[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6622144,"mediaKeyId","2787525-d8bc18cfffc439dd2b391fd0d72ea198","parentId",2787525,"title","Board approves staff reductions, hires and transfers as district balances budget amid enrollment decline","audioSeconds",3287,"startMs",1708000,"endMs",4995000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787525-d8bc18cfffc439dd2b391fd0d72ea198&start=1708&end=4995","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787525-d8bc18cfffc439dd2b391fd0d72ea198/thumbnail_1708000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622144/Arizona/Board-approves-staff-reductions-hires-and-transfers-as-district-balances-budget-amid-enrollment-decline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622144-9648b7d1ae385677297847dc744cfea2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135263&Signature=J4fhmFbMYIYVeomJ8s05kU6ndXxN3WkjWwZZdDj79huD6WOsLUPdfRyK822-pz~JqERDeCt9aFSK7Pz3hTxy2~VvOLXwVJnxBQKz52~4ap0gO99~QRwXW3YPEU8Cg3A8iyvkE1WZasHNcz6qluMA~dhr4tD7mLYjXPloqi8h~Erw9-n6c0x6g4fFtZyx11o9FcDBA7W-XlH6493LDUYOlFSdGYRKxQh~YsS11oY1R6ID-OtL8Rg-b8P1j6Oe5YgL0y9oE-DoVxIcQIgei1KosLpfV0VuwNgdojKXzSIgDpcqrq1u0JMxlRogU3n0qS4wA9LlL4BrLbzQrIg7GTASZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Douglas Unified District ","date","2025-03-27T01:22:20.913Z","article","At its meeting the Douglas Unified School District Board of Education approved multiple personnel actions intended to align staffing with declining enrollment and M&O (maintenance and operations) budget pressures while also authorizing routine hires and transfers.

Superintendent Nydia Samaniego presented a slate of recommendations that included certified contract renewals, a recommended certified hire to cover curriculum and federal programs for the 2025–26 year, a classified resignation acceptance, an internal classified transfer to the purchasing specialist role, creation and placement of a new elementary assistant principal job, and a list of proposed reductions tied to vacancies and grant-funded positions.

Public comment from teachers, union leaders and parents emphasized concern over shifting information and asked the board to delay decisions until more data was provided. “The ongoing flux of information has created uncertainty and widespread concerns across the district,” Martha Alonso, president of the Douglas Educators Association, told the board, asking for a postponement. Several speakers suggested alternative savings and community engagement (for example, converting preschool seats to full-day childcare as a revenue source) and urged greater transparency.

Board action and outcomes (high level):
- Certified hire (Curriculum/federal programs): approved on voice/roll call. The board approved hiring Corey Moen (start July 2025) to support curriculum and federal programs and requested cross-training into May–June before the position formally begins.
- Classified resignation (Robert Rodriguez, Transportation Supervisor): accepted with regret.
- Classified transfer (Priscilla Garcia Gracia): approved to move from food-service secretary to purchasing specialist in business services.
- New elementary assistant principal position and job description: approved; salary placement at grade F, base $70,050.
- Certified contract renewals for 2025–26: board approved renewals for the certified staff list provided; four names were not available at the meeting and will be presented later.
- Reduction in positions (due to declining enrollment and budget constraints): board approved reductions, which the superintendent said primarily affect vacancies and certain grant-funded positions; two IT help-desk technician positions and five grant-funded instructional assistant (IA) positions (Safe and Healthy/Well-Rounded grants) were listed as impacted. The superintendent said most other proposed cuts are vacancies arising from retirements/resignations and principal recommendations about collapsed classes.
- Reduction in additional work days for some grant-funded coaches and specialists: the board voted to oppose (i.e., reject) the proposed reduction in additional days for grant-funded positions; the motion to oppose passed on roll call.

The board discussed the practical effects of the personnel actions. Samaniego said only two employees would be displaced outright (the two IT help-desk technicians) and that other lines were vacancies. She and CFO Miguel Sotto said the district is implementing a hiring freeze through the end of the fiscal year except for essential positions; each resignation or vacancy will be evaluated before any new hiring.

Votes at a glance (roll-call summaries extracted from transcript):
- Approve certified hire (curriculum/federal programs): unanimous yes (roll call recorded with all board members voting yes).
- Accept classified resignation (Robert Rodriguez): unanimous yes.
- Approve classified transfer (Priscilla Garcia Gracia): unanimous yes.
- Approve new elementary assistant principal position and job description: unanimous yes.
- Approve certified contract renewals (list provided): unanimous yes (four names deferred to April 2 addendum).
- Approve reduction in positions (vacancy-based and grant-funded): unanimous yes.
- Oppose (reject) proposed reduction in additional work days for some grant-funded staff: motion to oppose passed on roll call (unanimous yes), preserving the additional days for coaches and the secondary curriculum coordinator for now.

What was emphasized: The administration repeatedly described enrollment decline as the major driver of the budget challenge and said more in-depth budget work (including a future RFP for benefits and analysis of transportation and operational costs) will follow. Several board members and public speakers urged expanded community engagement, data transparency and consideration of alternatives to staff reductions.

