Chandler Schools Superintendent Narducci outlines updates for 2526 school year

The Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) is gearing up for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year with several new initiatives aimed at enhancing student safety and academic success. Superintendent Frank Narducci shared these updates in a video message to families, emphasizing the district's commitment to maintaining its status as the top public school district in Arizona.

One of the key focuses for the new school year will be on fostering a positive school environment. All students from kindergarten through grade 12 will participate in lessons centered on kindness, civility, and bullying prevention. This initiative aims to create safe and respectful learning spaces across all CUSD schools.

In addition to promoting a positive atmosphere, the district is implementing a digital hall pass system for secondary schools. This system will allow parents and guardians to track their students' locations on campus through the Infinite Campus parent portal. The portal will also feature a new tool for parents to report student absences quickly and accurately.

The district is also adapting to new state legislation regarding cell phone use in schools. CUSD has established a governing board policy that aligns with this law, emphasizing responsible technology use in classrooms. Cell phone usage will be guided by teacher expectations and will be limited to academic purposes.

Furthermore, CUSD is standardizing start and end times for elementary schools and aligning junior high schedules more closely. This change is designed to improve transportation logistics and provide consistency across campuses. Parents are encouraged to register for bus transportation through the Infinite Campus portal.

As the school year approaches, CUSD is committed to clear and effective communication with families, ensuring they are informed about these important changes and initiatives.