix, statutory limits on suspensions for young students and reporting requirements to the state. The presentation also described how discipline policies intersect with reporting obligations and supports for students in shelters and other vulnerable situations.

Key points on discipline: Staff said district student discipline policies are based on Arizona Revised Statutes and the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) policy templates (section J). Presenters reviewed categories of violations, consequences ranging from mediation to short‑term suspension (up to nine days) and long‑term suspensions at the middle‑school level (approximately nine weeks for severe cases). The presentation outlined a process for addressing disruptive behavior that includes functional behavior assessments, behavior plans and the consideration of alternative interventions before suspension.

K–4 suspension limits: The presenter summarized 2022–23 and 2023–24 legislative changes limiting suspension of K–4 students. Under the 2023–24 amendment, district staff said K–4 suspensions may be for two or fewer days at a time, with an aggregate 10‑day limit per year; suspensions for bringing a firearm to school may be handled case‑by‑case. Staff emphasized documentation and parental consultation are required when alternative interventions are employed.

Bullying, reporting and supports: The district defined bullying, harassment and intimidation consistent with policy language and said the consequences can range from mediation to suspension; law enforcement is notified when incidents may be violations of law. Staff noted the district files required reports to the state and that protections against retaliation for reporting are included in policy JII and personnel policies.

Counselor staffing and funding: Presenters noted Arizona’s per‑pupil funding ranks low nationally and cited counselor ratios (Arizona average cited at 650:1 vs. U.S. average 376:1) to explain resourcing constraints. The district said some elementary counselors and school resource officers are funded through a three‑year grant from the Arizona Department of Education.

Assessment overview: The board also received a separate presentation on standards and state assessments. Assessment staff reviewed local and state testing that begins in February, including AASA (grades 3–8), AZELa (English language proficiency) and Galileo district assessments. The district said AzELa reassessments run February–March and that close to 1,800 students participate in the annual re‑test; the district reported close to 500 initial placement AzELa tests year‑to‑date with about 30 students identified as proficient on placement.

Public comment: Several parents and community members used the public comment period to describe alleged repeated bullying incidents, severe assaults and district responses they found inadequate. One parent, Jose Ulloa, described injuries he said his child sustained during an assault and asked for accountability and follow‑up. Another parent described withdrawal of a child due to how an incident was handled and asked for district follow‑up. District staff indicated they would reach out to commenters to provide follow‑up and next steps.

Why it matters: The presentations tie statutory limits, district policy and resource constraints to real student safety concerns raised by parents. Trustees said they hoped the district would continue to strengthen reporting, prevention and intervention while balancing statutory requirements for due process.

Next steps: Staff will continue to implement reporting requirements, document alternative interventions for K–4 cases and follow up with public commenters; board members asked for additional information in future packets about discipline trends and counseling resources.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monthly Board Meeting 2/11/25","oneSentenceSummary","District administrators reviewed student discipline policies, statutory limits on suspensions for young students and the district’s assessment calendar Feb. 11 while parents in public comment described serious bullying incidents and asked for accountability.","taxTitle","Yuma Elementary District (4499), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",38242,"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},6689740,"Board raises job order contract limit from $1 million to $2 million to speed campus projects",164,7518000,7682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2622077-d01db6a251ce8001677d69af331a3471&start=7518&end=7682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2622077-d01db6a251ce8001677d69af331a3471/thumbnail_7518000.jpg","/articles/6689740/Arizona/Board-raises-job-order-contract-limit-from-1-million-to-2-million-to-speed-campus-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6689740-5459b5943777b4d255ef893d84b80a8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204709&Signature=jBaVx5AQkdrqhzL6thgR5RmsF5z9nTLWbrk6IPfuFl4votaEpyGAru60N-B71hCVon~uEgLLQ5MxkLUdCvzPdJ7AJUROo9ycnXANR0dqe3yRhW6yNts8AN-752zeYqB5JAsR36wY6Avh9ukvUIo4VmIMpEh-OZloa2R-JId0YQBAzI8h0VBn6wUWlDTj8QNuFZ560gBR1HKYBW3kguGCklh4Fi1V-gEc1ilNXjQu92fgKrXIFItk7SNJEZ~6qr78p7FvPFP2~sFiDF1tXiRLRnB2oicguJpO7d2rFmZ~TWIsV40DNxnT3J71THNIT1Gfje6ARfDpyjLSUfFNrO9WTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Yuma Elementary District governing board voted unanimously Feb. 11 to increase the job order contract (JOC) spending limit from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000.

District staff said the change is intended to provide flexibility to complete renovations and maintenance projects without repeatedly returning to the board to approve individual higher‑value job orders. Presenters cited higher material and labor costs as reasons the previous $1 million threshold was no longer sufficient for many projects.

