[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6619168,"mediaKeyId","2959009-441c0ebfc7b7c4557d784feaf150df68","parentId",2959009,"title","Candidates stress school safety, law-enforcement partnerships and curriculum oversight in Higley forums","audioSeconds",5419,"startMs",485000,"endMs",5904000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959009-441c0ebfc7b7c4557d784feaf150df68&start=485&end=5904","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959009-441c0ebfc7b7c4557d784feaf150df68/thumbnail_485000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6619168/Arizona/Candidates-stress-school-safety-law-enforcement-partnerships-and-curriculum-oversight-in-Higley-forums","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619168-7c9da6d60b7d8601e80baab7b8d60df9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140700&Signature=WXl1h1obvMU-Vi8qhpbza4AdFuTIdJAnx6oOYe0lznAis-MUUoURgAYEqpTPkfnpOijf0ku25J6QNows4qdimeML7wyd3ZMohXm~w5VjFYEwtvmE26rNHITQyKiHceCTQmvZCMRnSL7nJSDEQHTUOiAv9mhreN4PtVihXQV4zG04HyPzqThv2WYdD2ZNChfL2yNzFzBoEE6iRMBIBw~aaayeuJNhPSzsFF70ArbRZ~TeVYtnNkd1UvDYfQ83wOmcGhSsMZARsdWkiukHLhd~49~olIQq3qyM8zninnNkONTykcr-yFK-DG3haEZ-fdGo4n2dt8UYCQUWEK7EhB42Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-27T15:59:19Z","article","Safety and curriculum oversight featured prominently at the Higley Unified superintendent finalist forums as candidates described current measures and proposed next steps.

Dr. Bridal Copeland described a layered approach to safety that included bond-funded physical upgrades (single-entry points, safety glass and buzzer systems), monthly coordination with Mesa Police Department and Queen Creek Police Department, and an educational video about the \"power of words\" that she said students watch \"twice a year\" and which she credited with a decline in threat-related discipline incidents. She also noted experience designing career-path high schools where students can graduate with industry certificates.

David Lotzenheiser discussed operational safety measures, citing school-safety grants that supported the placement of SROs/SSOs at secondary campuses, the use of camera systems and pilot programs such as vape detectors; he said technology filters and device-management are part of campus safety in addition to perimeter security. Lotzenheiser also described the district’s planned English curriculum adoption cycle and said public review and stakeholder committees will be part of the process.

Dr. Randy Millerwein said he would prioritize rebuilding transparent relationships with law enforcement and the community, and then review existing policies and standard operating procedures to determine what additional tools might be needed. \"I have to earn my title,\" he said in describing a leadership style that emphasizes humility and collective problem solving. All three finalists said curriculum decisions should follow district policy, include public review and be supported by training to ensure materials are implemented with fidelity in classrooms.

None of the finalists proposed specific new spending levels in the forums; several said future resource decisions would depend on board direction and the district’s fiscal condition. Candidates emphasized that safety and curriculum work would continue to involve site leaders, law-enforcement partners and parent or community advisory groups rather than unilateral decisions from the superintendent’s office.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Superintendent Search Finalist Forum February 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Finalists emphasized physical-security upgrades, partnerships with local police, curriculum-adoption processes and public review as priorities if selected as superintendent.","taxTitle","Higley Unified School District (4248), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",12982,"location","Arizona","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6619173,"Finalists cite enrollment decline and override loss as central fiscal challenges for Higley USD",3538,1428000,4966000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959009-441c0ebfc7b7c4557d784feaf150df68&start=1428&end=4966","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959009-441c0ebfc7b7c4557d784feaf150df68/thumbnail_1428000.jpg","/articles/6619173/Arizona/Finalists-cite-enrollment-decline-and-override-loss-as-central-fiscal-challenges-for-Higley-USD","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619173-f91365863ba1919544634297bc00c742/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140700&Signature=ARBbDxvxboPnXPRljS2lJc8meQrI7kKaFOgK61WhF2CsPWQy0t-aNjm~u89RS-8bXpx1N3eiGpWJ~NDoRLvDmZylqwpFKnWusG3dc0Id0lgZZTNG4ocfaEKr0QeqdfKK7T5VxRuL7GmU~rlQ7i0adp-4BZ4VTRFzkRS31kHuwEo0cbs64VYeAKizOwywe3N-1MK-xmQ6VtK1yKpM5YU-5uLumKuSqT4-PHqPsMQY2o-fwWObbgRDI1j3F3yLkZAWTmlpdSjHLWzD0tEG8LAc60T9jPUz~BsJkISa5Op3SVYK3kBqU36qNWy~h9E56g4Z496fm-Kc4ef9Fb8pz8~tSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At public finalist forums for Higley Unified School District’s superintendent search, all three finalists said enrollment decline and the district’s recent failed override renewal present near-term fiscal challenges. Several candidates framed those challenges as linked to community perception and teacher retention.