Next steps: Administration will implement the approved hires, transfers and renewals; proceed with the staffing revisions tied to vacancies; and report back to the board on enrollment trends, the status of vacancies and any future budget revisions. The board and staff said they will pursue additional community outreach and data-sharing on enrollment and operational expenses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DUSD #27 Special Board Meeting 3/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Douglas Unified School District board approved a package of personnel actions and a reduction-in-positions plan tied to declining enrollment and budget constraints; the board also approved several routine hires, transfers and contract renewals and voted to oppose a proposed reduction in additional work days for some grant-funded staff.","taxTitle","Douglas Unified District (4174) Collection, School Districts, Arizona","taxId",64440,"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},6622148,"Douglas Unified board approves 90/10 health-insurance split for 2025-26 after debate",211,568000,779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787525-d8bc18cfffc439dd2b391fd0d72ea198&start=568&end=779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787525-d8bc18cfffc439dd2b391fd0d72ea198/thumbnail_568000.jpg","/articles/6622148/Arizona/Douglas-Unified-board-approves-9010-health-insurance-split-for-2025-26-after-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622148-e039228abfeecdb06a326ba7ac800462/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135263&Signature=KJl~o3B1Aozl3LPmulWtC2R7GUHY0XFe21zs0C36QJLmbALfjCHq0P7IM9sbpm0GuWVj6I7UYeadAm1Z4NRRxNiL-ScFwVtAZtsQ1JCVYxbvOT1eI38o~e3W7K8Uj-Xgb8hlUWe6KgHXKzx589pXDAbFa7hLKO0aPvLk88BZd9klpytnJHpDZZOdX5r3Y0iLOUqfyh9UGI3aRH1gkqf13Iw-t6XTav0ar6h6vt7NhEbclLuc-XDwOQd8W7QHZKqV1rLJRwMbg39TFVOU7NiCYOD5G9OPU16uLhbPiiF0jMlOrmFZD0clk4SRadknpzZfLD7ZJ-YjdV~UcHxFDqO9SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas Unified School District (4174) Board of Education voted to set the district contribution for employee health insurance at 90% and the employee contribution at 10% for a classic silver plan for the 2025–26 plan year, board President Breen announced after a roll-call vote.

Superintendent Nydia Samaniego told the board the recommendation was developed after legal and financial review of multiple options and community feedback. “We are looking at a 90/10 now,” Samaniego said during her presentation, describing the district’s effort to avoid transfers from capital that would raise red flags with auditors.

Samaniego laid out the plan’s basic terms: a classic silver employee-only monthly premium with the board contribution at $558.23 and an employee share of $62.03 per month (annual board contribution $6,698.81; annual employee contribution $744.31). The silver plan carries a $500 deductible for employee-only coverage and a $1,000 family deductible; coinsurance applies after the deductible. Employees may choose higher-cost options such as classic gold or copay gold at additional personal expense, and the district said Blue Cross Blue Shield will provide plan details during open enrollment.

Why it matters: Board members and staff said the change is intended as a one-year measure to avoid sudden, large out-of-pocket costs for employees while the district copes with projected declines in enrollment and associated maintenance-and-operations (M&O) revenue. Samaniego and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Miguel Sotto said the 90/10 split will be funded this year in part by non-capital district revenues (for example, revenue from facility rentals and certain federal program funds) so the district will not transfer capital funds into M&O.

Public comment and board concerns preceded the vote. Martha Alonso, president of the Douglas Educators Association, urged the board to delay a decision because staff had received multiple, changing proposals in a short period and said the district had not provided consistent detail. “The ongoing flux of information has created uncertainty and widespread concerns across the district,” Alonso told the board, and she asked the board to postpone action.

Several community speakers echoed calls for more transparency and time to explore alternatives; others recommended community town halls to review the budget and enrollment data. Superintendent Samaniego and CFO Sotto said staff had repeatedly sought legal and Auditor General guidance about fund use and had revised options as new information arrived.

Vote and next steps: The motion to approve the 90% district / 10% employee contribution for the classic silver plan carried on roll call, 4–1. Board Member Smith voted no and said he preferred tabling the item to gather additional data. The district said the decision would be implemented through the May open-enrollment period and that staff will pursue an RFP for benefits vendors for future years. CFO Sotto reiterated the board’s intent to avoid capital transfers and to treat the funding as a temporary measure while further efficiencies and enrollment-recovery efforts are explored.

The board and administration also discussed that the 90/10 approach is not guaranteed beyond the coming year and flagged a planned solicitation (RFP) for benefit vendors next year; Samaniego noted that claims utilization and market trends could change the district’s options for 2026–27.

Ending note: Board members and staff repeatedly pointed to enrollment as the main long-term driver of district revenue and encouraged continued community engagement on enrollment and budget strategies. The board’s approval preserves the district’s existing provider relationships for the next plan year while staff continue a broader budget review.","After extended discussion and public comment, the Douglas Unified School District board approved a 90% district / 10% employee contribution for the classic silver health plan for fiscal year 2025–26. The district said it will use non-capital funds to cover the additional cost for one year to avoid transferring capital out of reserves.","actionData","errors"]

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Board approves staff reductions, hires and transfers as district balances budget amid enrollment decline

Douglas Unified board approves 90/10 health-insurance split for 2025-26 after debate