Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment Guidance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Graduates tell board Millennium High’s guidance errors cost students scholarships and recognition
Summary
Two speakers during public comment said Millennium High School guidance and administration mistakes cost high-achieving students recognition and a $28,000 scholarship; the board directed the superintendent to follow up.
During the public-comment period at the June 4 Agua Fria Union High School District Governing Board meeting, two speakers detailed what they described as systemic failures in Millennium High School's guidance and administrative processes that they say led to lost scholarship opportunities and lack of recognition for academically high-achieving students.
"I lost out on $28,000," said Millennium graduate Lizzie Zaidema, describing how she was enrolled in the wrong IB math course, excluded from required courses and told she did not need to submit materials for a scholarship she qualified for. Lizzie told the board she completed more than 150 hours of community service and the full IB diploma program, but administrative errors kept her from being considered for awards and scholarships.
Melissa Zaidema, who identified herself as a parent and a member of the Litchfield Elementary School District governing board, described a separate but similar case involving her daughter. Melissa said her daughter was eligible for a national recognition that carried a $28,000 scholarship but was told by a Millennium guidance counselor that no further action was needed; because the family trusted that guidance, required application steps were not completed and the scholarship was lost. "This is not a small mistake," Melissa said, adding the loss has lasting financial and emotional consequences for a single-income family.
Both speakers said they faced slow or condescending responses when they raised concerns at the school level and only received attention after escalating to the district. Melissa asked the governing board to review guidance-department practices, calling the department "unresponsive, inconsistent, and in some cases, actively misleading." Lizzie asked the district to ensure academically driven students are supported and recognized.
The board president reminded the public that comments were made under Arizona Revised Statutes 38-431.01(H), the call-to-public statute. After the speakers finished, the board said it would have Superintendent Easley follow up on the complaints; the meeting record shows the board offered that supervisory follow-up rather than taking immediate action because the items were not on the agenda.
No formal action or vote was taken during public comment. The speakers asked for systemic changes to counseling procedures and better, documented guidance to prevent similar scholarship losses for other students.
