Arizona / School Districts / Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
Principal Christine Dickinson told the board Butterfield Elementary is a Cognia‑certified STEAM academy focusing on integrating STEAM into tier‑1 instruction; teachers are using Navi common formative assessments to guide reteach and small‑group work, with mixed assessment changes reported across several fourth‑grade standards.
Arizona / School Districts / Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
After community input and a naming committee process, the Maricopa Unified School District board unanimously approved naming its new K–8 school 'Alma Ferrell Innovation Academy,' approved boundary adjustments for 2026–27, and authorized an owner-initiated change order to expand workforce development space at Maricopa High School.
Arizona / School Districts / Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
Following a public hearing, the Maricopa Unified School District governing board unanimously approved a December revision to the FY2026 budget; presenters said enrollment is below projection, one‑time funds offset some losses, and no midyear staffing cuts are necessary.
Arizona / School Districts / Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
The board reviewed proposed attendance boundaries for the districts first K-8 and received an Applied Economics demographic report that projected a wide range of possible opening enrollments, centering near 440.
Arizona / School Districts / Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
Maricopa Unified School District officials presented plans to expand the Maricopa High workforce development project by renovating the historic gym and adding an Ed Professions lab and campus-based preschool.
Arizona / School Districts / Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
The Maricopa Unified School District board adopted the meeting agenda, approved the consent agenda and approved the personnel schedule; the board then voted to convene an executive session to discuss a student disciplinary matter as listed on the agenda.
Arizona / School Districts / Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
Teachers from Desert Sunrise High presented a CTE hospitality-management lesson integrating math and ELA standards; presenter Miss Jen Celina said CFA data showed 91% of students scored 100% on an initial CFA and that figure rose to 95% after reteach, illustrating the programs data-driven instruction.
Arizona / School Districts / Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
A traffic consultant told the board he found major defects in Maricopa school crosswalks and school‑zone markings, alleged some were not ADA‑compliant and asked the board to request a city audit; he provided photos and a report he said is posted online.
Arizona / School Districts / Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
Maricopa Wells Middle School presented ELA strategies and benchmark gains; principal Thad Miller and teacher Trevor Jenkins described collaborative student‑centered instruction, weekly PLTs and a student assessment tracker.
Arizona / School Districts / Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
Parents and family members said special‑needs students are not getting adequate placement, raised concerns about environment, transport costs and staff training; one parent said she removed her children from district schools and is paying for out‑of‑district services and long travel distances.