[{"_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",7320330,"mediaKeyId","5743346-fe1b0212319e5139aacabf85e6c1287b","parentId",5743346,"title","Queen Creek Unified reports $73 million in construction awards, details new high school wings, elementary campus and bus yard","audioSeconds",260,"startMs",121000,"endMs",381000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5743346-fe1b0212319e5139aacabf85e6c1287b&start=121&end=381","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5743346-fe1b0212319e5139aacabf85e6c1287b/thumbnail_121000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/7320330/Arizona/Queen-Creek-Unified-reports-73-million-in-construction-awards-details-new-high-school-wings-elementary-campus-and-bus-yard","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/7320330-c83d4ab917258b1690d75659da295f02/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545830&Signature=SM0wm2-KeNXlpPlDJwrKPRDXRZ~12HcaM~pYAJTzOc-vCNM8U9FEYztCr3b7fIC1EdfQi3HyPavrmpz7ML2iNxFbMRlMAN-WT2RSn-1Qvj7BQ05cmCHql3F~Zl8V7UH8Bu27jKFxMIPvh~NiVvGYETbEZyv0uADjQ51LGgEFjnGk6TwaNOzz4-K06zttMrv0yph5DasVyy1JPK6vzTApG-q7jY30Mhk4HnuEUzEdJqbo4HcGUNAibAFZ4N0nJPeP~FyscuzHAxzdel4FXSbJ-alNRScW6Jdsk-FxDgVBJ4BpE64HMgW33S71lNSnaeXLuBezhbqXObVdigTNbWo0gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Queen Creek Unified District (4245)","date","2025-09-09T16:13:24Z","article","Amber Bridal, a district presenter, told the Queen Creek Unified School District Governing Board that the district received $73 million in awards to support several construction projects as it continues to grow. \"All of the projects highlighted tonight, fall under the strategic plan under the area of effective operations and systems,\" Bridal said, summarizing the funding sources as growth-driven allocations and competitive grants.

The district is serving about 15,600 students now and Bridal said it is planned to reach about 20,000 students when built out. Bridal said the schools facilities division awarded secondary-space funding that enabled two major high-school additions: Eastmark High School and Chrisman High School. \"At Eastmark High School, we were able to add 62,500 square feet that allowed us to build a gymnasium addition and PE classrooms, performing arts space, and a 23 classroom addition wing,\" Bridal said. She said the Eastmark addition completes much of that campus's master plan except for the performing arts center, which the schools facilities division does not fund.

Bob Lawson, who presented details of the projects, described the work completed at each campus. He said Mountain Trail Academy opened in July with about 90,000 square feet, serving preschool through sixth grade and offering 42 classrooms, a multipurpose/gym area and a technology-based media center. \"This is currently and still is, the biggest elementary award that the schools facility division has awarded,\" Lawson said.

Lawson said Chrisman High School received roughly 37,000 square feet of classroom and lab space and a new concession and restroom building to support outdoor athletic events. He described Eastmark's additions as including dance studios, choir and band rooms, a large weight room, an additional gym area and a 23-classroom wing. Lawson also said the Eastmark campus dining area was expanded to reduce congestion during lunch.

The board heard that Queen Creek High received a water-conservation grant administered through WIFA to replace turf on its multipurpose field. \"The business and operations team applied for a grant and we received about $2,700,000 to replace the grass ... with turf,\" Lawson said, adding the new surface uses an organic infill and a two-inch rubber pad to improve longevity and reduce water use.

Transportation and traffic improvements were also described. Lawson said the district built a satellite transportation yard adjacent to Queen Creek Middle School/Junior High to house part of the special-needs bus fleet and relieve overcrowding at the Old Ellsworth Road yard. He said road improvements included a new turning lane and traffic signal work at Ray Road and Copernicus near Eastmark; some project timelines were delayed by City of Mesa redesign requirements and by SRP's schedule for providing power to a new traffic signal transformer.

Board President Davis and others thanked staff and contractors for the work. The presentation closed with staff offering to answer questions and noting that some items (such as the traffic-signal energization) should finish within weeks.

Questions from board members clarified timeline and remaining punch-list items for the Copernicus intersection and SRP power installation.

