Arizona / School Districts / Dysart Unified District (4243)
The board approved four principal appointments — Guadalupe Alejos (El Mirage Elementary), Alicia Ashby (Rancho Gabriela), Callie Cachette (Surprise Elementary) and Ralph Quintana (Thompson Ranch) — following a competitive application process and interviews.
Arizona / School Districts / Dysart Unified District (4243)
The Dysart Governing Board elected Steve Scarvera as board president and Mary Jane Ziola as board clerk. A proposal to move policy monitoring from an annual to a three-year rotation failed after members voiced concerns about reduced oversight.
Arizona / School Districts / Dysart Unified District (4243)
The board approved an amendment to a decade‑old donation agreement with Sunset Tartesso LLC (Elliot Homes) to finalize dates and allow the developer to exercise a repossession right on an undeveloped parcel; staff said the district had no immediate plans to build there.
Arizona / School Districts / Dysart Unified District (4243)
District math leaders described a new K–11 template based on direct instruction, spiral review and fluency practice to address flatlined assessment trends; the board will monitor early unit data and fidelity of implementation next year.
Arizona / School Districts / Dysart Unified District (4243)
District literacy staff reported year‑three implementation at Countryside and plans to expand a modified Spalding pilot to Sunset and Marley Park; staff said Spalding requires extensive training, supplements for phonological awareness and ongoing fidelity checks.
Arizona / School Districts / Dysart Unified District (4243)
Three public commenters raised separate concerns: a parent alleged staff inaction and mocking during a medical emergency at Valley Vista High School; another urged strict compliance with Arizona open‑meetings laws and warned against using intermediaries to coordinate votes; and a community member urged the board to reconsider a vote on a Whitman BNSF rail hub resolution, citing hazardous‑materials risks.
Arizona / School Districts / Dysart Unified District (4243)
Board approved 2026–27 contract language and notices of employment for certificated and classified staff, authorized issuance of employment contracts, and confirmed a slate of administrator appointments including principals and assistant principals across the district.
Arizona / School Districts / Dysart Unified District (4243)
Student leaders reported holiday‑season activities across Dysart — spirit weeks, parades, Purple Star recognition for military‑connected students and upcoming winter dances and formals — highlighting districtwide service and engagement.
Arizona / School Districts / Dysart Unified District (4243)
The board approved a pre‑EPP (Ready to Teach) pilot to provide mentored student‑teaching experiences for candidates, including 15 mentor teachers with $1,000 stipends and student‑teacher pay at the substitute rate; administration said professional development funds will cover the roughly $254,550 program cost.
Arizona / School Districts / Dysart Unified District (4243)
After months of committee work, the athletic‑eligibility review found athletes generally have higher GPAs than nonathletes and the committee recommended no immediate change to the district's D minimum; board members asked for targeted pilot data and broader extracurricular analysis including choir and band.