Governing board approves technology contract, community partnerships, bond survey and fees; tables telecommuting policy

The J O Combs Unified School District governing board on Tuesday approved a series of routine and policy-related items including a renewal of an education technology consortium agreement with Northern Arizona University, an updated memorandum of understanding with Chicanos Por La Causa for Head Start services, a community survey contract with political consultant High Ground to test a potential capital bond proposal and the district's 2025'26 fee schedule. The board also publicly accepted the 2023'24 annual comprehensive financial report and related audit documents. The board voted to table a proposed telecommuting policy until March so members could review the fuller administrative regulation and exhibit.

The most consequential of the approvals was authorization to hire High Ground to conduct a 400-person phone survey of district voters to test support for a possible bond. Superintendent Dr. Wyman told the board the district's rising assessed valuation gives it room to seek a large bond without immediately raising the tax rate, but he said the survey will be important to measure public appetite before any formal…