Bullhead City board backs district improvement plan, approves new coach salary and several staffing additions; contract with outside trainer draws at least one 

The Bullhead City School District Governing Board on April 17 advanced a district improvement package that funds new staffing, instructional coaching and technology as the district moves into the third year of a multi‑year instructional model pilot.

Superintendent (Dr.) Stewart and district staff presented the district Integrated Action Plan (SIAP) and Title I parent‑involvement materials, described curriculum and assessment changes and asked the board to approve related personnel and procurement actions. "We are required, every year to have what they call a Title I meeting," said Jen, a district staff member leading the presentation, describing Title I uses for supplemental classroom materials, family engagement and staffing. The board voted on several motions at the meeting, including formal approvals for an instructional specialist salary column, two paraprofessional positions and a Title I Chromebook purchase.

Why this matters: The actions aim to sustain an instructional strategy the district adopted two years ago and to transfer coaching capacity from outside contractors to district staff. The board approved a revised specialist salary and hours so the district can recruit an experienced coach who will train principals and instructional coaches and help sustain the district’s instructional model locally.

What the board discussed and approved - Integrated Action Plan/Title I and SIAP: Jen summarized how each school built goals in eight rubric areas and how the district’s SIAP synthesizes school plans into district goals for math, English language arts and special education, including targets for homeless and English‑learner students. The district is adding tools and screeners (the presentation identified a move to a vendor referred to as "DNA" with integrated FastBridge screening) to better identify learning gaps and to support progress monitoring. Jen said the new screening and progress‑monitoring tools are aligned with state standards and will be piloted and phased in for benchmarking and classroom use.

- Instructional supports and coaching: The board discussed creating a new model‑of‑instruction (MOI) coach position to oversee instructional coaches and support principals. Board members asked for minimum administrative experience and more hours for the position. The board amended the specialist salary schedule and approved a starting pay tier and hours for the new MOI position to aid recruitment: the board approved a revised starting salary figure (column start moved to $78,750) and increased annual hours to 1,600 for that instructional specialist column so the district can seek candidates with administrative experience.

- Instructional Empowerment (IE) contract and transition: The board debated continuing the current outside partner contract (Instructional Empowerment, referred to as IE) that provides district‑level coaching and professional development. Dr. Stewart described the plan for the year as one that reduces on‑site days from IE while training the district MOI coach to sustain the program locally. "Change does not happen. Change takes 3 to 5 years," Dr. Stewart said, urging continuation through the final training year. The board ultimately voted to continue the IE contract for 2025–26; the record shows at least one board member cast a recorded “no” vote during the roll call.

- Staffing additions and program details: The board approved two paraprofessional hires: one full‑time special education paraprofessional at Desert Valley to support a new life‑skills classroom and one half‑time paraprofessional at Bullhead City Middle School to enable daily PE for middle school students by reworking the daily schedule. The district also confirmed plans to reinvigorate music programming (strings and choral) in partnership with a neighboring high school, and to pilot two new science curricula next year.

- Assessments and technology: District leaders said they plan to replace their current benchmark testing system with a product called "DNA" (benchmarks + FastBridge screening and progress monitoring) that staff say is closely aligned with state essential standards and costs less than the district’s current vendor in later years. The board awarded a Title I Chromebook bid to GovConnection for Acer Chromebooks in the amount of $200,962.75 using unspent Title I funds from a prior fiscal year; those devices will replace units no longer receiving security updates.

Budget and grant strategy: Dr. Stewart and staff described a strategy of "braiding" grant funds and M&O/capital spending so grant‑funded coach positions and instructional programs remain sustainable without supplanting core M&O responsibilities. Staff plan to continue funding instructional coach positions from grants where allowable and to hold M&O funds for positions that must be locally funded.

How the board voted (summary) - Specialist salary schedule (model‑of‑instruction coach column moved to start at $78,750; hours increased to 1,600): approved unanimously during roll call.

- Add 1 special education paraprofessional at Desert Valley (full time): approved unanimously.

- Add 1 half‑time paraprofessional at Bullhead City Middle School (to expand PE coverage so students receive PE daily): approved unanimously.

- Chartwells food service contract amendment: board voted to table the item so staff could correct a student‑count threshold in the contractor’s guarantee language.

- Instructional Empowerment (IE) contract for 2025–26: after extended debate the board approved continuation of the IE contract while reducing on‑site days and training the MOI coach for handover. The roll call recorded at least two board members explicitly as voting "yes" and at least one as voting "no"; the record shows dissent during the roll call and discussion.

- Title I Chromebook purchase: awarded to GovConnection (Acer Chromebooks) for $200,962.75; motion approved.

Quotes and attributions - "We are required, every year to have what they call a Title I meeting," Jen said while presenting the district integrated plan and how Title I funds are allocated for supplementary materials, family engagement and staffing. - Dr. Stewart, summarizing the timeline for instructional change and sustainability, said: "Change does not happen. Change takes 3 to 5 years." The comment framed the board’s decision to fund a final training year with IE while building district capacity.

Ending note: Board members asked staff to return with additional details at the next regular meeting, including corrected Chartwells language and the finalized budget revisions tied to the staffing and program proposals. The district also signaled plans to pilot new assessments, grow its music program, and continue recruitment efforts that include H‑1B sponsorship to fill hard‑to‑staff positions.