[{"_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",6582511,"mediaKeyId","3088935-3bd2bc81993d143c7df0bc2fd258aa62","parentId",3088935,"title","Mesa Public Schools staff outline curriculum approval, supplemental materials and course‑catalog processes","audioSeconds",2500,"startMs",290000,"endMs",2790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088935-3bd2bc81993d143c7df0bc2fd258aa62&start=290&end=2790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088935-3bd2bc81993d143c7df0bc2fd258aa62/thumbnail_290000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582511/Arizona/Mesa-Public-Schools-staff-outline-curriculum-approval-supplemental-materials-and-coursecatalog-processes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582511-23a22bce679fc174ba9aae81b3f5b8e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775348219&Signature=TWH9-rG~OGcQzvqhV9nAMCCVA44A2g8-suFGOPevkHirqmsmyC1Jb7b8EiRG7LLOik5Pe1cLuCT~h~1kEBZKU3r2EwUkyMA4BIM3dkiVmZpyrtzC6NWMlymdbnptGw8ARs0413a~umXi~tQtA1vm-bBm0mZuVf02w3Svtf3UeMzFkAjq5VrjRqq5bnj3qLGHV8qGc0AW5HjnETX7Kv327NMah7cHroM~1QTifHWgZ3QtBI8YzYaTRmJTES3~S~ud3Q2IX29cerSl6vSMUKM-j-~3vzG3Q8gBSqlR6n2xSlwQYwz6yn2tKoQXtzF23vQsFPr8Pd2p~4SfC~0fpp13zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-23T04:23:58.667Z","article","Dr. Islas, a curriculum presenter for Mesa Public Schools, told the governing board in a study session that the district’s curriculum work begins with state standards and moves “big to granular,” and that multiple stakeholders — from the State Board of Education and the Arizona Department of Education to local teachers, parents and a Community Curriculum Advisory Panel (CCAP) — participate in designing and approving course materials.

The presentation outlined three tiers used by the district: standards (what students must learn), curriculum (how students will learn the standards) and instructional resources (the textbooks, digital courseware and supplemental tools teachers use). “Standards are really intended for teachers,” Dr. Islas said. “The curriculum is how our students are going to learn that.”

Why it matters: board members said clearer, consistent public documents and predictable review timelines matter to families and to the district’s stated goals on instruction and college and career readiness. Board members pressed staff on how the district ensures materials align to Arizona academic standards, complies with state and federal rules, and makes content accessible to families.

Most of the presentation described the formal adoption pathway for districtwide instructional resources and a separate new process for supplemental resources, created after changes in January 2023 to state law. Dr. Islas said adopted resources follow a request‑for‑proposal and evaluation track involving purchasing, information systems, subject matter evaluators and a 60‑day public review before recommendation to the superintendent and the governing board. Examples cited for K–5 and secondary adopted materials included Scholastic (K–5) and HMH (grades 6–8); staff said districts may adopt a bundle of courseware rather than a single textbook.

On supplemental materials, Dr. Islas said the district collected every tool teachers were using, applied evidence‑based rubrics (including ESSA evidence tiers for Title I purchases), checked technical and student‑privacy compliance (FERPA and COPPA), removed duplicative items and assembled an initial list that the board ratified earlier in the year. She said supplemental resources are student‑facing and intended to fill gaps that an adopted resource cannot cover; she offered PowerUp (Lexia) and Hegarty as examples.

Board members and staff discussed pilot courses and off‑label uses of approved materials. Dr. Islas said one piloted course, Changemakers, was developed at Mountain View and will be brought to CCAP in April and to the board for approval in May after staff overlooked its earlier submission. Several board members said they would like pilot or re‑packaged courses — where preapproved materials are combined into a new course outline — to go through CCAP and come before the board so parents can see a consistent syllabus or course description before enrolling students. Board member Miss Chaffee said, “I would like to request that when a school is teaching in their course ... that that course should go through the CCAP process and come before the board.”

Staff emphasized the difference between curriculum and lesson plans: building administrators and teachers typically create syllabuses and pacing. Dr. Islas said the district is working on a consistent syllabus format for secondary teachers but that teachers retain day‑to‑day lesson‑planning authority.

Several board members asked where parents and board members can view “content” — the specific units or topics taught. Dr. Islas pointed to the competency documents adopted this year (the new public‑facing curriculum templates), which include “content considerations” and “I can” indicators; for example, staff said sixth‑grade social studies lists the time period (Early Civilizations to Renaissance and Reformation) and associated indicators. Board members asked staff to make it easier for parents to access the actual instructional resources and suggested links to online vendor materials and district displays during the 60‑day public review.

Dr. Islas described CCAP as a board‑appointed advisory committee of 10 members (including three principals and a superintendent designee) that follows Arizona open‑meeting laws, requires a quorum of six, and makes recommendations to the governing board; CCAP provides feedback and recommends curriculum for board approval but does not have final adopting authority.

