Laveen Elementary School District #59 Packet Summary — August 13, 2026
Meeting Overview
The Laveen Elementary School District Governing Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Laveen Education Center, 5001 W. Dobbins Road, Laveen, Arizona.
The agenda includes opening items, approval of prior meeting minutes, informational presentations, a consent agenda, board consideration and/or action items, public comments, and future meeting information.
Key Items on the Agenda
Superintendent and District Presentations
The board agenda includes a Superintendent’s Report and presentations on several district initiatives, including:
- Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy Signature Program, presented by Principal Jessica Epacs.
- 2026-27 Aspirations to Action Steps, presented by Superintendent Dr. Jeff Sprout and Council.
- 2025-26 Title I and PBIS Parent Survey results, presented by Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services Sarah Zembruski.
- Safety and Security, presented by Chief Communications Officer Dr. Robert Caplinger and Safety and Communications Coordinator Mike Gawel.
Title I and PBIS Parent Survey Review
The packet includes a presentation summarizing the FY26 Title I and PBIS Parent Survey. The survey was designed to gather feedback about educational activities, curriculum, homework, and PBIS, with participants able to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.
The survey received 386 completed responses during the April 27–May 8, 2026 data collection period. The presentation notes that responses included participation from families of specialized programs, including Special Education, Gifted Education, and English Language Learner programs.
The packet highlights areas of parent feedback, including:
- Positive feedback regarding academic environment, instruction, technology availability, and communication between families and staff.
- Continued interest in more consistent personalized updates, expanded tutoring support in math and reading, home learning guides, and additional support for diverse needs.
The presentation also reviews PBIS implementation, noting that families were generally familiar with school expectations and that feedback included requests for more consistency, additional education about PBIS, and different approaches to incentives.
Major Financial Items
Expense and Payroll Vouchers
The consent agenda includes FY26-27 expense vouchers and payroll vouchers.
The expense voucher documents include multiple district funds and expenditures. One voucher summary lists total expenses of $4,604,070.72, including amounts from funds such as Capital Outlay, Adjacent Ways, Bond 2023 (2015 Auth), Bond 2025 (2024 Auth), Building Renewal Grant, and New School Facilities.
Payroll voucher documents include payroll-related totals by fund. One payroll voucher lists total amounts of $1,073,519.90 for gross pay, FICA, retirement, and benefits combined across listed funds.
Meal Prices for 2026-27 School Year
The agenda includes consideration of meal prices for the 2026-27 school year. The packet states that student meals remain free because the district participates in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program Community Eligibility Provision meal service option.
The administration recommends adult and guest meal prices of:
- Breakfast: $3.50
- Lunch: $5.50
The packet notes that the lunch price increase is based on updated federal meal reimbursement rates.
Safety and Community Impact
School Resource Officer Agreement
The agenda includes an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Phoenix for School Resource Officers. The packet states that the district was awarded the School Safety Program grant for an SRO at six schools:
- Maurice C. Cash Elementary
- Rogers Ranch
- Trailside Point
- Laveen Leadership Academy
- Paseo Pointe
- Desert Meadows
The agreement covers one school year and terminates on May 21, 2027.
The agreement provides for six police officers assigned to the district’s School Safety Program. The listed cost is $1,114,992 total, or $185,832 for each of the six assigned officers.
School Safety Officer Hourly Rate
The agenda includes the annual approval of the hourly rate for School Safety Officers who are paid directly by the district for limited hours outside the school day, such as after-school events. The packet lists the FY2027 rate as $75 per hour, unchanged from FY2026.
Facilities and Growth Planning
SFOB Capital Plan Submittal
The board is scheduled to consider the 2026 Capital Plan and authorization for Charlie Martin, Chief Financial Officer, to transmit the documents on behalf of the district.
The capital plan includes updated enrollment projections, descriptions of needed school facilities, project timelines, and future land needs.
The packet’s capital plan states that the Laveen area is projected to grow over the next ten years due to additional housing development. The district projects enrollment reaching 10,057 students by 2034-35, an increase of 2,246 students (29%) over a ten-year period.
The capital plan identifies a new K-8 construction project request, PRN-00009, with a projected opening of August 2031, for a 1,155-student school. The identified parcel is 300-02-926 located at 63rd Avenue and South Mountain Avenue.
Salt River Project Easement
The consent agenda includes an easement for Salt River Project at the Laveen Education Center. The packet states that the Power Distribution Easement would allow Salt River Project access to construct, install, maintain, and operate electrical facilities on the property.
Policy and Governance Items
Policy Revisions
The board is scheduled to conduct a first reading of proposed policy revisions related to the 2026-2027 Model Policy Program Update. The board may choose to waive the second reading and approve the proposed policies.
The proposed revisions include updates related to:
- Governing Board organization and officer roles.
- Conflict of interest requirements for board members and employees.
- Revenue and student activity fund procedures.
- Expenses, payroll, food and beverage expenses, audits, procurement, and employee leave policies.
The packet notes that procurement revisions include updated language related to USFR FY 2027 requirements, including changes involving written quote thresholds, multi-year contracts, gifts, purchases involving board members or employees, and contract administration.
Educational Opportunities
Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy Field Trip
The consent agenda includes a field trip request for Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy eighth-grade students to travel to Washington, D.C., in May 2027. The packet states that the trip would allow students to tour national monuments and museums as a culminating activity connected to eighth-grade History and Social Science Standards.
What to Watch at the Meeting
The board is expected to review several items affecting district operations, including:
- Capital planning and future school facility needs.
- School safety programming and the School Resource Officer agreement.
- Proposed policy updates tied to governance, finance, procurement, and employee procedures.
- Presentations on district goals, academic programs, family feedback, and safety initiatives.
The next regular Governing Board meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Laveen Education Center, unless otherwise posted.
