Public forum at APS meeting centers on family engagement, staff safety and youth opioid prevention

At the start of the board meeting Dec. 17, the public forum drew 12 speakers who addressed a range of topics including family and community engagement, student wellness and staff safety.

Several parents and community members urged the district to create earlier, deeper and more meaningful engagement during major decisions such as rightsizing, boundary changes and school closures. Multiple speakers said community input had been sought too late in prior processes and asked the district to bring families into the earliest phases of planning.

Dr. Veronica Sanchez (CEO, Innovative Executive Quality Solutions) described youth opioid prevention summits as interactive, student-centered approaches to reduce fentanyl exposure, vaping and overdose risk and offered to share materials with the board. Mary Herrera, an APS special education instructional assistant, described a workplace injury (a bite on Oct. 30, 2025), an infection and difficulties obtaining assault leave and timely support; she recommended staff who suffer workplace injuries receive a phone call and clearer navigation assistance.

Public comment included several speakers offering praise and thanks to outgoing board members for their service and urging continued focus on student outcomes and community-centered governance. One commenter making legal and medical claims about pediatric gender clinics and national market projections framed the topic as a child-protection concern; those assertions were not debated by the administration on the record during the meeting.

Board members acknowledged the concerns raised and, during later agenda items, asked administration to provide updates on family engagement work and to brief the board on community engagement on topics raised during public comment.

Speakers were reminded of speaking time limits and several were asked to wrap up when time expired.