Sahuarita Unified board approves AOI application, GMP and routine financial items

The Sahuarita Unified School District governing board voted to submit the district's Arizona Online Instruction (AOI) application to the Arizona State Board of Education and approved a set of routine financial and procurement items during its regular meeting.

Superintendent Dr B recommended ratifying payroll and expense vouchers and then introduced the AOI request, which would convert the district's provisional online program to permanent AOI status. Miss Flores, who directs the district's online instruction program and SDPA, described the application as a 25-page package that documents student supports (IEP/504/gifted), K—0 curriculum alignment, high-school CTE and AP options, academic-integrity safeguards and digital communication platforms. "It allows districts like ours to have a school like SDPA and to serve students instructionally online across the entire state," Miss Flores said. Board members pressed on areas for growth, particularly increasing K— enrollment in the virtual model; Miss Flores said staff are actively evaluating K— needs and family demand.

After questions and discussion, the board approved the recommendation to submit the AOI application to the Arizona State Board of Education by voice vote.

In separate actions the board approved several routine but required items. Administration explained a sole-source procurement designation for Cognia, the accrediting body, noting that accreditation services meet procurement sole-source criteria; the board approved that designation. The board also designated authorized signers for Bank of America district accounts as presented.

The board approved a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) No. 2 for Rights & Ridge K-8 that covers six additional classrooms, an additional special-education room and repurposing for band/orchestra space. Administration presented the GMP amount of $2,568,726 and the board carried the motion by voice vote.

Multiple motions throughout the meeting were passed by voice vote; where a recorded roll-call tally was not provided in the record, the minutes show the motions carried on the affirmative voice votes of those present. The board concluded by approving the consent agenda in its entirety and setting the next meeting for Nov. 13 at the district auditorium.

The AOI application will next be submitted to the Arizona State Board of Education for its review and approval; the Rights & Ridge construction work will proceed under the GMP authorized by the board.