[{"_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",6651324,"mediaKeyId","2692165-175f0b55e615e9e548b7d0ab65071976","parentId",2692165,"title","Peoria Unified studies licensure requirement for school social workers amid concerns about scope, funding and timelines","audioSeconds",695,"startMs",1021000,"endMs",1716000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2692165-175f0b55e615e9e548b7d0ab65071976&start=1021&end=1716","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2692165-175f0b55e615e9e548b7d0ab65071976/thumbnail_1021000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6651324/Arizona/Peoria-Unified-studies-licensure-requirement-for-school-social-workers-amid-concerns-about-scope-funding-and-timelines","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651324-4df89d4e0266ce5c826716ce1e0bc57a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771073550&Signature=MseMHdwBnDCiPdUY-AqCdk~2I1P5iR474neVzRIl8yqc1XeEGB5nZGz1NkRZ3vvnOlU4tJy9wAyDQlycDUtDpbbLeGkevmOR7H6t9GE9AWGUVPir4jpkHI6Ng9NfTAddtdWL3IPcKbZwiASVAx~ZP~2rddDXkTC1YxzJKDkP0kwm-30ef45iAiVIg2hDf8HUqkcxhFnHD8Pf-ylALt9V9t4l~HezNkK37BSg0wid6P2pyl99ekY2RZdY3ffwIFI0aXXht6TQ-qU5xN7e3uXgL6uDUP~mx-0CNRBKRro4ynsRNqP9j1vNmwALt8qCcnVOWdJ73yG30K70nQ0XrAg0sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cave Creek Unified District","date","2025-02-17T18:57:48.317Z","article","Peoria — Peoria Unified School District officials laid out the professional licensure routes and practical implications for school social workers and school mental health counselors at a Feb. 13 study session, describing multi‑step state requirements, potential costs and a tight timeline that could affect positions funded by a five‑year school safety grant.

The superintendent, Dr. Kevin Summers, and Chief Student Services Officer Jason Nuttall introduced district staff who explained current roles and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners’ licensure processes. Shannon Threadgill and Nicole Gee summarized that initial licensure requires a master’s degree and a passing score on a national exam; clinical‑level licenses require two years of supervised clinical hours and additional testing. “The credentialist reviews each application by date submitted. All applications take 90 days up to 270 days for review,” Threadgill said of the Board’s timeline.

Why it matters: The district holds positions funded by a School Safety Program grant that expires in 2026. Several board members said they want any new district policy to comply with state law and not expose the district to liability (Board member Clark Tobey asked for legal review). Board members also raised practical concerns — whether existing positions can meet new licensure thresholds, how much time and money the transition would require, and what the district would do for students if employees do not obtain licensure quickly.

Key details from the presentation
- Current staffing: administrators reported 33 positions funded under the school safety grant; about 10 of those staff hold state licensure today (district figures presented by Jason Nuttall).
- Pathways: Threadgill described the sequence: master’s degree → apply to Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners → take the ASWB or counselor exam (costs were cited) → register as Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC). To reach the clinical LCSW or LPC level requires two years of supervised post‑master’s practice and 1,600 clinical hours plus supervision.
- Timeline and cost pressure: review by the Board of Behavioral Health can take 90–270 days; Threadgill noted study time can be months, and the district estimated the potential application/licensing fees if the district assisted employees.

Discussion and concerns voiced at the meeting
Board members pressed staff on three fronts: legal compliance, staffing continuity, and funding. Clerk Tobey said the issue is “getting the district to be in compliance with what state statute is.” Mrs. Proudfit and Mrs. Ewing warned that requiring clinical licensure could shrink the pool of candidates and leave vacancies unfilled.

Several board members asked about complaints or incidents that precipitated the policy discussion; Nuttall said there had been no formal complaints submitted to his office in the last two years but that staff handle many issues at the site level. Board members requested that the district’s legal counsel review whether current practice meets state law and requested executive‑session legal advice in a future meeting.

Implementation considerations outlined by staff
District leaders said they plan further stakeholder engagement and will bring refined proposals back to the board. Staff noted choices the board must make about timing (for example, whether to expect licensure by July 1, 2025), whether the district will absorb application and testing costs for staff, and whether to design internship or supervision pathways locally. The district also said that current grant funding, which supports three field instructors, will be up for renewal in 2026 and that reauthorization or replacement funding would affect the staffing plan.

Public comments and community input
Multiple public commenters and several board members emphasized practical concerns: parents and speakers described situations where students were seen by school staff without parental clarity about the service’s nature and questioned whether some school‑based activities resembled psychotherapy. Others urged the board to follow the law while ensuring students can access supports. Some staff and students urged caution about disrupting current supports that help with referrals and short‑term in‑school supports.