The construction update was presented as information; no formal board vote was recorded on the projects during the presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","QCUSD Board Meeting September 9th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At a governing board meeting, district staff detailed $73 million in awards that funded new construction across the district including a 62,500 sq. ft. addition at Eastmark High, a 37,000 sq. ft. wing at Chrisman High, a 90,000 sq. ft. Mountain Trail Academy elementary campus, a $2.7 million turf replacement at Queen Creek High and a new satellite-","taxTitle","Queen Creek Unified District (4245), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",13622,"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},6504230,"Board approves minutes, votes consent agenda and moves into executive session on EVIT agreement",2804,99000,2903000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5743346-fe1b0212319e5139aacabf85e6c1287b&start=99&end=2903","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5743346-fe1b0212319e5139aacabf85e6c1287b/thumbnail_99000.jpg","/articles/6504230/Arizona/Board-approves-minutes-votes-consent-agenda-and-moves-into-executive-session-on-EVIT-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6504230-d34ec17e34270cedd71b4b24854d95b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545830&Signature=dFZUEVQ5ShndBblQLRJ23-1tUeiAvg3QMmPmsdlOMD6F5Yzx34ijE64OqIVBjwkvRp3YQ1cFKDD~WlDPh3tQN-5RLPePfFJcKay9FZIWdtURdPb9Etl3-86BFMpmV77cufimR8b-Up5v4GWqhbyAG5M6WGeZyPXJ86mDHxljDemhz5KhYIti1woZIIpTaJYhLTZLyFhXUWXlrJgv~lBSGwM3tMmEzZX3mcjaNIfRthcQR54~UfvlP1S-ZNHq1HrEs36EfMMKv0boDbQh0uUiIJpbEOd511izoBO2ZZ8zDgcz3fDh5TQxMxl0s6sDnRR5rdFVFYZHtdcImlRejoKpXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board opened its regular meeting at 6 p.m. and approved the board meeting minutes dated Aug. 5, 2025 by voice vote after a motion and second; the transcript records the chair calling for \"All in favor? Aye.\" The board later moved to take the consent agenda \"in its entirety,\" a motion that was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Later in the meeting the board voted to convene an executive session pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes 38-431.03(A)(3) and (4) \"for discussion and consultation for legal advice with the governing board's attorneys and or to consider its position regarding a contract that is the subject of negotiation in pending or contemplated litigation settlement discussions conducted in order to avoid or resolve litigation,\" specifically citing the EVIT satellite intergovernmental agreement. A motion and a second were recorded and the chair called for a voice vote: \"Aye. Aye. Alright. We will go into executive.\"

The transcript records motions, seconds and unanimous voice responses but does not record a roll-call tally or individual votes by name for these items in the provided segment.","The Queen Creek Unified School District Governing Board approved minutes from Aug. 5, 2025, took the consent agenda in its entirety and voted to convene an executive session to discuss the EVIT satellite intergovernmental agreement under ARS 38-431.03(A)(3) and (4).",{"_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},6504236,"Former and current Queen Creek teachers tell board of retaliation and intimidation; one seeks release from contract payment",162,2514000,2676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5743346-fe1b0212319e5139aacabf85e6c1287b&start=2514&end=2676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5743346-fe1b0212319e5139aacabf85e6c1287b/thumbnail_2514000.jpg","/articles/6504236/Arizona/Former-and-current-Queen-Creek-teachers-tell-board-of-retaliation-and-intimidation-one-seeks-release-from-contract-payment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6504236-aa2d5095cbacf30943cf317416a42b2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545830&Signature=Iy6aY~utw~K9AD81NZP5Lhq0HAAE7U7cncveMVgHEtisZ-Lo2ZIMryVExDzKZ~tqHnV056eojTOYpw3Am6IH6XwYP6ARnsGnNIaRlkRbyTI~9nOB6pWL~HkUFT6f4Dcw20ZF8xjQIxlA6qtB7~4H1aXvKSCfLOyFGb5-0MDBa9SFejV2QX5UEsvGmcnCnygBX6EYm0xnXFhwZFVIaIDcX2X6zSLbKjYGgBPwr0KbfyU-AyMdTjc9MfSrGM2IFWm6YuAC5CAvKc0ozaW2-xJ2cjeBHg6jPdjVJnXyxApgOOQz5XdQw7eHrk-GmmQcCFAvBrSCrfCH8Pb2EBaiN-6Epw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the board’s call to public, two speakers raised personnel and personnel-process concerns and asked the board to intervene or clarify district actions. The board reminded attendees at the start of call to public that, pursuant to ARS 38-431.01(H), board members may not discuss items not specifically identified on the agenda and that the board’s response to public comment is limited to directing staff to study the matter, responding to criticism or scheduling it for a future agenda.

Renee Lemons, who said she worked for the district for nine years and is no longer an employee, told the board she signed a contract and then sought to rescind it after she felt her daughter had been retaliated against. Lemons said she had been told by district staff that she would be released from the contract but later received an email saying she must pay $1,851.22. \"So I'm asking today that I be released of that, due to the fact I am not an employee with you guys anymore,\" Lemons said, and added she received an email saying the district would take legal action if payment was not made by the 12th.