Board members asked for clearer timelines and better data on what works in classrooms. Member Hutchinson said the board needs to know not only that grades are improving but “what is working and what's not working” so the district can “stay the course and or alter the course.” Superintendent Forliss and staff agreed to follow up with cross‑departmental analysis and to return with summative semester metrics that link classroom interventions, adopted and supplemental materials, and student outcomes.

The presentation did not propose new board action beyond routine approval steps; staff described ongoing cycles of review, a biannual supplemental‑resource ratification process, and longer timelines for course catalog revisions (some curriculum updates have taken two to 2½ years, Dr. Islas said). Ending the session, board leaders and staff reiterated they would return with updated materials and recommended process changes to increase transparency and consistency for parents and teachers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Governing Board Study Session & Regular Board Meeting - April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dr. Islas, a curriculum presenter for Mesa Public Schools, told the governing board in a study session that the district’s curriculum work begins with state standards and moves “big to granular,” and that multiple stakeholders participate in designing and approving curricula and instructional materials.","taxTitle","Mesa Unified District (4235), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",13601,"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},6582501,"Students and parents urge board to restore full‑time band director at Skyline High School",965,8169000,9134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088935-3bd2bc81993d143c7df0bc2fd258aa62&start=8169&end=9134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088935-3bd2bc81993d143c7df0bc2fd258aa62/thumbnail_8169000.jpg","/articles/6582501/Arizona/Students-and-parents-urge-board-to-restore-fulltime-band-director-at-Skyline-High-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582501-f565a37405238e7b96c0741fcdaebe30/orig.mp4?Expires=1775348219&Signature=JyBkCqawFVvSU0yGE0OVL4pcTOjPItfYoYgJbhaLpiuhNqs4RyI3USucVz9nKJr3YH-OAz930r~tKOPbhDXOpMLE0Swhq-ra0pNRuhekohvczxQD4NyW4PjLX0zXgxJMKsO0V0L9rVgKEmrwhRxNGHuN06oiXIubUq1Oh-g6fMnLcSh0n86Q0FhJVVkYeMGtPE0085o~bPqTADodXQ26zwRPnl5FJZ~t1TYAko-nrZFozGek0Zmk51XOo9LIVRIWnEf2aBNEEhNK9WofLBc6BB5GvIDyQYyblDT8eSVMBPwDuw1cs~wZGomnm9LHhv76bv6Wqf4uxwdOMb3PGdhaeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple Skyline High School students, parents and supporters used the meeting’s public comment period to ask the district to restore a full‑time band director, describing marching band as an intensive, year‑round program that requires daily on‑campus leadership.

Michael Kaczmarek, a Skyline student, told the board the teaching role “needs to be a full time” position because competitions, rehearsals and preparation require more time than a part‑time schedule allows: “We only can have half the time with the teacher ... it’s gonna put stress on us as students,” he said.

Fellow student Mila Perret, a Skyline freshman who participates in marching band, honor band, jazz band and advanced choir, said the director’s availability outside class hours matters for preparing for competitions and rehearsals. “My school band is not a part time position. It requires full attention to so many things,” she said, pointing to the group’s recent competitive successes.

Parents and other supporters echoed that argument in public remarks. Erin Parrott, a band parent, said the program’s recent achievements — including state competition placements and student participation in the Macy’s All American Band — reflect sustained teacher effort and require a full‑time director: “Taking away a full time band position is going to end a band program at the high school level,” she said.

Skyline sophomore Corbin Hood told the board that band leadership affects student growth and extracurricular access: “All of our success is dependent on having a band director on campus every day ... Reducing this position to part‑time status is not gonna improve our high school band.” Several public commenters asked the board and superintendent to work with Skyline leadership to restore a full‑time position.

What the board and staff said: the president said the superintendent’s office would forward the comments to the superintendency for followup. Trustees asked staff to respond with additional information; multiple board members and staff later noted they would take the concerns to the district office and discuss scheduling and staffing options.

Context and numbers mentioned in public comment: students and parents cited recent competitive results (band placed fourth in state; students selected for national honors including Macy’s All American Band; recent wins at NAU competitions) and described heavy out‑of‑class commitments such as band camp and multiple ensemble rehearsals. Supporters said the director’s availability for after‑hours rehearsals, feeder‑school recruitment and community events is essential to program continuity and to maintaining extracurricular opportunities for students.

