Lake Havasu principals set ambitious proficiency targets, outline tutoring and test-prep steps; board approves budget and policy first reading

Lake Havasu Unified School District principals presented school-level goals and coordinated action plans on Aug. 14 aimed at raising student proficiency on the Arizona Student Assessment (AASA) and the ACT, while the governing board approved a 2026 budget amendment and advanced a slate of policy updates on first reading.

District student achievement director Miss Olsen told the board the district will focus on two priorities for the year: "what is being taught" (alignment to Arizona state standards) and "how it is being taught" (defining and monitoring high-impact instructional elements). She said the district has identified eight instructional elements — including clear learning objectives, student engagement and formative assessment — and will provide monthly tools and observation support for site leaders.

The presentations that followed laid out school-specific SMART goals and interventions. SmokeTree Elementary Principal Mrs. Mersin said SmokeTree will seek an 8% increase in third- through sixth-grade ELA and math proficiency, describing action steps that include backward-designed lesson planning, weekly grade-level planning with special education collaboration, content-writing professional development and expanded after-school tutoring and homework-club supports.

Nautilus Principal (Miss Williams) described a 10% proficiency goal for grades 3–6 and said monthly data meetings, targeted after-school tutoring twice a week and intentional use of…