[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6622169,"mediaKeyId","2787461-ac23b1ea5890a8009a3f9c78edb3b33b","parentId",2787461,"title","Chandler Unified board approves MOUs with HealthCorps and Elevate AZ, $600K bus‑driver pilot and two media‑center renovations","audioSeconds",1580,"startMs",10775000,"endMs",12355000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787461-ac23b1ea5890a8009a3f9c78edb3b33b&start=10775&end=12355","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787461-ac23b1ea5890a8009a3f9c78edb3b33b/thumbnail_10775000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622169/Arizona/Chandler-Unified-board-approves-MOUs-with-HealthCorps-and-Elevate-AZ-600K-busdriver-pilot-and-two-mediacenter-renovations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622169-af7e2831e4f3b1a2f6c02e39dd941386/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440135&Signature=eUE-UfjVebf4O-EX8k8~AW7o72TWFIUr31sWJSngK4H4SgiXx~5em2xBv-9dptggcf19KJI4CuZ5-dsin0DcSAyeuabjcLFPNRwfrxYbB47wj9GR926Xn7ZHdpeOhHDP25oya0IHZyf5sB7GpkuYYcgVwpKzRMWYVyNC8~TjPd9tzncux2UR24JeiFV~2yzgIIZULxlXIesdjs5SAMJ2DMy2GYmH2MNiPL6DKYTCqKcQsXExFOg7-UTjYn6kTttmm30Ul9wRl5yHAmjBsIEpAKasik4ohV9m29n6JE4Mn1xv4kDe6zuEv8-kvfig2UM3BDE3FfOqct8ACL0wQgafLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chandler Unified District #80 (4242)","date","2025-03-27T04:18:32.447Z","article","The Chandler Unified School District governing board approved a series of agreements and projects at its March 26 meeting aimed at expanding after‑school health education, strengthening employer‑education links, addressing a bus driver shortage and renovating elementary media centers.

HealthCorps MOU (amended)
The board approved a memorandum of understanding with HealthCorps Inc. to offer weekly health and wellness clubs for students in grades 5–12, with sessions limited to after‑school club settings. The MOU had been presented on the consent calendar; Board member Mrs. Mendoza moved to approve the agreement. During discussion a motion to have the board seek review from the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners on the definition of behavioral health counseling did not pass for lack of majority. The board then amended the MOU to remove classroom delivery language and require after‑school delivery only; that amendment passed and the MOU as amended passed on a unanimous vote of board members present.

Elevate ED AZ MOU
The board approved a collaborative memorandum of understanding between the district and the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation (Elevate ED AZ) intended to strengthen alignment between education and business, support career literacy and provide college‑and‑career pathways. The agreement was reviewed by the district’s legal counsel and approved by motion of a board member.

Bus driver compensation pilot
To address a critical bus driver shortage, the board approved a pilot compensation package that uses one‑time unreserved fund balance dollars to pay targeted stipends for transportation staff. The pilot covers four measures: a back stipend for drivers who combined routes this academic year, a stipend for designated hard‑to‑fill routes, an option to payout PTO for hours worked beyond a driver’s FTE, and a retention bonus paid in two installments (June and August) for drivers who remain employed through the transition to the next school year. The administration estimated total costs of roughly $600,000 split across the current fiscal year and FY 2025–26; board members voted unanimously to approve the pilot.

Elementary media‑center renovations
The board approved two renovation contracts (Wilmington Construction, via an existing cooperative contract) for reimagining the library/media spaces at Navarette Elementary (approximately $1.825 million) and Bologna Elementary (approximately $1.951 million). The projects are financed through the 2019 bond program and include accessibility upgrades, HVAC and fire‑system work, interior demo and finishes, new storefronts and reconfigured learning spaces. Board approval for Navarette passed 3–1; approval for Bologna passed 3–1. One board member voted against the renovations while three voted in favor on each contract.

Why it matters: The approvals package blends programmatic partnerships, short‑term workforce retention measures and capital investments. Staff argued the HealthCorps partnership and Elevate ED collaboration expand extracurricular and career‑oriented opportunities, the bus‑driver pilot is an immediate response to a local staffing crisis affecting student transportation, and the media‑center renovations are intended to modernize elementary learning spaces and support career‑literacy and STEAM programming.