Board members stressed the change does not remove board oversight; significant projects will still be brought to the board for review. The measure passed 7–0.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to increase JOC spending limit from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 — Moved: Board member Stoner; Second: Board member Obara; Vote: 7–0, approved.

Next steps: Administration will implement the revised threshold and continue to notify the board of high‑value projects.","Trustees approved a raise in the district’s job order contracting (JOC) spending limit from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 to provide flexibility for school renovations and to respond more quickly to rising construction costs.",{"_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},6689744,"District opens K‑8 core math adoption process, outlines two‑phase review",460,7700000,8160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2622077-d01db6a251ce8001677d69af331a3471&start=7700&end=8160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2622077-d01db6a251ce8001677d69af331a3471/thumbnail_7700000.jpg","/articles/6689744/Arizona/District-opens-K8-core-math-adoption-process-outlines-twophase-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6689744-55c1913bfabb832d106fadbfa8b8b9eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204709&Signature=ktwrTXMLzm1ibmCgwtNGcIpVHL8k3WNddJTqaMYxTOexV3HRhgqXXDboeZcJZdQEKRiWZQxJQW87uYq7egJrX098VdG5P9CNq5P4qYTwxiC0CIa4~YWiYGFwIVzSfsDRSYS5TkZPaf-L6WqXT-qS6gku057UJc-9HDjUgtLTv1zVRQ8z73Z9P5pUboSYNJHqOGKmpGIuhmNJZck3c3Kf9dfohyXfyeueVPnsPJHbw54ErAnV-S~R6CXI0SxH9N2Kdpqb8ala10j1wLWHqvxwdrBX4kc8KWWALmDNP6Ag51km2ofnkryyDDWa7wI9m4dmdms1Pi6aM-SPfizmCVzM6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Yuma Elementary District governing board voted unanimously Feb. 11 to open a two‑phase K‑8 core math adoption process aimed at selecting new instructional materials for the 2024–25 adoption cycle.

District staff described a screening phase that will reduce interested publishers to about four candidates and a second phase that will include broad representation — teachers, instructional coaches, administrators and parent representatives — to pilot and recommend a final curriculum. Presenters emphasized criteria including conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, differentiated instruction and assessment practices.

Equity considerations: The district asked publishers to account for local demographics: roughly 19% English learners, 19% students with disabilities, 72% eligible for free or reduced‑price lunch and a student body that is about 75% Hispanic. Staff said the committee will use a rubric to score publisher presentations and that meetings will be posted under open meeting law; board members were told initial selection meetings will require substitutes for participating teachers because screenings occur in daytime hours.

Board participation and next steps: Staff said board members and other parents may attend open meetings and that administration will provide meeting dates and links; trustees asked that information be shared in the Friday reports. The board approved opening the process and asked staff to share schedules and participation options with schools and the public.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to open K‑8 core math adoption process and screening as presented — Moved: Board member Geyer; Second: Board member Rico; Vote: 7–0, approved.

","The board voted to open the K‑8 core math adoption process. Staff outlined a two‑phase screening and selection plan, said the adoption will account for the district’s high proportion of English learners and students eligible for free and reduced lunch, and invited teacher and parent participation.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6689748,"District presents TeachTown for specialized programs; public review extended and staff say funding available",360,5100000,5460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2622077-d01db6a251ce8001677d69af331a3471&start=5100&end=5460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2622077-d01db6a251ce8001677d69af331a3471/thumbnail_5100000.jpg","/articles/6689748/Arizona/District-presents-TeachTown-for-specialized-programs-public-review-extended-and-staff-say-funding-available","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6689748-c96671ead8b15cadbf0e13af22f0228b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204709&Signature=fOksC-MMZm0wDZDkdr3NFDv1Rpk597AyRcq4izGKwz-Il2LOiIAgqi0p1HXs9pNCod~28WmRsiNytYPGUW2Rp6~1Ajl4ZweZi0uh3y5a5nVyN7EdcsEkoVK17FPQvGPj9qtCIvbu-J4VE764nLxIg2ABXEbW~WUclC5G9fKsTCCZLpsjof2W3gaMvXYmvAdkLRLqgZ3VzbHB-DJrsrCKbxkAHMX1tn0wIdU4NL7jsXdTkMxleAMrGqEt2sZ3Cu5KZJSnef1XJs6fWGcyPqnQieckPwTHl5~aTdkvqG13CBnimF9uis0ds38-szv9N8BDMC9J32xBcp1KI8ZszXysWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Yuma Elementary District staff presented TeachTown on Feb. 11 as the recommended alternative curriculum for students in specialized classrooms, including students with autism who cannot access the general education curriculum.

Matt Casti, director of exceptional student services, and other district staff said the program is developmentally appropriate, aligned to Arizona standards, and designed to provide hands‑on and multisensory instruction with supplemental physical materials. Casti said the district has made the TeachTown materials available for public review and that the review period has exceeded the 60 days required by district policy; the district extended the public review period to roughly 90 days for additional input.