The board did not take formal action during the public‑comment segment; commenters asked staff to follow up with the superintendent and school leadership.","Students, parents and band supporters told the Mesa Public Schools board during public comment that the Skyline High School marching‑band director's position was cut to part time and urged the district to restore a full‑time position to preserve program quality and extracurricular opportunities.",{"_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},6582507,"Board approves contracts, technology purchases and meal price increase; delegates Title VI certifications to superintendent",356,6405000,6761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088935-3bd2bc81993d143c7df0bc2fd258aa62&start=6405&end=6761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088935-3bd2bc81993d143c7df0bc2fd258aa62/thumbnail_6405000.jpg","/articles/6582507/Arizona/Board-approves-contracts-technology-purchases-and-meal-price-increase-delegates-Title-VI-certifications-to-superintendent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582507-b1d307c258e23b6a23deb808b987e73c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775348219&Signature=nSqwBdDakxLsSndtB56gYcQeU3EgM-Cb39LN7oj60VGj-1wJkiI~YfbKGPPbO9Lz6UZqrT1D93wvFSmDT6zO9SsIauoOeVGXiw7YgK4Ey-rQ8RTMKKFRhAcjLHA7R2XZFh-LJa1Z~iCzdU4zyVApaBR1WMUOq~5LMecGo1xrkQw0oC2gYHFzjnPeJgHhVwm-fjjGfbzpQoc-6muXswlyliN6bzfA-4-NWsLhMkFSAW-lnRfGpkaMBH-lvxD5hAPfERFLtANnPzunDrBMfQ0UTjp9EdzbZa4XVAiTVAufHHk2ZyNo6u8qJcznP3vPxW8XDfrxgIs6B4vJOaDxWpQg7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board approved a set of procurement, personnel and routine items at its April meeting, including a memorandum of understanding tied to a state math course exploration, several technology purchases, a CTE facility contract and the annual social studies supplemental‑materials renewal. The board also voted to delegate authority to the superintendent to sign federal assurances required by the Arizona Department of Education; that delegation passed 3 yeas, 1 nay and 1 abstention.

Key outcomes \"at a glance\":

- Memorandum of Understanding — ISQR early exploration project: approved (motion and unanimous vote recorded). The MOU will let the Arizona Department of Education, with WestEd and foundation funding, engage district teachers in professional learning to explore a possible integrated statistics or quantitative‑reasoning fourth‑year math pathway; the agreement covers one year of professional learning and leaves any student pilot or data sharing subject to later approvals. The board approved the MOU by a 5–0 vote.

- Dobson High School — welding shop contract award ($1,195,658): board approved converting a former metals lab into a welding shop to support Career and Technical Education; vote 5–0.

- MacBook contract increase ($350,000): approved 5–0. District staff said the increase responded to changes in pricing and the need to procure additional devices for instructional use; a separate technology contract increase for $3,000,000 for student 1:1 devices was also approved (5–0) and staff said bond funds and price volatility motivated the timing.

- Social studies supplemental software/resources renewal ($500,000): approved 5–0. Staff said seven vendors and multiple products were selected after a 2023 adoption and supplemental review process to address grade‑band standards and inquiry‑based tools (DBQs, primary‑source collections) used across middle and high school courses.

- Authorization to pay warrants (period ending 04/18/2025): approved 5–0. Board members asked staff to supply clearer line‑item descriptions on future warrant reports so trustees can see the purpose of a payment.

- Naming of Poston Junior High disc golf course: board approved naming two courses the Purcell North Course and the Purcell South Course (5–0).

- School meal price increase for FY2025‑26: approved (15¢ for breakfast; 25¢ for lunch for staff and students), vote 5–0.

- Delegation of federal assurances (Title VI / FERPA / PPRA) to the superintendent: the board voted to delegate authority that allows the superintendent to sign the Arizona Department of Education’s request for certification and assurances necessary to preserve eligibility for federal grant funding. That motion carried 3 yeas, 1 nay and 1 abstention; one board member read her no vote as a concern about student‑privacy protections under FERPA.

What board members asked: trustees questioned the MOU’s timeline and whether student data would ever be shared; staff said the first year is professional learning for teachers and that any student data sharing would use district data‑sharing agreements and anonymized identifiers. Trustees also asked for details about which schools or programs would receive laptop purchases and for clearer documentation on warrant line items.

Roll call and vote tallies: the board recorded multiple unanimous approvals with “5 yeas” for the majority of procurement items. The Title VI/FERPA/PPRA delegation vote was recorded as 3 yeas, 1 nay and 1 abstain.

The board approved the items during its regular meeting after the study session; staff said some contract increases were timed to lock in pricing in the face of supply‑chain and tariff‑driven volatility.","At its regular meeting the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board approved multiple procurement and routine items — including a welding shop contract, laptop purchases, and social studies supplemental resources — and delegated authority to the superintendent to sign federal Title VI/FERPA/PPRA assurances. The Title VI delegation passed 3–1–1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mesa Public Schools staff outline curriculum approval, supplemental materials and course‑catalog processes

Students and parents urge board to restore full‑time band director at Skyline High School

Board approves contracts, technology purchases and meal price increase; delegates Title VI certifications to superintendent