Arizona / School Districts / Higley Unified School District (4248)
After extended debate over relying on carry‑forward savings versus deeper recurring cuts, the Higley Unified School District governing board voted 4–1 to adopt budget Option 2, a middle path of reductions intended to preserve programs while narrowing the structural gap.
Arizona / School Districts / Higley Unified School District (4248)
The board approved a 3% raise for Classroom Site Fund‑eligible staff (motion recorded; transcript does not show a numeric tally), a 4% raise for non‑CSF hourly staff (passed 3–2), and a 3% raise for non‑CSF exempt administrative staff (passed 3–2).
Arizona / School Districts / Higley Unified School District (4248)
Salt River Project requested an 8‑foot distribution easement on the south edge of Cooley school property; the board approved the easement subject to legal review of statutory notice and contract language, and SRP offered a one‑time payment of $26,500 plus closing costs.
Arizona / School Districts / Higley Unified School District (4248)
No articles generated; transcript ineligible.
Arizona / School Districts / Higley Unified School District (4248)
The board approved a memorandum of understanding with GradSolutions to contact withdrawn students for dropout‑recovery services; trustees sought assurances on FERPA and the new state data‑sharing law before approving the 5–0 motion.
Arizona / School Districts / Higley Unified School District (4248)
At a Higley Unified School District work‑study, the board elected Amanda Wade president (3–2) and Sarah Jarman vice president (4–1); members then approved the consent agenda and briefly recessed to change seating.
Arizona / School Districts / Higley Unified School District (4248)
Higley Unified School District administrators presented three maintenance-and-operations options to close an estimated $7.8 million gap driven by enrollment loss and the phase‑out of an override; the board will pick an option at its Jan. 27 meeting.
Arizona / School Districts / Higley Unified School District (4248)
Board members gave first readings to two personnel policies on fingerprinting and staff certification, asking staff to clarify volunteer tiers, waiver authority and required disclosure language tied to state statutes.
Arizona / School Districts / Higley Unified School District (4248)
A teacher of the visually impaired and a parent described classroom accommodations — including Unified English Braille, Nemeth math code instruction and assistive technology — and said adapted materials are produced in about 24–48 hours so students can access the same curriculum as their peers.
Arizona / School Districts / Higley Unified School District (4248)
District staff presented the K–5 ELA adoption process and three recommended K–3 phonics programs plus four K–5 comprehensive cores. The board authorized a 60‑day public review (Dec. 10–Feb. 10) and scheduled vendor presentations ahead of a final, March recommendation.