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Public commenters press district on mandated-reporting, school safety and curriculum; board officials reply
Summary
Public commenters at the Chandler Unified Governing Board meeting on April 23 urged the district to strengthen mandated-reporting practices, train staff on grooming and abuse indicators, and keep families informed about new Arizona statutes; the superintendent responded by clarifying that the district had no evidence for an allegation cited by a commenter.
Five members of the public addressed the governing board during the open-comment period on April 23, raising safety and curriculum issues and urging district action.
Noah James Markham asked the board to maintain inclusive practices for students with disabilities and LGBTQ students, referencing "DEI" principles and requesting continued district investment in supports.
A commenter identified in the record as Bridget Vega urged immediate district action on mandated reporting and alleged failures in prior handling of abuse concerns; she cited recently enacted Arizona laws by shorthand (named in comment as "Ava’s law" and other bills) and asked the board to notify staff and families about legal changes. The speaker called for mandatory training on grooming and for external law enforcement involvement rather than internal investigation when abuse is suspected.
Another speaker, Natalie Woods, said she reviewed proposed curriculum materials and supported adoption, praising lessons that emphasize critical thinking, data and media literacy and writing skills. Lisa Calderon and Katie Nash offered public thank-yous to district staff and expressed support for board members and local schools.
Superintendent Narducci and Board President Patty Serrano responded during and after public comment. Narducci took time on the record to clarify one allegation made during public comment: he said the district had no evidence of a reported sexual assault in the referred case and asked the public not to present unverified claims as fact. The superintendent also confirmed that the district’s internship documentation and parental consent forms have been reviewed by the district attorney for safety and compliance (this was discussed in the workforce development presentation earlier in the meeting).
Board members did not take action on the topics raised during the public comment period but the concerns about mandated reporting and grooming training were discussed by commenters as items they believe warrant further district review.