Next steps
No policy was adopted. Board members asked for written legal advice on whether current district practice fully complies with Arizona law and requested that staff return with concrete policy drafts, cost estimates for covering licensure fees if the board prefers, and options for supervising clinicians or creating partnerships that could provide required supervisory hours.

Ending
District staff said they will use the next weeks to gather additional data on how many current employees would seek licensure, the cost implications to the district, and potential grant strategies to sustain roles if licensure requirements change. Several board members signaled they expect the issue back on a near‑term agenda for legal review and possible first reading.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Peoria Unified Governing Board Meeting (February 13, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Peoria Unified School District officials laid out the professional licensure routes and practical implications for school social workers and school mental health counselors at a Feb. 13 study session, describing multi‑step state requirements, potential costs and a tight timeline that could affect positions funded by a school safety grant.","taxTitle","Peoria Unified School District (4237), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",13602,"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},6651305,"Peoria Unified seeks up to $5 million to replace aging teacher laptops and student desktops",1943,21629000,23572000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2692165-175f0b55e615e9e548b7d0ab65071976&start=21629&end=23572","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2692165-175f0b55e615e9e548b7d0ab65071976/thumbnail_21629000.jpg","/articles/6651305/Arizona/Peoria-Unified-seeks-up-to-5-million-to-replace-aging-teacher-laptops-and-student-desktops","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651305-857fad0db6b39848a35ef8464c1b5654/orig.mp4?Expires=1771073550&Signature=EmiLLGTGIlczjqHzIjMuWqfvm4~ttDbue7s7uLSKacF2kfaU3RrMtlgbb7yaYGGwhtBGgSTd6TrL6LB~8H7~djwByMn6AbjT5jlVifujbvQDz3Gu3UGV-YHzj1lcld9BeYFKrJq3a6BtoVoBu44j1ZamMH3kuS8j1ZytoFRxOZM3EOAmAX1zJ7r1rQde5FUI09XfU4b6S9opF-vJyKEhmWhFSqytTlOoxdKmaJ-xKmXJYtjmfsFmZtfdO8p7shUEpYiHjP4dAj43IZ0VSXhejjDgPujy-qzLB4~j89A-ED2WqlzWLU~uzjPP9-h7ueIlI6O6QTAFK2Wn6uu1Xq4vkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Peoria — Peoria Unified asked the board Feb. 13 to authorize increased spending on cooperative technology contracts to replace aging staff and lab computers, citing device age, end‑of‑support timelines and an upcoming tariff/window for manufacturers.

What the district presented
Technology staff said the replacement need comprises roughly 2,300 district laptops (mostly staff machines) that will be five to six years old at the time of replacement and about 2,650 desktops whose average age is eight to ten years. Many of the desktops cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 and must be replaced before October 2025 to avoid unsupported operating systems on student lab machines.

Procurement and budget
The district proposed increasing authorized annual expenditures on existing cooperative contracts (CDW Government and Safari Micro among others) to allow immediate ordering; procurement staff noted a potential tariff increase for manufacturers if purchase orders are not issued promptly. Administration said budget authority exists in the FY25 capital/carryforward plans and expects the purchase to come in under earlier estimates if orders go out before the tariff change.

Board reaction
Board members asked about priorities (staff vs. student devices) and urged the district to explore grants and external funding sources as an alternative to bond spending. A public commenter (a classroom teacher) urged the district to consider classroom projectors, Wi‑Fi reliability and peripheral items alongside laptops and desktops.

Next steps
If the board approves the cooperative spending increase, the district said it will place orders immediately and begin an equipment replacement schedule. Staff said they will return with implementation details and any options for students in subsequent procurement and replacement cycles.

