[{"_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",6519099,"mediaKeyId","5375194-0c0adee108f7d881743811aa77992bdd","parentId",5375194,"title","Douglas Unified board adopts device policy, approves budget and multiple personnel and school‑finance items","audioSeconds",4391,"startMs",929000,"endMs",5320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5375194-0c0adee108f7d881743811aa77992bdd&start=929&end=5320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5375194-0c0adee108f7d881743811aa77992bdd/thumbnail_929000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6519099/Arizona/Douglas-Unified-board-adopts-device-policy-approves-budget-and-multiple-personnel-and-schoolfinance-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519099-ade22075bd9b5418cc6677a415c204e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773109780&Signature=haSqs1H055fk0qJpypgzO51tq3FdJqMUlxHGVcyKQJgT3YQ3kBRsJeIhtbIPbThyg8~c7KoH2~DuhtOoBxPetDYdg0TIaJ4WNFk4L-C3wCO1JTa-Rcidmuc3AYLdvt0AYj0T4EppUWg5DpI6B79Vm60qOpDouvdL8fX~eOqIUc-HFin~tMXrmvIntLSjkycYoZ8E0guwi5TAcHt8p9pBl3BysRFomZigt~HTAGZw6-k9NcTq1itH17J4feai3fIDa7EMjXkl5NHdqdnbZsy~wsaYszpoTYm4q94TQ3dDlmnsOR3yh62v1-7pxLqZSawPMqSZ-XNo5dEg8TKlUP1N5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Douglas Unified District ","date","2025-07-12T12:44:50Z","article","The Douglas Unified School District governing board approved the second reading of a technology/device policy that restricts cell phones and similar electronic devices at school, adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 district expenditure budget as presented, and recorded multiple routine personnel and school‑finance decisions during a special meeting.

Device policy adopted

On second reading, the board approved a policy that requires cell phones to be turned off prior to entering campus, with an exception for students who have a documented medical need approved by school administration and supported by a licensed health provider. The policy makes clear that “smartwatches” and other wearable devices can be treated as devices subject to confiscation if they are used to communicate during restricted times. Miss Samaniego (district administrator) said the policy will be shared with families and that schools will use a signed acknowledgement form in registration packets. Building principals at elementary and middle schools described established enforcement practices, with principals noting warnings and parent pickup as usual steps and emphasizing administrative discretion to avoid suspensions where possible.

Budget adoption

The board adopted the district annual expenditure budget for fiscal year 2025–26 based on last year’s forms and a working average daily membership (ADM) number the district used for the proposal. Staff said they will return with a budget revision in September after the state finalizes the per‑pupil allocation and property‑tax figures; the administrator stated the revised per‑pupil allocation will be $5,113.26 and that a September revision will reflect that change.

Other votes and housekeeping actions

The board approved several routine items by roll call. All recorded roll calls for the motions below registered unanimous ‘‘Yes’’ votes from the board members present.

Votes at a glance

- Increase instructional aides’ hours for a preschool program (Wednesdays; 1 additional hour). Outcome: approved. (motion moved; roll call unanimous)

- Approval of classified resignations (listed positions included campus security at Douglas High School, ESS instructional aide, athletics coordinator at Douglas High School). Outcome: approved. (motion moved; roll call unanimous)

- Classified internal transfer (information only): a health aide transfer from Paul Huber to Sarah Marley. Outcome: informational (no vote required).

- Acceptance of donations: multiple DonorsChoose grants to classroom teachers and local donations to Clawson Elementary and the DHS girls basketball club. Outcome: approved. (motion moved; roll call unanimous)

- Remove the early learning center from the district school finance system/ADA records (it is no longer an open school; preschool attendance records will be linked to the actual school sites or the new DHS preschool entity). Outcome: approved. (motion moved; roll call unanimous)

- Name the Douglas High School preschool program the “Douglas High School Early Education Preschool” and request ADE issue an entity number for that program. Outcome: approved. (motion moved; roll call unanimous)

- Remove preschool as a grade offered at Clawson, Ferris and Sarah Marley elementary schools for the 2025‑26 school year (these schools will be identified as K–5). Outcome: approved. (motion moved; roll call unanimous)

- Second reading and adoption of the student technology/device policy (prohibits on‑campus cell phone use; includes medical exceptions; includes smartwatches and other wearables in the definition of covered devices). Outcome: approved. (motion moved; roll call unanimous)

- Adopt the district annual expenditure budget for fiscal year 2025–26 (based on prior year forms; staff to return with a revision in September once state allocations and property tax results are finalized). Outcome: approved. (motion moved by board member; roll call unanimous)

What the votes mean for implementation

Staff emphasized that several of the school‑finance changes are administrative cleanups requested by the Arizona Department of Education so the district’s PowerSchool and school finance records reflect where students are physically served. For example, preschool students formerly listed under an “early learning center” will now be recorded under the school where they attend or under the newly named DHS preschool entity once ADE issues an entity number.

During the device policy discussion principals warned administrators and the board that stricter enforcement could increase recorded discipline referrals in the short term; administrators said they will include a signed acknowledgement in registration materials, hold parent and student orientations, and apply discretion (including restorative approaches) to avoid disproportionate suspensions.

