Maricopa Unified board unanimously approves personnel changes, construction contract, policy updates and field-trip slate

The Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board on Oct. 25 approved a consent agenda and a series of action items covering personnel, facilities, policies and student travel.

The board voted unanimously (4-0) to approve the consent agenda and to take the individual actions summarized below.

Approved items at a glance

- Personnel schedule (HR): The board approved the personnel schedule with a correction to items 9 and 10 to change the funding source to Community School Fund 520. The motion to approve with that amendment passed unanimously. Board discussion noted four remaining certified-teacher openings, two of which are filled by qualified substitutes and two that are special education vacancies the district will staff with contracted services if necessary.

- District evaluators: The board approved the list of district administrators authorized to conduct certified evaluations for school year 2025–26, a routine, annually required action described by staff as a statutory housekeeping requirement.

- JOC contract for secured lobbies: The board approved a JOC contract with CORE Construction under RFP 25104-05 to install secured lobbies at three campuses (Pima Butte, Santa Rosa and Butterfield) at an estimated cost of about $670,000. Staff said most work will occur over fall break and some weekends; principals will handle communications with families and students.

- Policy revisions: The board approved several policy updates required by recently passed state laws: revisions to Policy 1-401 (parent/legal guardian rights in education) to implement provisions of Senate Bill 2231; revisions to Policy 4-101 (board authority to employ) clarifying timing for offers to new teachers; and revisions to Policy 5-201 (patriotic exercise and observance days) to reflect requirements in Senate Bill 1225 and to add a Sandra Day O’Connor civic celebration on Sept. 25. Board members said the changes primarily bring district policy into compliance with state statute.

- Field trips: The board preapproved a slate of field trips for the 2025–26 school year to allow earlier fundraising and planning. Staff said individual field-trip packet requirements — including procurement, chaperone verification and insurance — still apply and urgent or unplanned trips will be processed under the existing expedited procedures when necessary.

- Executive session motion: The board voted to adjourn to executive session pursuant to ARS 38-431.03(A)(7) to discuss negotiations for purchase, sale or lease of real estate; board members later indicated the session would not convene due to no further items.

Why it matters

The package bundles routine approvals (evaluators, field-trip preapproval) with facility work and policy changes that directly affect school operations and compliance with state law. The secured-lobby work is visible to families and has a direct budgetary impact; the policy updates respond to new state requirements about parental access to employee health credentials and observance-day instruction.

Votes and procedure

Board members recorded unanimous “aye” votes for each motion; roll-call statements identified Shontay Rothschild, Ben Owens, Patty Cutre and President Robert Downey as voting in favor. Several items generated brief staff explanations and clarifying questions but no recorded negative votes or abstentions.

What the board asked staff to do

Board members asked the district to (1) correct two HR funding-source codes on the personnel schedule, (2) communicate with principals and families about secured-lobby work and timing, and (3) continue to follow field-trip packet requirements (insurance, chaperones, procurement) even where trips are preapproved.

The board moved promptly through the agenda and did not convene the planned executive session.