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Paradise Valley board approves hires, handbook revisions, SLU MOU and policy priorities; appoints ASBA delegate
Summary
At its June 5 meeting the Paradise Valley Unified School District board approved four administrative hires, revised the family-student handbook, accepted a one-year SLU MOU, reaffirmed and proposed ASBA priorities, appointed an ASBA delegate and accepted donations.
The Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board on June 5 took several routine personnel and governance actions, approving administrative hires, textbook/handbook revisions, a one-year Memorandum of Understanding for an astronomy education tool and a slate of policy priorities for submission to the Arizona School Boards Association.
Personnel: The board approved three administrative hires presented by Dr. Holmes: Lisonbee Rai as director of fine arts, Jorge Ontiveros as principal of North Canyon High School, and Jeremy Richards as principal of Pinnacle High School. Each appointment was approved by unanimous voice vote of members present. The motions were moved by Missus Christiansen and carried without recorded opposition.
Family Student Handbook: After a second reading and review by legal counsel and staff, the board approved revisions to the 2025'26 family-student handbook. Revisions included clarified language on regular attendance, updated language aligning e-bike/scooter age with Phoenix code (age 16), added guidance about addressing bullying only when students feel safe, and clarified expectations and possible consequences for community members who do not follow district policies. The board approved the handbook changes unanimously.
SLU Memorandum of Understanding: The board approved Resolution No. 575, a one-year MOU with SLU, a virtual observatory provider that will supply classroom licenses, professional development and program data at no cost through a competitive grant. Board members confirmed the program is a one-year award and that continued use after the grant year would require district payment.
ASBA Priorities and Delegate Appointment: The board reaffirmed five priorities for the Arizona School Boards Association 2026 political agenda and discussed, but ultimately kept unchanged, proposed additional priorities concerning the aggregate expenditure limit. The board designated Tony Pantera as the district's official ASBA delegate and Sandra Christiansen as the alternate for the ASBA delegate assembly on Sept. 6, 2025; the appointments were approved unanimously.
Gifts and Donations: The board accepted multiple gifts and donations reported at the meeting, including $5,000 to Desert Shadows Elementary, $10,000 from Project Lead The Way to Crest, and other campus-specific donations for robotics, testing support and site discretionary funds. Acceptance of gifts was unanimous.
Votes at a glance - Hire: Lisonbee Rai, director of fine arts — approved unanimously (mover: Missus Christiansen) - Hire: Jorge Ontiveros, principal of North Canyon High School — approved unanimously (mover: Missus Christiansen) - Hire: Jeremy Richards, principal of Pinnacle High School — approved unanimously (mover: Missus Christiansen) - Proposed FY25-26 budget (for public hearing) — approved unanimously (mover: Missus Christiansen) - Family Student Handbook revisions — approved unanimously (mover: Missus Christiansen) - Resolution 575 (MOU with SLU) — approved unanimously (mover: Missus Christiansen) - ASBA political agenda priorities submission — approved unanimously - ASBA delegate appointment: Tony Pantera (delegate), Sandra Christiansen (alternate) — approved unanimously - Gifts and donations acceptance — approved unanimously - Sole-source contracts for FY25-26 — approved 3-1 (see separate article for debate)
No public comments were received prior to the meeting, and the board adjourned after completing the agenda. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for June 19, 2025, at 5 p.m.