Anne Cope, who said she has worked in the district for 18 years, described a sequence of personnel actions that she characterized as intimidation and unjust disciplinary moves, including being put on \"developmental status\" after years rated effective or highly effective. Cope said she was removed from class on multiple occasions after complaints she characterized as false and that the treatment hurt students due to lost instructional time. \"When teachers are intimidated and silenced or driven out, students are the ones who lose,\" Cope said, and added she intends this to be her final year because she finds the atmosphere untenable.

During the public-comment item a board member asked for an update and clarification on Cope’s situation; the transcript records the question but does not record a staff response during the public comment block. No formal board action to resolve either speaker’s requests was recorded during the meeting segment provided.","Two speakers used the public-comment period to raise personnel grievances: a former employee asked to be released from a contract repayment of $1,851.22 citing retaliation against her daughter; a current teacher said she was demoted to developmental status after being treated as a threat.",{"_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},6504241,"Queen Creek superintendent highlights new health program, safety training and student leadership activities",679,728000,1407000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5743346-fe1b0212319e5139aacabf85e6c1287b&start=728&end=1407","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5743346-fe1b0212319e5139aacabf85e6c1287b/thumbnail_728000.jpg","/articles/6504241/Arizona/Queen-Creek-superintendent-highlights-new-health-program-safety-training-and-student-leadership-activities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6504241-20ab4f92476a9f448fba379bcc6290f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775545830&Signature=LyH8kF8Pq-zqAqIYj52Q6-WMgmEvXEf4rOV~xLQVWQaZG3qu774RSjQkJZBybsODn~YPk3eoDErkIIFF50XvZj61TSFi11qTuJKl96OZ0lrKBlv0gntybBfvRagvm8SY5OB7-c2-lXdyNsDUxx1a782YymhB6lo137CvH1IB~97ILSBZuZOUoauS16PJPTwqBmjuJU4ocOvUppF5ksStTVBt2oniSi8onxnUIloWvvQyQLE9tYIBGOGhyB7upRAuwBtBL2w5G8tiBkFKJdps~HJ6RizPLqfl9UaWtUGWEuaPo8hJoGHRBkhfA6T5P~CnknzOdphUf5TpiRc34OAEeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Barry, superintendent of the Queen Creek Unified School District, used his report to frame recent activity through the district strategic plan, noting the district has put into service roughly 1,000,000 square feet of new instructional space over eight years. \"I give a superintendent report through the lens of our strategic plan,\" Dr. Barry said, and highlighted five priorities including effective operations, safety, partnerships, personnel and student success.

Under effective operations, Dr. Barry described a newly launched Aware Health program that provides district employees virtual and on-site physical therapy at no cost. He said other districts using the program have avoided surgeries and achieved 95 percent employee satisfaction and savings of more than $300,000; at Queen Creek he said \"241 of our employees could benefit right now,\" which he presented as potential cost and care reductions.

On safety, the superintendent said all staff are participating in ALICE emergency-response training and that the district’s email security blocked \"more than a 125 attacks on our system last week alone,\" which he presented as evidence of stronger digital defenses.

Dr. Barry also highlighted partnerships and community programs: a family resource center event with the Kiwanis Club that helped more than 50 students get new back-to-school clothes, a college-and-career trip to Northern Arizona University for high school students, and a business-partner breakfast to strengthen local ties. He noted student and staff recognitions, including Andrea Pettit of Crisman High School being named a 2025 Arizona Middle Grades Teacher of the Year and a Queen Creek High School Bulldog Battalion Color Guard performance at an Arizona Diamondbacks game.

Dr. Barry discussed the district’s Lehi Out Loud student leadership conference, calling it the tenth annual and noting the program has served \"over 3,000 plus students\" across its history. Student speakers in the meeting described the conference as an opportunity to practice civic participation and leadership skills.

Dr. Barry closed by thanking staff and community partners for their role in the district’s achievements.","Superintendent Dr. Barry told the board the district launched an employee physical therapy program, expanded emergency preparedness training, blocked more than 125 email attacks and celebrated staff and student awards and conferences.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Queen Creek Unified reports $73 million in construction awards, details new high school wings, elementary campus and bus yard

Board approves minutes, votes consent agenda and moves into executive session on EVIT agreement

Former and current Queen Creek teachers tell board of retaliation and intimidation; one seeks release from contract payment

Queen Creek superintendent highlights new health program, safety training and student leadership activities