Funding and scope: District staff estimated TeachTown would serve about 400 students within the district’s roughly 1,600 special education population. Staff cited a licensing model (membership/subscription) for student access and discussed a per‑student annual cost in the materials presented; administrators said capital funds are available to purchase the program and that the district is exploring multi‑year discounts and possible federal funding options.

Alternatives and existing supports: Staff said the district currently uses multiple tools — including the STAR curriculum for behavioral supports and other adaptations of general education materials — and that TeachTown would not replace those programs but would provide more academically rigorous and developmentally appropriate content for students who need it.

Why it matters: The curriculum is aimed at students whose cognitive, developmental or language needs require specialized, age‑appropriate academic content. Staff said TeachTown’s combination of digital lessons, printed materials and teacher supports (including professional development) is intended to improve access to standards‑aligned instruction for students in self‑contained classrooms.

Next steps: Administration will return to the board with a recommendation and a possible contract for consideration at a future meeting; board members asked that the curriculum remain available for review by board members and the public and that the district publicize review opportunities in upcoming Friday reports.

","District staff presented TeachTown, an alternative curriculum for specialized and autism self‑contained classrooms, and said public review has exceeded 60 days; administrators said capital funds could cover licensing costs and the program would serve about 400 students.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6689753,"Yuma Elementary board directs staff to draft policy designating single‑sex facilities by biological sex",1142,8197000,9339000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2622077-d01db6a251ce8001677d69af331a3471&start=8197&end=9339","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2622077-d01db6a251ce8001677d69af331a3471/thumbnail_8197000.jpg","/articles/6689753/Arizona/Yuma-Elementary-board-directs-staff-to-draft-policy-designating-singlesex-facilities-by-biological-sex","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6689753-2d1a129c9fb60f4a7e450ae9c2f7c560/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204709&Signature=JnmUk9ypFqbqabMou63ImVTiea074deXSEa9rKY4SwH4LDpSA6v1FOHqaMp-j~fAPP2T9bRuqMXFfXs2zBg~ibVt5fputaBAczawPgrNwAHmBvdKCvhFmy9zehQgKlpkpMCET4VKfYwHwH8DW6mxsK4F2khOPjbq1~AdKuBZlFytLnZX2Cj1h06C49w7YkvvG7Tcl1y7CTwmYWKX8javTs6vMIkabuqVQIXxZPvPHHKM5aB~uzUTDvz9VHJ~dvsC5W2M223zOaBXF7M5TJIur9yd2zUREMtMo1zvrXfPF8Ywzp7DMI6y9~tViLtZkJ59T9cPjzkRRisgvaU6E33Srw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Yuma Elementary District governing board voted unanimously Feb. 11 to direct district administration to draft a written policy stating that single‑sex areas — including restrooms, showers, gymnasiums and locker rooms — be designated according to a person’s biological sex at birth, with an alternative area available for anyone who is not comfortable using the facility that matches their biological sex.

Board member Stoner, who made the motion, said the change is intended to replace a long‑standing verbal practice with a written rule so families and staff clearly understand “how, when and where” notification and discipline would be handled. “When you have a verbal practice, the three things that I ask is how, when, and where is the student and parent being notified of this verbal practice?” Stoner said during discussion.

The motion passed 7–0 after a discussion in which several trustees said they want a written policy so expectations are uniform across schools. Superintendent and legal‑process details were left to administration; board members said they expect a draft based on existing state examples at a future meeting.

Why it matters: The item draws on federal and state legal developments and has been the subject of public debate. Board members who supported the motion said a written policy will give families and staff firm notice of district practice and clarify exceptions such as emergency assistance, parental accompaniment and accommodations for students with disabilities.

What was said: Trustees discussed precedents in other states and legal rulings referenced during the meeting. Board members who opposed creating a new policy were not recorded as voting against the motion; the motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: Administration was asked to prepare a draft policy for board review that incorporates exceptions and operational details, and to return it to the board in a future agenda packet for review and possible adoption.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to draft written policy designating single‑sex facilities by biological sex at birth, with optional alternative area for anyone uncomfortable using those spaces — Moved: Board member Stoner; Second: Board member Geyer; Vote: 7–0, approved.

","The Yuma Elementary District governing board voted unanimously to ask administration to draft a written policy that would designate single‑sex restrooms, locker rooms and similar spaces based on biological sex at birth, and to provide an optional alternative area for any student or staff uncomfortable using those spaces.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District staff review discipline policies, K–4 suspension limits and state assessments; parents voice bullying concerns

Board raises job order contract limit from $1 million to $2 million to speed campus projects

District opens K‑8 core math adoption process, outlines two‑phase review

District presents TeachTown for specialized programs; public review extended and staff say funding available

Yuma Elementary board directs staff to draft policy designating single‑sex facilities by biological sex