Roll call and vote totals (summary)
- Consent agenda: approved unanimously.
- HealthCorps MOU (as amended to after‑school only): approved unanimously.
- Elevate ED AZ MOU: approved unanimously.
- Bus driver compensation pilot (pilot March 27, 2025 through summer 2026): approved unanimously.
- Navarette Elementary Media Center renovation (Willman/Wilmington Construction): approved 3–1.
- Bologna Elementary Media Center renovation (Willman/Wilmington Construction): approved 3–1.

The meeting record does not identify seconds for every motion by name; movers are recorded where speakers announced them on the public record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 26, 2025, Chandler USD Governing Board Study Session and Regular Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Chandler Unified School District governing board on March 26 approved a set of program agreements, a bus‑driver compensation pilot and two elementary media‑center renovations funded from the 2019 bond program and the district’s fund balance.","taxTitle","Chandler Unified District #80 (4242), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",12979,"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},6622174,"Students, teachers spotlight Chandler Unified fine arts; seniors describe impact on leadership and future plans",1469,5661000,7130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787461-ac23b1ea5890a8009a3f9c78edb3b33b&start=5661&end=7130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787461-ac23b1ea5890a8009a3f9c78edb3b33b/thumbnail_5661000.jpg","/articles/6622174/Arizona/Students-teachers-spotlight-Chandler-Unified-fine-arts-seniors-describe-impact-on-leadership-and-future-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622174-08b43ba110361bc55287b63ea517bd26/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440135&Signature=aFXeQ3kpYif7eX9h5kRrNmB8H076F95nVlIE8CB10m5Wc0mgFx90XhFqRcE4F8wkER8FgFshoNqxmam7iDAd49jW-LY5cw2XuAzKLRKbSv9-99JNW-MBpck2rVdr2WKf9cvwg~nJaiOuIR67clupXd6oRKN3UXJYbwBDn6uozLN5CRa2XsJBwkneMQeARqH7X9rAlUgHI-xOQzzOlEvWV2~~V66f9nx6799LD2QnB4cGgRJ7EMhoPSvBdGTNX3aA~jF2E6TZfYhJYlxUEkPFhtoJeHgkur390ouJTuzcK~25082fmQckxJBbRlEmXWm9D-mlHz8x2oI9jjBNgFenOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District fine arts staff and students presented a Youth Arts Month program to the Chandler Unified School District governing board on March 26 showcasing band, choir, dance, theater and visual art programs across the district.

Dr. Edgar (presenting for the district fine arts team) outlined K–12 offerings: general music and rotations for elementary students, band/orchestra/choir options at middle school, and band, orchestra, choir, dance and theater electives at the secondary level. The presentation listed annual events — marching band showcases, elementary choral festivals, district honor ensembles and a juried District Art Show — and noted community partnerships with the Chandler Center for the Arts, the City of Chandler and the East Valley Pops Orchestra.

Four seniors addressed the board about how arts programs shaped their school experience. Sammy, a junior band leader at Castile High School, summarized the social and leadership benefits: “Our band is a family,” she said, describing leadership roles in marching band, drum major duties and plans to arrange and conduct a piece as part of her pursuit of the state arts seal. Isabella Buchanan, a Hamilton High senior and AP art student, described an AP portfolio sustained investigation and community art events she volunteered at. Perry and Chandler students described dance and theater programs that led to festival performances and competitive awards; Haley Leydig, a Chandler High senior active in theater, said the program’s connections and awards helped prepare her for a planned move to study musical theater.

Staff described the Arizona State Seal of Arts Proficiency and district participation: in recent years dozens of CUSD students earned the seal, with staff reporting 47 students earned 50 seals in 2023–24. The board was invited to district performances and a juried District Art Show at the Chandler Center for the Arts gallery; staff noted many art pieces offered for sale at the gallery provide funds that go to student artists.

Why it matters: Fine arts programming contributes to district extracurricular life, offers pathways for honors and credentials such as the state arts seal and supports community engagement through performances and juried displays. Student speakers emphasized leadership, belonging and college or career plans tied to arts participation.

