Chandler Unified Board briefed on nonprofits' big help

Yahoo

29-01-2025

Jan. 29—Chandler Unified School District officials say CUSD would not be one of the top districts in Arizona if not for the support of the community. At a Jan. 15 study session, members of the Governing Board were given an update of just how much CUSD relies on three nonprofits that are closely aligned with the district.
In all three cases, members of the community step up to help the district advance.
For example:
—Doctors and dentists volunteer to work at the Chandler Care Center, serving students and their families who cannot afford medical services. More than 300 volunteers attended nearly 1,500 dental and 1,700 medical appointments in a year.
—The Chandler Education Foundation awarded $237,000 in scholarships to students and $48,000 to teachers after raising money from the community. They also raise funds for its Cash for Classrooms Campaign, helping teachers buy needed equipment for their classrooms.
—Chandler School Boosters is a group of Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs) and booster clubs that collectively raise about $4.5 million a year to help support student activities. The group acts as an umbrella for 32 PTOs and 153 booster clubs.
"We're blessed with having nonprofits that actually fall under the Chandler Unified School District umbrella, meaning that all of their work with their individual boards actually supports the work that's done in the district and actually compliments and ... moves us forward," Superintendent Frank Narducci said.
The update came at the first meeting for new board members Claudia Mendoza and Ryan Heap, who were elected in November to four-year terms. Board member Barb Mozdzen was elected to her fifth term on the board.
Patti Serrano and Kurt Rohrs are in the middle of their first terms. Serrano was selected to be the President of the board this year. Mozdzen, the outgoing president, was elected to serve as vice president.
Heap voted against Serrano and Mozdzen. Rohrs joined him in voting against Mozdzen.
In other action from the Jan. 15 meeting, there was a public hearing for the district's pay-for-performance plan. That is mandated by state law.
In 2000, Arizona voters approved Proposition 301 to get more money to teachers. Part of that requirement, was that some money had to be awarded based on performance.
That number has declined as more money has gone to base salaries. This year, CUSD proposed $700 maximum pay for performance to teachers.
To get the full $700, teachers must meet two qualifying conditions. First is meeting the requirements for completion of the Site Learning Experience. That usually requires attending meetings as the Site Learning Experience is being decided.
The other half is based on a teacher's performance classification. Highly effective and effective teachers get 100% of the $350. Developing teachers either receive 75%, or 50%, depending on if they're in their first two years or not.
Ineffective teachers do not qualify for any of that part of the bonus.
The plan was approved in negotiations with teachers. According to state law, at least 70% of teachers must approve of the plan before it can be presented to the Governing Board.
CUSD's plan was approved by 99% of eligible staff.