Meeting formalities

All actions described above were approved by roll call with the votes recorded as \"Yes\" by the board members present. The board adjourned at the conclusion of the special meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DUSD #27 Special Board Meeting & Budget Adoption - July 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Douglas Unified School District governing board approved the second reading of a technology/device policy that restricts cell phones and similar electronic devices at school, adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 district expenditure budget as presented, and recorded multiple routine personnel and school‑finance decisions during a special meeting.","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},6519102,"U.S. Department of Education places federal grants on hold; Douglas Unified outlines contingency plan",3358,1903000,5261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5375194-0c0adee108f7d881743811aa77992bdd&start=1903&end=5261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5375194-0c0adee108f7d881743811aa77992bdd/thumbnail_1903000.jpg","/articles/6519102/Arizona/US-Department-of-Education-places-federal-grants-on-hold-Douglas-Unified-outlines-contingency-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519102-a6c1052ea3d1168eb8717d4eb22e3355/orig.mp4?Expires=1773109780&Signature=Mb2Vsv2UvXRAd3flfE~OdHDakO3aIIkeX-KHB3~0sImRiMllNjImhPSsTmAqukeYSc4Sd3TthWSSDPVSMzhQa6XAU-Qzq6Do8YjfDk4xoJWkt5g9xPpd7qbUFFl7aj7fHnezOLSqdoVsb1AZUiJkA-lwN-dxHY~KMRVv7kmUT1usBOmlvXTU~Q--M2qsgvVRAYUc32nzlD7SoHVyN6UZAkgsKL6Z-u0ir5o-iZZAlfrrpiDFLo-IP7WgmhkljMK3ujVuJyCVlIg92hhcZ2fIzk5dudXI9YU6ge2PlUkGKDuRu2KY9g7Q~-CKFw38QNxeU0Fr1ArPor6q2PydLnpoTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a special Douglas Unified School District governing board meeting, district staff reported that the U.S. Department of Education has placed a hold on several federal formula and competitive grants, and outlined a contingency plan to preserve grant-funded positions while the hold remains in effect.

The hold “is on all federal funding including Title I, Title II, Title III, [and] Title IV,” said Miss Samaniego (district grants administrator), who presented the summary and financial impacts to the board. She said the district’s immediate exposure if all affected obligations were not funded is $623,963.17.

Why it matters: the hold affects programs that fund staff and student services across the district. Miss Samaniego listed estimated shortfalls by program that the hold could cause if payments are not released: about $163,796.85 for Title II (professional development/new teacher induction), $97,060.72 for Title III (ELL services), roughly $160,000 for a 21st Century after-school program, and smaller impacts tied to Title I-c (migrant) positions. She said the total statewide hold was large — the number presented to the board was $134,300,000 — and reiterated the district-level exposure of about $623,963.17 if those funds are not ultimately obligated.

District contingency and constraints

Staff described a narrow contingency: using Title I carryover and existing balances within federal grants to temporarily fund four positions that are most at risk while waiting for federal guidance. Miss Samaniego said staff believe the district could “operate without making any changes right now” by using carryover and other grant flexibility to keep four positions funded for the remainder of the school year, but only if the board authorizes that approach and the department ultimately approves any grant revisions.

Miss Moen (grants staff, new director) said she had already emailed specialists at ADE and at the federal level and will follow up to obtain written guidance. Miss Cox (former grants director, now in human resources) told the board she did not foresee an immediate technical barrier to moving some positions into Title I’s district set‑aside for professional development, noting Title I’s recent revisions to include professional development set‑asides.

Board concerns and legal/audit risk

Multiple board members warned about audit risk. Mister Lindeman (board member) cautioned that if administration moved positions into Title I while the federal hold targeted those same poverty‑linked programs, a future federal audit could find an improper use of funds and require repayment. “If you moved those positions into the Title I grant and they come back and say you used the money when we specifically told you to hold it, you could have an audit finding,” Lindeman said.

Miss Samaniego and other staff repeatedly framed the contingency as strictly provisional: no staff will be moved into other grant accounts until a grant revision is approved by the director and until the district receives written confirmation. “We can’t move anybody unless that grant is approved by the director,” Samaniego said.

Program-level consequences described for stakeholders

Staff explained program-specific consequences if particular grants remain unfunded: 21st Century after‑school offerings could be cancelled (the program funds coordinators, after‑school teachers and summer days); Title III shortfalls could reduce the district’s capacity to pay for an additional ELL coach; and Title II shortfalls would affect professional development and the new teacher induction supports the district planned to fund.

Staff said they had not yet hired for some positions tied to the 21st Century program and therefore would not be terminating current district employees for that reason; rather, the program itself would not run if federal funding were not provided.

Next steps

The board did not vote to redirect funds. Members asked administration to continue seeking written guidance from ADE and the relevant federal specialists, and to report back with recommendations. Miss Moen said she had emailed specialists and would follow up by phone if she did not receive timely written responses. Miss Samaniego said she would notify the board as soon as she had definitive guidance and that administration would not implement any grant reassignments without director approval and board direction.

The board scheduled continuing oversight: administration will update the board in regular meetings and escalate if written guidance recommends a different approach.","At a special Douglas Unified School District governing board meeting, district staff reported that the U.S. Department of Education has placed a hold on several federal formula and competitive grants, and outlined a contingency plan to preserve grant-funded positions while the hold remains in effect.","actionData","errors"]

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Douglas Unified board adopts device policy, approves budget and multiple personnel and school‑finance items

U.S. Department of Education places federal grants on hold; Douglas Unified outlines contingency plan