David Lotzenheiser said he would prioritize continuity and community outreach and flagged a specific near-term shortfall: \"This year, we are gonna graduate 300 more seniors who are leaving us than we have kindergartners coming in,\" he said. Dr. Bridal Copeland noted the district recently had an override renewal that did not pass and said she would work with staff and community partners to strategize enrollment and fiscal solutions. Dr. Randy Millerwein called for rebuilding trust and \"telling the community what we're doing well,\" saying public schools must do a better job communicating their programs and results.

Candidates proposed similar responses: increase visible, school-level outreach; leverage events and extracurricular programs to share district success stories; strengthen business and chamber partnerships; and expand career and choice programs that candidates said attract families. Lotzenheiser described a strategy of “one interaction at a time” — encouraging staff and administrators to use every contact with families and community members as an opportunity to share the district’s programs and achievements.

On compensation and retention, candidates said fiscal constraints complicate pay increases but urged nonmonetary supports—strong professional learning communities, mentoring for new teachers and clearer communication about how budget decisions support classrooms. No candidate provided dollar amounts for proposed compensation changes; candidates said precise financial steps would depend on board decisions and available funding.","During public finalist forums, candidates identified declining kindergarten cohorts, a failed override renewal and teacher retention as interrelated fiscal challenges and proposed outreach, storytelling and partnership strategies to address them.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6619178,"Higley Unified holds public finalist forum; board to name superintendent March 4",9758,42000,9800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959009-441c0ebfc7b7c4557d784feaf150df68&start=42&end=9800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959009-441c0ebfc7b7c4557d784feaf150df68/thumbnail_42000.jpg","/articles/6619178/Arizona/Higley-Unified-holds-public-finalist-forum-board-to-name-superintendent-March-4","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619178-61f98cd2c03988f649680f54c1a778d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140700&Signature=ckDu8YrVyjmH3QkZih-hxukd3dddnlkSnQWy7dTEh2FaAvSAfkoB~Djuntx7Ka40ScgYXgHR7Ed1tdYvkfM8fywxw7fmBxA1~i7ds1IM7hzQ-iOx7KDu2TBWZYgJK1OoLfDWrxpyVWL~Ulu2Dc-yXZpOAAoaFFgceoCBXmIU9XipuILYdSqyPIRj7ZPRtjkN1oNCEuTKvR5ChY-IGfeqDI2MlzMMhXetR9C3EEaUkcNJkc9XoI0q8EVgBBAqftlYnu~PGTDlassnjan5dbh~Y0bpcltbwejc1~m8Powgt74R6QMe1T9K2ubtkSmoVUxlT6ycpfwvQO4brOixyFfpwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Higley Unified School District hosted public finalist forums where three finalists for the district superintendent post — Dr. Bridal Copeland, David Lotzenheiser and Dr. Randy Millerwein — presented their backgrounds, priorities and answers to community questions. The district collected public feedback through a short online survey that opened the evening of the forums and was scheduled to close the following day at noon; the governing board will consider the survey results ahead of a March 4 vote to name the next superintendent.

The forum format gave each finalist 20 minutes for an introduction and 25 minutes for questions drawn from staff, students and community survey responses. Dr. Bridal Copeland described her 27-year career in public education and highlighted school-opening experience, career-path academy work and safety partnerships with local police. David Lotzenheiser, the district’s executive director of secondary education and athletics, emphasized continuity and relationships, and warned of a steep near-term enrollment decline: \"This year, we are gonna graduate 300 more seniors who are leaving us than we have kindergartners coming in,\" he said. Dr. Randy Millerwein, a district-level administrator who has previously worked in Higley, stressed team leadership, humility and taking ownership of district problems.

Why the forums matter: the board’s selection will set leadership direction for the district as it faces enrollment and budget pressures, carries implementation of safety and curriculum policies, and seeks to retain teachers and community support. Candidates repeatedly raised similar themes: student success and career readiness, safety and law-enforcement partnerships, transparent communication with parents, and strategies to attract and retain teachers. Several finalists also referenced recent local funding efforts: one candidate noted an override renewal did not pass and called for renewed community outreach.

During question-and-answer sessions, finalists offered specifics about their priorities and experience. Copeland cited having led planning and programming for new high schools with career-path academies and a safety education video watched \"twice a year\" that she said reduced threat-related discipline incidents. Lotzenheiser described programs he helped create, including career-focused pathways and an Institute for Cyber Operations and Networking, and said continuity of the current district leadership team was a reason he wants to remain in Higley. Millerwein described his leadership philosophy — \"I have to earn my title\" — and emphasized building relationships with industry and higher education partners to expand student opportunities.

The district asked attendees to use a QR code to complete a short survey; staff said results would be available to the board before its executive session the following day. The board will publicly announce and vote on the next superintendent at its March 4 meeting.","Higley Unified School District hosted public finalist forums featuring three finalists who described their experience, priorities and plans. The district asked the public to submit feedback via a short survey that closes the next day; the governing board is scheduled to select a candidate at its March 4 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

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Candidates stress school safety, law-enforcement partnerships and curriculum oversight in Higley forums

Finalists cite enrollment decline and override loss as central fiscal challenges for Higley USD

Higley Unified holds public finalist forum; board to name superintendent March 4