Casa Grande Union board elects Stephen Hayes president, approves schedule and routine contracts

The Casa Grande Union High School District governing board elected Stephen Hayes as its board president and approved a slate of routine administrative items during its Jan. 12, 2026 meeting.

Hayes was nominated by a board member and confirmed by roll-call vote. Kelly Harrington was elected president pro tem and Richard Wilkie was chosen as the board’s legislative representative; each nomination was seconded and approved without objection.

The board adopted its regular 2026 meeting schedule, keeping meetings on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., with exceptions to meet March 2 and Oct. 5. Board members said the schedule change was intended to avoid conflicts with spring and fall breaks.

On the consent and action calendars the board approved updated notice-of-appointment and contract template language for the 2026–27 school year (legal review noted), a preschool staff recognition stipend plan tied to a four‑star preschool designation at Vista Grande and an invitation-for-bid process to secure on-call landscaping services from two vendors. Superintendent Lavender explained the landscaping contracts are as-needed arrangements to maintain campus grounds when in-house crews are unavailable.

The board also moved to accept several donations, including small community contributions to athletic and spirit programs. All motions were seconded and the board approved the items presented.

Coach Joe Thomas, introduced by the athletic director and presented as a new hire for a teaching position and the head football coach, was included on the consent agenda and will be processed per the district’s hiring procedures.

The meeting concluded after a scheduled public-comment period in which no speakers signed up and the board adjourned.