The board and audience were urged to attend upcoming district concerts, theater productions and the District Art Show.","Board members heard student testimonials and programming highlights from district fine arts staff, including choir and visual art showcases, theater awards and the Arizona State Seal of Arts Proficiency results.",{"_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},6622179,"Chandler Unified highlights Community Education: Kids Express, summer academy and preschools say enrollment rebounding",2147,2937000,5084000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787461-ac23b1ea5890a8009a3f9c78edb3b33b&start=2937&end=5084","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787461-ac23b1ea5890a8009a3f9c78edb3b33b/thumbnail_2937000.jpg","/articles/6622179/Arizona/Chandler-Unified-highlights-Community-Education-Kids-Express-summer-academy-and-preschools-say-enrollment-rebounding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622179-ee4e6b89df54d75d18367494bf76e23c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440135&Signature=f4x5Z~BkuBgC8-Izp9laOQisNR4hiWbnLmdkmTmuQLeUco4DwRlz~HaM4bNraaIzMXlYiLv~ByTvWVVgy11PLBSAOpSHirpu1EOcvSf-OBqyzjhYLTMd4W~skxoUG4gqIZ1m8yJTzCeq9VMaJdPju~KZpGUSBOs53fwdgj2qHy3Ao2D1yQN5QE5F6rCnSNbYzIu8bFdZM8dkQomorBTV1OK1MuAYJHUBYJFmG7B8D1EvsMcFcZ1xpjxCqgrjciVLcLG2robTxyATifZYyAcWH3lq-fQusu2gs09EbrRzssqu7IrVTe8N~AV9~VDY-bQ8~A7SCHfriIB38iKucX-FWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott Vandermillan, director of community education for Chandler Unified School District, told the board on March 26 that the department operates five divisions — Summer Academy, sports and enrichment, facility rentals, early childhood education and Kids Express before‑and‑after care — and serves thousands of local families.

Vandermillan said Kids Express operates at 26 elementary campuses and covers kindergarten through sixth grade, with hours generally from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and that the department recently ran intersession camps that enrolled 506 children and took them to the Phoenix Zoo. He said registration figures vary day to day and that combined registrations for Club CUSD, enrichment and the Chandler Sports League totaled 4,802 since Jan. 1.

“We offer before and after school programs,” Michelle Castle, a Kids Express activity coordinator, said. Vandermillan said the district operates preschool and pre‑K at multiple sites; at the time of the presentation preschool seats were about 84% full for the current year and 65% enrolled for 2025–26 while registration remained open.

The district previously used a federal child‑stabilization grant of roughly $6 million to offer many enrichment and summer programs at low or no cost; Vandermillan said that grant has expired and that participation has declined since the subsidy ended. He said the department is evaluating program mix, pricing and partnerships to remain competitive with YMCA, AAU and other providers.

Vandermillan described plans and recent changes to intersession camp capacity: the department reduced the number of sites but increased capacity per site, for example hosting summer Kids Express camps at two sites with 350 slots each. He said registration can fill quickly when it opens but that families often cancel early bookings, freeing space.

Other details presented: summer academy served just over 750 students last year across elementary, junior high and high school sites; the department has roughly 87 children in Little Explorers childcare across three sites; vendor‑led enrichment and facility rentals are a significant part of the program; and the Chandler Sports League has seen declines in some activities amid stronger outside competition.

Why it matters: Community education programs provide childcare, enrichment and early learning options that support working families and student engagement outside the school day. The expiration of a one‑time stabilizing grant has reduced subsidized slots and pushed the department to adjust capacity, pricing and outreach.

Vandermillan asked the board to note that the department is exploring new program options (including nontraditional sports and Esports), monitoring pricing against local competitors, and seeking grant opportunities to restore subsidized access where possible.

The presentation concluded with information about how to register (cusd80.com → Departments → Community Education) and an invitation to contact the department for facility rentals, preschool registration and summer academy enrollment.","District leaders reported steady demand for before‑and‑after care, summer learning and preschool programs, but said a $6 million stabilization grant that temporarily boosted participation has expired.",{"_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},6622184,"CUSD federal programs staff outline services for multilingual, migrant and unhoused students; state audit finds no compliance issues",1719,301000,2020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787461-ac23b1ea5890a8009a3f9c78edb3b33b&start=301&end=2020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787461-ac23b1ea5890a8009a3f9c78edb3b33b/thumbnail_301000.jpg","/articles/6622184/Arizona/CUSD-federal-programs-staff-outline-services-for-multilingual-migrant-and-unhoused-students-state-audit-finds-no-compliance-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622184-aafbd5e16efdf8afda5b7aba0e0c086e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440135&Signature=LpMwdRgaC9VAdJQQ7qGwoczKVJqfx1vTiKeBhkncD1M082AP64j9U8~W9nE~BNgxDKEtRRfkhoKkCubIqqlFiMiUE9rHeBU1R3NPsoyRRLc4gdRDdyPdAkGP4mfB6eJGwVeGZNLuIAqGSumMrR3tRK8amB8ZIfbzPhujOj3JufRZ01DpjwMb09pc7NOdcLEsN1Qb082YEXKIgevThIKsVTuLzfUg9k3wzsySpRY~1YiOkrR8lEpiINVyP2P1~eMQWJNwJbmS0dAibklMFE9svbFTE2n1uBMkB3GNHf~BZTv-XBDqZeSyq4BoRPJViUNcDuN6wlDVoKzPvXAwLhDt6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Corey Brenner, director of federal programs for Chandler Unified School District, told the governing board on March 26 that federal and state grants support programs serving multilingual learners, migrant students, indigenous students and children experiencing homelessness.

