The Cave Creek Unified School District Governing Board on April 22 approved human-resources items including employee resignations and transfers after a presentation by district HR staff.

District HR reported about 27 resignations and said that, as of the board meeting, overall numbers were “pretty much on par” with past turnover. HR staff told the board most teachers who requested transfers were placed at Black Mountain, Horseshoe Trails or Desert Willow and that the district is not seeing an unusual uptick in resignations at specific grade bands.

HR and cabinet members said the district still has a few open special-education (SPED) positions, but that attrition and internal reassignments mean some vacancies will not need to be refilled. The board heard that a contract-return deadline of May 6 will give a clearer picture of final staffing.

Board members pressed HR on the operational impacts of losing long-tenured staff who hold specialized roles. HR answered that principals and central staff are pursuing aggressive recruitment and marketing, including combining part-time fractions (for example, 0.8 positions) and cross-posting roles (for example, “math/STEM”) to attract candidates. HR noted benefit eligibility typically starts at about 30 hours per week and that the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) eligibility rules apply for retirement contributions.

Board members asked about contingency plans if specialized positions remain vacant. District leaders said they would use attrition, combine compatible duties (for example, theater and video production), outsource certain specialty services when necessary, and work with principals to direct students to alternate course offerings. The board also discussed the complications of students mid-program (for example, the two-year IB theater sequence) and was told district staff are working with school leaders to provide required certifications or alternative staffing so students can complete multi-year sequences.

After discussion, the board voted to approve the human-resources items on the agenda.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the HR slate; board members voiced unanimous assent during the roll call vote and the chair declared the motion carried.