Ending
Administrators emphasized the time sensitivity: desktop replacements are necessary by fall 2025 to avoid unsupported operating systems in school labs.","District staff requested approval to increase cooperative contract spending and begin single‑year purchases to replace thousands of desktops and laptops; items are time‑sensitive because older desktops cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 and Microsoft Windows 10 support ends later in 2025.",{"_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},6651309,"Peoria Unified moves toward hosted volunteer and visitor screening system; board to consider cooperative purchase",73,21041000,21114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2692165-175f0b55e615e9e548b7d0ab65071976&start=21041&end=21114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2692165-175f0b55e615e9e548b7d0ab65071976/thumbnail_21041000.jpg","/articles/6651309/Arizona/Peoria-Unified-moves-toward-hosted-volunteer-and-visitor-screening-system-board-to-consider-cooperative-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651309-5abab03f14bb374d2bafe5a98a4a988e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771073550&Signature=ZicLk~0suxFKO4kT3mEygpWIFuKXMF4Km~6-HZZYSz~eZa6Cat2vhiwDCgnDQDa7~9i8mY4nsmjc4I0g2ILnQZtWR6UHKgB0F2djTZts3xbP8KDdWog6sifZqCLQx0V9T87aTIWtmm8zwoJ2QdIcbyBcXPTbguq7RzeKdEeq-E0cP0wF48PCXs8LSpVSFLoOM6HSa9tfWEwUAjObuiwfu3W3A-qJAMdUG3fDfCypbbFA3eP4zoLlZTD1vkEsQWsdHKMDt0hFlpFkkIkijk~CeOCUHhRyQ~gGt3wX-oYtlugQA8pWVQWICYgDMKjfVtwXkupdbppbNFyIjzPg3gmJlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Peoria — Peoria Unified staff demonstrated a hosted visitor and volunteer management system at the Feb. 13 meeting and outlined next steps ahead of a planned procurement vote. The platform shown would let volunteers apply online, upload fingerprints for higher‑clearance roles, and allow front offices to screen visitors against the national sex‑offender registry and the district’s restricted list.

What the system does
Staff showed the volunteer workflow: an applicant creates an account, provides demographic details, selects schools and whether they request Level 1 (basic) or Level 2 (fingerprint) clearance. Level 2 applicants would upload a fingerprint card; the vendor would complete the background check and the district would verify the IVP clearance. Approved volunteers would appear in a portal showing hours and approved events. Visitors checked in through a kiosk would be screened against the national sex‑offender registry and the district’s own banned/ordered‑protection lists.

Why it matters
District leaders said the hosted system would centralize volunteer records, reduce front‑office processing time, and allow site administrators to manage event‑level volunteer assignments. Board members asked about turnaround time for checks (staff said a 24–48 hour goal for volunteer checks, noting current fingerprint processing can take weeks) and about which background databases the system queries. The district said it would maintain an internal restricted list (for trespass orders or safety reasons) that the kiosk would flag.

Next steps
The district is bringing a cooperative procurement item to the board for approval and said it will coordinate implementation with human resources, school administrators and the vendor. Staff also noted that visitor kiosks will generally be used for daily front‑office check‑ins; large events will continue to use staff‑managed sign‑in processes.

Ending
Board members welcomed the efficiency gains and requested staff ensure fast turnaround, clear parent communications and training for front‑office personnel before districtwide roll out.","District staff demonstrated a visitor and volunteer management platform (Raptor) and outlined a plan to move volunteer background checks and visitor screening to a hosted system; the item will go to the board for procurement approval.",{"_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},6651314,"Peoria Unified names Samuel Chagoya principal at Peoria High School after board vote",356,12577000,12933000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2692165-175f0b55e615e9e548b7d0ab65071976&start=12577&end=12933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2692165-175f0b55e615e9e548b7d0ab65071976/thumbnail_12577000.jpg","/articles/6651314/Arizona/Peoria-Unified-names-Samuel-Chagoya-principal-at-Peoria-High-School-after-board-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651314-52672020c0cb68407c77ce10791d0f2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771073550&Signature=drUJGiQL8jE6NaudIaCd7gx7PKkA5yCf4GH2rnTNI~iTXWsr8TfTYu3ejkUdwUbZ4yhhcgfZ0-4EbpG7M6E4xcRWk0Nc8SD5I9a0Dy-4bHQ~cl0vAUZaPNDr4nNRa0-ydyc-yhYmydLM~DkwCUDFH9d8qMTt5VHKH~ZOlFNnybPTrZQS5ce~1q58nMLIYfruyM9xskyGd1U22~1UAdw9tqEubrCrkc98fJxI4GsnnvbD-~UmGnJ6gSVewZzY1v2nSA8xFy8u7s86zpQtZ38fMGNKNykOs1wTcz2yuLiMap-8Y3TKkhbPsVKZjwG0lGEs03xmSjmcN7A0Ov69uX6LkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Peoria — The Peoria Unified School District governing board voted Feb. 13 to appoint Samuel Chagoya as principal of Peoria High School, making permanent the interim leader who had overseen the campus during a recent transition period.

Superintendent Kevin Summers recommended Chagoya, noting the candidate’s alumni connection to the school and results from stakeholder surveys and site councils showing broad support. Summers highlighted survey results supplied to the board, including a 90 percent positive response to “I have trust and confidence in our school and department leadership” and a 94 percent positive response to “school leadership is accessible.”

At the meeting several students, parents, community members and current or former colleagues gave public comment in support of Chagoya. Student body leaders and alumni told the board his presence had boosted campus morale and stability.

