Douglas Unified board approves multiple personnel actions, waives preschool tuition for special‑education students and directs ASBA delegate

The Douglas Unified School District governing board approved a package of personnel actions, donations and policy items following its regular meeting, including the termination of a maintenance supervisor for cause and the release of a teacher from a 2025–26 contract with no liquidated damages.

The actions were part of routine consent and action agenda items the board voted on after reports from district staff. Superintendent Samaniego told the board federal grant holds that had threatened programs were resolved and that a budget revision will reflect an updated per‑pupil allocation. The board also approved district athletic hires and volunteers, accepted several donations and waived preschool tuition for students receiving Exceptional Student Services (ESS).

Votes at a glance (selected items) - Termination with cause of Francisco Ruiz, maintenance supervisor — motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mr. Lindeman; roll call recorded votes in favor and the motion was approved. - Release of teacher Isela Durazo from her 2025–26 contract, no liquidated damages, rehirable — motion and second recorded; approved by roll call. - Rescind contract for Brenda Tapia (work‑visa issue) — approved. - Approval of certified hires, classified transfer and classified resignations/retirements — approved. - Approval of athletic hires, athletic volunteers and athletic addenda for Douglas High School and middle school — approved. - Acceptance of four donations (items included Claussen fourth grade donation $338.49 via DonorsChoose; band instrument donation estimated $1,400; Arizona State Prison Complex donation $2,683.26 to Douglas High School; Johnson Historical Museum $103.50 to Stevenson Elementary) — approved. - Approval of payment to teachers and long‑term substitutes for new‑teacher induction training (3 days) — approved. - Approval of 301 performance pay for the 2025–26 school year pursuant to ARS 15‑977 — approved as presented. - Waiver of preschool tuition for ESS students — approved; district legal counsel had advised charging ESS tuition would be complicated. - Appointment of Janice Salchow as the district delegate to the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) delegate assembly on Sept. 6, 2025 — approved. The board also authorized its delegate to represent the board’s position on the ASBA draft 2026 political agenda and asked members to contact the delegate with input.

During roll calls on votes included repeatedly named board members Mr. Smith, Janice Salchow and Mr. Lindeman voting "yes"; other members recorded in the roll calls also voted in favor on the listed items. The transcript shows board member Mr. Ramos was excused earlier in the meeting.

Superintendent Samaniego presented a series of personnel and budget items and asked for motions on the various consent and action items. Human Resources reported current enrollment of 3,611 and an Average Daily Membership (ADM) of 3,384, with 144 new registrations in July and 110 withdrawals. The HR report broke withdrawals down as: 18 students moving to online instruction, 60 moving out of town, 16 to charter schools, 9 homeschooled, and 7 for other reasons.

The board moved into an executive session under ARS 38‑431.03(A)(1) for personnel matters and returned to open session to take the termination and contract‑release votes.

Board members and staff who spoke during the items summarized here included Superintendent Samaniego; HR staff Cox; board members Mr. Smith, Janice Salchow and Mr. Lindeman; and various school staff who introduced athletic hires and volunteers at the meeting.

The board adjourned after announcing the next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 2 and noting Labor Day is Sept. 1.