Board approves 2025'26 superintendent performance goals emphasizing academics, engagement, capital and student well-being

The Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board approved the superintendent's proposed 2025'26 performance goals after a public presentation that outlined five goals, associated metrics and proposed reporting.

Superintendent Gastellum presented goals the district had previously discussed at a June 24 study session and summarized metrics intended to make the goals measurable and reportable. The five goals are: (1) academic performance, (2) family and community engagement, (3) strategic plan implementation and engagement, (4) a five-year capital improvement plan and (5) student well-being and family support.

For Goal 1 (academic performance), Gastellum described a rubric-based metric covering multiple assessments: FastBridge reading for K'2, Arizona state assessments for ELA and mathematics (grades 3'8), state science tests for grades 5, 8 and 11, ACT Aspire at the freshman level and the ACT at 11th grade. Each assessment area is scored on a 0'2 point scale; the overall rubric totals 24 points with a 12-point threshold for meeting the goal. Additional bonus points are available tied to cohort graduation-rate improvement.

Goal 2 (family and community engagement) calls for quarterly parent and community forums districtwide, site-level family events, tracking of attendance and survey feedback, and the use of formative feedback to align engagement topics with strategic priorities. During discussion, Board member Consuelo Hernandez suggested including resources and information addressing federal-level immigration enforcement concerns ("know your rights" information) at early-year parent events; Gastellum said the district would explore that as part of its pivot-to-current-events approach.

Goal 3 requires the district leadership team to develop and publish an implementation roadmap for the newly adopted five-year strategic plan, including marketing and communications so staff, families and students can access and understand annual priorities. Gastellum said the district collected input from more than 9,000 individuals during the strategic-planning process and planned to roll out materials at the administrative summit and opening-day events.

Goal 4 asks the district to create a capital-improvement plan grounded in the facilities condition assessment performed with consultant H2, pursue at least five capital projects eligible for State Facility Board (SFB) funding, and complete at least 70% of immediate-repair projects identified in the assessment while recognizing unpredictable emergent needs (roofs, HVAC, water mains). The target includes measuring principal and department satisfaction with a goal of 80% or higher.

Goal 5 focuses on student well-being and family support through expanded community partnerships, tracking referrals and usage of services, and reporting anecdotal evidence of successful interventions from the K director of student services.

After discussion the board moved and seconded the administrative recommendation and approved the superintendent performance goals by roll-call vote: Bustamante, Hernandez, Jaramillo, Rodriguez and Quintero all voted aye.

Gastellum told the board that once the goals are approved the district will publish the rubric and supporting metrics on the district website and that staff will return to the board with implementation details and progress updates.