Dozens of students, teachers and community members urged the Phoenix Union High School District governing board to seek the resignation of an appointed board member after public reporting tied the board member to a political event linked in news accounts to groups with documented ties to white supremacist and neo‑Nazi ideology. Speakers also pressed the district on student discipline, counselor staffing and transparent hiring practices.
Phoenix Union administrators told the governing board that midyear NWEA/RIT interim measures show growth in reading and math across grade levels, with some interim targets exceeded; the district described ACT‑focused boot camps and practice options to build student stamina for timed testing.
The Phoenix Union High School District governing board approved a reduction‑in‑force (RIF) list with names and a separate preliminary list of positions to be eliminated, citing enrollment declines and a need to right‑size counseling ratios and staffing for academy transitions. Board members acknowledged the human impact and asked administration for transparent explanations of the selection and placement process.
Superintendent presented a renewed review of the district's 2025 safe-zone resolution. The board convened an executive session for legal advice and later authorized the board president to prepare a video and social-media communications explaining the district's stance.
The Phoenix Union High School District governing board unanimously approved a package of interim goals aimed at improving English-learner outcomes, including classroom walkthrough monitoring and the Flashlight 360 formative assessment, after leadership presented expected outputs and an example of student progress.
District leaders presented a demographic study and proposed using bond funding and CTE program expansion — including a potential phased technical center on a 50-acre district-owned parcel — to attract students back after a multi-year enrollment decline.
Trustees debated proposed wording changes to public‑comment policies (BEDB/BEDH) — whether to use "community members" or "individuals" — and considered moving public comment timing. They also confirmed delegation thresholds for contract signing ($100,000) and legal settlements ($25,000).
On Jan. 8, 2026 the Phoenix Union High School District governing board approved a Phase 2 budget plan that included issuing seven reduction-in-force notices and adopted several statements of charges and notices of intention to dismiss for certified employees; the board also appointed hearing officers if hearings are requested.
Student performers, teachers and parents told the Phoenix Union board that eliminating the district's VAPA (visual and performing arts) specialist will overburden teachers, reduce student opportunities and damage recruitment; several asked the board to reconsider the RIF that targets arts-support positions.
After hours of public comment urging the district to spare arts, wellness and student-support roles, the Phoenix Union High School District governing board voted to approve a preliminary reduction-in-force (RIF) list of about 167 positions to meet an estimated $20 million budget gap driven by declining enrollment and exhausted one-time federal funds.
