Board approves PACE staffing plan but ties it to summer enrollment targets
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Summary
The Casa Grande Union High School District board approved option D for the PACE program — three full‑time teachers and a teaching administrator — but attached an enrollment contingency that will move the district to a reduced option if minimum student thresholds are not met by the summer.
Mr. Lavender, a district staff member, told the governing board the administration recommends option D for PACE next year: three full‑time teachers (a math specialist, an ELA specialist and an additional teacher), continued paraprofessional and security support, and a full‑time teaching administrator. "The cost of this program is $724,000," he said, and added that the program would be self‑sustaining only at 81 students. He reported current enrollment at 69 with seven students graduating, leaving roughly 62 expected returning and a shortfall of about 19 students.
Board member Mr. Wilke, who moved approval with an enrollment contingency, said he has been a strong supporter of PACE since its start and outlined the program's fluctuating enrollment and funding history. "It's gone through some challenges over the last three years," he said, urging a community‑wide recruitment effort and suggested an operational checkpoint this summer. He proposed a contingency that would move the district to option C if enrollment stayed below the board's threshold by the chosen date.
During discussion, members emphasized recruitment and marketing to middle‑school families, suggested additional open houses and use of student and parent testimonials, and raised equity concerns about providing comparable services across large campuses. Mr. Lavender responded to operational questions and clarified staffing protections: "If we don't meet the 70, the teachers that have been contracted would still be with the district. We wouldn't be terminating those contracts; we would find other places for teachers," he said.
The motion to approve option D with the stated contingency was made by Mr. Wilke and seconded; the clerk called the roll. Recorded responses in the transcript show Mr. Wilke, Mrs. Carrington, Mr. Kelly and Mr. Powell voting yes; the chair announced the motion passed. The board asked staff to return on April 13 with a job description for the proposed teaching administrator, and if approved the district planned to advertise the position on April 14.
The decision combines a commitment to expanded staffing and program continuity with a clear enrollment contingency designed to limit ongoing budget exposure if recruitment targets are not met. The board did not adopt a staffing reduction immediately; it adopted the conditional plan and set checkpoints to reassess enrollment and program viability.