Fountain Hills board approves 2024–25 instructional time model after public hearing

The Fountain Hills Unified School governing board voted to approve the district—s 2024—25 instructional time model following a public hearing. Superintendent Doctor Jay presented revisions to tables and schedules after public feedback and said the district obtained activity director approval for its trimester schedule and has documentation to secure full funding.

Doctor Jay told the board that elementary and middle school programs exceed the state-required instructional minutes, giving them scheduling flexibility, while high school seniors are the tightest group. He said seniors historically have early-release schedules but must be in school four clock hours daily and take the equivalent of four classes per traditional semester; in the trimester model seniors take three, three and three (nine total), which is one more class than a semester structure and leaves limited slack for assemblies or additional release time.

Board members asked whether the minute requirements are calculated per student; Doctor Jay said the requirement is per student and that the district retains documentation showing the schedule meets the full-funding standard. After a brief question-and-answer period and no public questions during the hearing, the board reconvened the regular meeting and approved the instructional time model by voice vote.

Next steps: Doctor Jay said he will present state test results and letter grades soon to the board and public as part of the district—s ongoing reporting.