Board action and vote
- Motion and outcome: The board voted to approve the administrative appointment of Samuel Chagoya as principal for Peoria High School.
- Vote tally (voice vote): 5–0 in favor (President Rooks, Mrs. Ewing, Mrs. Proudfit, Mrs. Bowles, Clerk Toby voted yes).

Why it matters
Peoria High School’s leadership shift followed a year of campus disruption; board members and staff emphasized the need for community trust and steady leadership. Superintendent Summers said the appointment followed a period in which the district solicited stakeholder input and monitored the interim principal’s impact on school culture and operations.

Next steps
Chagoya will continue in the role; the district said it would provide support and monitor progress through established staff feedback and site council processes.

Ending
Chagoya thanked the board, district staff and community members; several board members and community speakers praised his long ties to the school and local community.","The governing board voted Feb. 13 to appoint Samuel Chagoya as Peoria High School principal following a stakeholder review; supporters cited community ties, survey results and stabilization of campus culture.",{"_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},6651319,"Peoria Unified outlines corrective actions for transportation: recruitment, external vendors and pilot ID cards",85,19988000,20073000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2692165-175f0b55e615e9e548b7d0ab65071976&start=19988&end=20073","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2692165-175f0b55e615e9e548b7d0ab65071976/thumbnail_19988000.jpg","/articles/6651319/Arizona/Peoria-Unified-outlines-corrective-actions-for-transportation-recruitment-external-vendors-and-pilot-ID-cards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651319-8f1a152fd0891fdc2cc8dcbb58b5fdb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771073550&Signature=CdXYPvIlF~F0D-hNqRs38qI9lpI4AjrXaOgL6DWX5QHlpUP2FQLaq-UyOhkQrO0qrI6opjre~qW3cpVmBkpD9G4uT02BGTtKesPaaBuAYRq7WVnZ9L9C4Kfn06Gdy5CveYa6ejvWWXNlw4JW9rSalEoAELRCIChxPLuy0a6t~YVWrdNe8Jo2EqA53blaRJ7UXrOZ3aSjvG14gHUok2Ovm1NcSaTFz1a-ze3jKQhoyvQjBYHptuJl7rvoQMH3Wt0XCOW7jMeEPdxdGMxc29Mx4FLIsFPRVmIQ9Z6ufBs6G0D~o-qtt8WBT-DfLwnmluL9ZUonE6S0AC8gn4ZIpsw76A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Peoria — Peoria Unified officials told the governing board on Feb. 13 they are working through a corrective‑action plan for the district’s transportation challenges, emphasizing driver recruitment, short‑term use of contractors and a pilot of electronic ridership cards ahead of a broader rollout.

At the meeting, district leaders said recruitment has reduced open runs — at the start of the school year there were nine double runs; by Feb. 13 just one double run remained in the afternoon — and one driver had passed the commercial driver’s license (CDL) test that day. Transportation Director Matt Molino said the district is holding meetings with drivers at multiple levels — large group sessions, small groups and one‑on‑one meetings — and coordination with hiring and payroll is underway.

To address both safety and accountability, the district plans to pilot student bus‑ridership ID cards on three buses at three different schools by spring break, with districtwide implementation planned for August if the pilot proves successful. “We are forming a comprehensive plan that we will bring back to the board either at the February or the meeting in March to address staffing and compensation,” Molino said. He added the district is also assessing whether contracted fleet providers have available capacity to run routes and at what cost.

Board reaction
Board members pressed for frequent updates on the ID‑badge pilot, asked for clarity on contractual costs if contractors cover routes, and urged careful consideration of driver working hours and rest requirements. Several board members asked the district to consider attendance incentives and to make any procedural changes transparent to the bus workforce.

Public comment and staff response
A current and former driver who spoke at the meeting asked that the district follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidance on hours‑of‑service and posted materials for drivers. Molino said the district will compare state Department of Public Safety rules with federal guidance and provide training to front offices and transportation supervisors on any policy clarifications.

Next steps
District staff will return with a written corrective action plan that includes compensation proposals, recruitment incentives, an implementation timeline for the ID‑card pilot, and a projection for using private contract services where needed. The board asked for status reports on the pilot before a districtwide rollout.","District officials reported progress in driver recruitment, plans to pilot student ID ridership cards and are exploring using contracted providers to cover routes. Staffing gaps remain; board members asked for regular updates on pilot results and compensation review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Peoria Unified studies licensure requirement for school social workers amid concerns about scope, funding and timelines

Peoria Unified seeks up to $5 million to replace aging teacher laptops and student desktops

Peoria Unified moves toward hosted volunteer and visitor screening system; board to consider cooperative purchase

Peoria Unified names Samuel Chagoya principal at Peoria High School after board vote

Peoria Unified outlines corrective actions for transportation: recruitment, external vendors and pilot ID cards