Show Low Unified District board approves calendar, wellness policy, personnel actions and new Best Buddies club; hears update on Whipple flood

The Show Low Unified District (4393) governing board on Feb. 1 approved a package of routine and program actions including a two‑year school calendar, a wellness policy required by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), personnel hirings and resignations, and a new Best Buddies student club at the high school.

Board members described the calendar and handbook items as standard preparatory steps for the 2025–26 school year. The board adopted the two‑year calendars for 2025–26 and 2026–27 so families and staff can plan; board members and staff noted limited calendar flexibility because schools do not operate on Fridays.

Superintendent report: The superintendent updated the board on flood damage at Whipple Ranch Elementary and work to restore affected classrooms and the auditorium. The district has notified its insurance trust and contracted RestorePro for cleanup and restoration, the superintendent said. Staff also reported ongoing planning with campus principals and directors on staffing and class-size needs for next year and said the district’s district‑vision committee had held its first meeting and will meet again on Feb. 27 (date provided by staff).

Recognitions: The board recognized student and staff achievements. Music staff reported that 70 Show Low High School students were selected for the Arizona Music Educators Association Northeast Region Large Group Festival; 51 qualified for the 100‑member choir, 24 instrumentalists were accepted, and several students placed first chairs in their sections. The board also honored Linden Elementary students Sofia and Vander and staff members including Sherry Ramirez and Ida Carpenter for classroom and school leadership.

Policies and handbooks: The board conducted a first reading of model policies (policy numbers presented on the agenda as 5‑2031‑301, 5‑204, 5‑408) and approved the high‑school course description handbook for 2025–26. The wellness policy — required for federal and state nutrition program compliance and to be reviewed annually with a three‑year comprehensive review by committee — was approved; board members said the policy will be reviewed annually and revised on the three‑year cycle.

Meals and technology: The board approved a meal‑charge policy required by federal/state guidance; staff said the policy includes existing practice (no alternative meal after the last 10 school days) and that the district plans to improve balance notifications via email, text and automated phone calls. The board also approved disposal of school property items (obsolete iPads) to auction.

Personnel and extracurriculars: The board approved recommended classified hires, substitutes and athletic staff; accepted classified and certified resignations and transfers; and approved activity personnel appointments (coaches). The board approved out‑of‑state travel requests for staff to attend training and conferences (Association of School Business Officials spring conference in Laughlin, Nev., and Tyler Technologies conference in San Antonio) and accepted four donations, including dictionaries from the Elks Lodge and a contribution from the Show Low Youth Recreation and Sports Foundation to support a senior trip.

Student clubs and calendar timing: The board approved a Best Buddies club aimed at pairing general‑education and special‑education students for inclusive activities. Board members also moved the March regular meeting from March 13 to March 20 to allow more time to prepare teacher contracts; staff noted March 15 is the earliest statutory date to issue contracts.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows motions to approve the agenda, January minutes, financial vouchers, personnel items, calendars, policies, club approval, travel and donations; each motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition in the transcript. Specific motion text and agenda item numbers are summarized below.

Procedural note: Most approvals were routine and passed by voice vote with “Aye” recorded. Where the transcript records only voice approval and not a roll‑call tally of named votes, this report records the outcome as approved/passed per the meeting record.