Casa Grande Union district recognizes students and staff; superintendent outlines classroom supports and safety steps

The Casa Grande Union High School District honored students and staff and discussed academic and safety priorities at its Feb. 11 board meeting. Administrators recognized students of the month across campuses and presented two employees of the month. Superintendent Lavender also described steps the district is taking on bathroom security, algebra support for ninth graders and a proposed cell-phone policy.

Administrators presented Rotary Students of the Month and CTE/marketing honorees. Dr. Landry introduced Elle Wiles of Casa Grande High School, noting she holds a 4.3 GPA and participates in NHS, Key Club, student council, Cougar Friends, Renaissance Club and is captain of the tennis team. Assistant Principal Kevin Hubbard introduced Jonathan Reyna of Vista Grande High School, who was described as a student-athlete with a 3.8 GPA and future plans that include studying criminal justice.

PACE and CTE recognitions included a PACE student of the month, Braden (last name not specified in the transcript), and several Career and Technical Education honorees: Ileana/Elena Fisher (technical theater), Hope Marie Porter (Vista Grande marketing student) and Amaya Fisher (Union marketing program). The district also named two employees of the month: Genevieve “Gypsy” Davis, a campus security guard at PACE recognized for assisting students and covering additional duties, and Wendy Spencer, cited for leadership of link crew and classroom instruction.

Superintendent Lavender reported several program updates and operational issues. He announced that coach Lauren Dawson has been hired as head football coach and will also fill a certified counseling position; Dawson is a certified school counselor and will begin immediately. Lavender said the district has approximately 400 staff members and about 4,000 students; he noted six students and two staff were recognized that evening.

On student safety and operations, Lavender said the district has experienced bathroom vandalism tied to social-media challenges; approximately six bathrooms remain open at Union (he described that as roughly half of the district requirement discussed with health staff). The district had to hire outside support to inspect and secure facilities and is working to increase supervision. He asked the community to reinforce responsible student behavior.

Lavender described academic support plans for ninth-grade algebra, noting first-semester failure rates exceed 30 percent. He said the district will meet with the elementary district to discuss transition strategies and requested board approval to pay teachers $55 per hour to lead an extra “seventh hour” class and credit-recovery sessions to support students; he reported those staffing-pay plans were on the agenda for approval.

The superintendent also updated the board on the cell-phone committee’s progress, saying the district’s draft approach mirrors a recently enacted California law limiting student phone use in class; the district plans education and responsible-use measures rather than a total ban. He thanked community partners, including Kohler, which hosted a student visit to its Casa Grande manufacturing facility.

A public commenter, Tony Mosley, spoke during public comment to praise district staff and the students honored that night. Mosley identified himself as a youth advocacy worker and told the board the district leadership’s work was “trickling down” to students, calling staff “top notch.”

No binding policy changes relating to cell-phone rules or the algebra strategy were adopted at the meeting; items reported by the superintendent were presented for discussion and administrative action.