Brenner said the district received “just under 18 and a half million dollars in grant funding” for the current school year, and that about half of that amount falls under the federal programs department. He noted Title I is the largest single grant used to fund reading and math interventionists, academic coaches and 11 Title I preschool classrooms across the district.

The presentation laid out services and staff: K–12 English language development coaches and targeted ELD specialists; a Families in Transition (McKinney‑Vento) advocate who assists unhoused and unaccompanied youth with enrollment, transportation and basic needs; an indigenous student engagement specialist funded by Johnson‑O’Malley and Title VI grants; a migrant education recruiter and advocate; and a district interpreter/translator who manages in‑person, phone and live‑interpretation tools. Val Jerry, Families in Transition advocate, described efforts to quickly enroll newly arrived students and to remove barriers such as transportation, clothing and school fees.

“We were in compliance with no findings,” Jamie Williams, one of the district ELD academic coaches, said about a January audit by the Arizona Department of Education. That finding was reiterated by Superintendent Frank Narducci later in the meeting: the ADE’s Office of English Language Acquisition Services completed monitoring for school year 2024–25 with no corrective actions required.

Staff showed trend data for the district’s English learner population, explained the AZELLA placement and reassessment process, and said parents who initially choose to withdraw children from targeted ELD instruction (parent‑withdrawn pupils) are declining as a share of newcomers. Tracy Corbin, an ELD coach, highlighted AZELLA results that district staff say show reclassification growth for many students after instruction and intervention.

Brenner also reviewed broader federal funding uncertainty under recent executive orders and federal personnel changes. He said the district is expecting “flat funding for the 2025–26 school year” but warned that longer‑term changes — such as shifting federal programs to states or other federal agencies — could change accountability and how funds are allocated.

The presentation included program counts and per‑pupil grant rates for specific programs: Johnson‑O’Malley and Title VI funding for indigenous students (reported as about $260 per student for Title VI and about $70 per student from JOM), and references to McKinney‑Vento services for unhoused students, plus migrant program activities ranging from summer learning to health supports.

The board asked about initial assessments in students’ native languages and whether the district uses pre‑program language testing beyond AZELLA. Brenner said AZELLA is administered every spring for identification and reassessment and that, per state requirements, official assessments are in English; anecdotal native‑language information is used at school sites to support families.

District staff also described translation and interpretation tools: Sylvia Santiso, district interpreter/translator, demonstrated a live‑interpretation device (ILA Pro) the district is deploying and reported the system had provided more than 800 services in over 60 languages this year, with Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Arabic most common.

Why it matters: Federal grants fund a wide portion of services for students who face language, housing and mobility barriers. The ADE audit finding of “no corrective action” removes an immediate compliance concern and gives the district more time to plan for potential funding shifts while continuing services to multilingual, migrant and unhoused students.

Looking ahead, Brenner asked the board and the community to remain vigilant about federal changes that could shift funds to states or otherwise alter accountability and data collection that staff use for local program planning.","Chandler Unified federal programs staff presented an overview of Title I, English learner services, McKinney‑Vento and related grants, saying the district received nearly $18.5 million in grant funding this school year and that the Arizona Department of Education found no audit findings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chandler Unified board approves MOUs with HealthCorps and Elevate AZ, $600K bus‑driver pilot and two media‑center renovations

Students, teachers spotlight Chandler Unified fine arts; seniors describe impact on leadership and future plans

Chandler Unified highlights Community Education: Kids Express, summer academy and preschools say enrollment rebounding

CUSD federal programs staff outline services for multilingual, migrant and unhoused students; state audit finds no compliance issues