Apache Junction school board votes unanimously to enter executive session on superintendent contract

The Apache Junction Unified School District governing board voted unanimously June 3 to convene an executive session to discuss the superintendent’s performance-based goals, performance-based pay and a possible extension of the superintendent’s contract.

The board adopted the meeting agenda at the start of the special meeting and then, under action item 2.1, moved to enter executive session "pursuant to ARS 38-431.03(A)(1)." A board member made the motion to convene the executive session; Mrs. Ross seconded. The board recorded five "yes" votes — Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Williamson, Mrs. Garcia, Mrs. Lean and the chair — and the motion carried 5 to 0.

The executive-session motion cited Arizona Revised Statutes 38-431.03(A)(1), the public-meetings provision that authorizes closed sessions for certain personnel matters. The motion’s stated scope included the superintendent’s performance goals, performance-based pay and the potential extension of the superintendent’s employment contract; no public vote on a contract extension was recorded in the public portion of the meeting.

After returning to public session the board moved to item 3.1, solicited requests for future agenda items (members of the public were asked to submit requests by email) and then approved a motion to adjourn by the same 5-0 margin. The meeting minutes in the transcript do not record any final decision about the superintendent’s contract or pay; the board’s public actions at this meeting were limited to adopting the agenda, authorizing the executive session and adjourning.

The district did not state a timeline for any public action on the superintendent’s contract during the open portion of the meeting.