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Higley board approves consent agenda, personnel hires and staff travel; recognizes students and staff
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Summary
The governing board unanimously approved the consent agenda, confirmed two administrative appointments, and approved travel to three professional conferences after questions about staff workload and program implementation; the meeting included multiple student and staff recognitions.
The Higley Unified School District governing board approved routine items, confirmed two personnel appointments and approved several staff‑development trips at its April 20 meeting.
President Wade opened the meeting and the board unanimously approved the agenda. During superintendent’s reports the board recognized multiple student and staff accomplishments across the district, including two Higley High National Merit Scholarship finalists and school awards (A+ School of Excellence and Schools to Watch) earned by Cortina Elementary and Cooley Middle School.
The board approved, by vote, the hire of Faith Orr as principal at Cortina Elementary and accepted the appointment of Heather Skinner as director of finance; Skinner was unable to attend the meeting because she was at a Tyler Technology conference.
On action items the board approved overnight or out‑of‑state travel for staff to three professional events: the Safe & Civil Schools conference (two middle‑school administrators), the Schools to Watch recognition and conference (Cooley representation and networking) and a WEB/Link Crew training. Several board members raised concerns about adding professional development to already full teacher workloads and about whether programs under discussion include social‑emotional frameworks; administrators said the conferences support existing on‑campus programs and that participation and any local implementation choices remain at the district’s discretion. All three travel items passed by unanimous 5–0 votes.
The board also approved the consent agenda (items 5.1 through 5.12) by unanimous vote. President Wade closed the meeting by moving the board into executive session to receive legal advice and to instruct attorneys on pending litigation related to Apache Junction et al. v. East Valley Institute of Technology; that motion also passed 5–0.
The board scheduled follow‑up items including a second review of the capital outlay budget in May, a proposed combined M&O and capital budget on June 2, and final adoption scheduled for June 23.
Representatives who spoke at the meeting included Superintendent Lautzenheiser, Principal Cantrell of Cooley Middle School and Armstrong, who introduced Faith Orr; board members who participated in discussion and votes included President Wade, Van Hook and Jarman.
