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Articles by Stacy Mantle
Arizona educator discipline cases surge as state clears backlog
Education Solutions Posted Friday, October 16, 2026 10:27 am Discipline cases against Arizona educators have risen sharply in recent years, including a more than fourfold increase in cases categorized as assault since 2022. But state education officials caution that the increase does not necessarily mean misconduct is occurring more frequently in Arizona schools.
Litchfield schools seek new framework for 2027-28 budget decisions as enrollment grows
By Stacy Mantle Mail Litchfield Elementary School District is developing a new approach to evaluating programs and allocating resources as officials begin planning for the 2027-28 school year. Chief Financial Officer Michael Vaughn told the governing board Oct. 13 the district is gathering feedback from parents, employees and administrators to identify which educational experiences families value most.
Arizona educator discipline cases surge as state clears backlog
By Stacy Mantle Mail Discipline cases against Arizona educators have risen sharply in recent years, including a more than fourfold increase in cases categorized as assault since 2022. But state education officials caution that the increase does not necessarily mean misconduct is occurring more frequently in Arizona schools.
Litchfield schools detail override, bond spending as November election approaches
By Stacy Mantle Mail Litchfield Elementary School District spent approximately $11.7 million in maintenance and operations override funding during fiscal year 2026, according to a report during its latest public meeting. The funds are intended to support employee compensation as the district prepares for a November election that will determine whether the funding continues.
Inside Litchfield Elementary School District: Meet Principal Kimberly Hill
For Palm Valley Elementary School Principal Kimberly Hill, education is about more than academics. It's about creating a place where every student feels safe, valued and capable of making a difference. Hill has spent 30 years in education, serving as a classroom teacher, English learner coordinator, reading specialist and behavior coach before becoming principal in 2022.
Inside Litchfield Elementary School District: Meet Principal Kimberly Hill
For Palm Valley Elementary School Principal Kimberly Hill, education is about more than academics. It's about creating a place where every student feels safe, valued and capable of making a difference. Hill has spent 30 years in education, serving as a classroom teacher, English learner coordinator, reading specialist and behavior coach before becoming principal in 2022.
Belen Soto eighth-grade math proficiency doubles as teachers refine intervention approach
By Stacy Mantle Mail Eighth-grade math proficiency at Belen Soto Elementary School has more than doubled in four years, climbing from 39% to more than 80% as teachers developed a flexible intervention approach that tailors instruction to individual student needs. Teachers and administrators shared the results with the Litchfield Elementary School District governing board on Oct.
Paradise Valley schools approve teacher travel
By Stacy Mantle Mail Three Paradise Valley Unified School District educators will attend national conferences this fall to strengthen instruction in world languages and science following unanimous governing board approval Oct. 8. The conference is expected to draw about 6,000 educators and offer more than 600 sessions addressing language instruction, assessment, technology and emerging teaching practices.
PVSchools detail spending as two budget overrides return to ballot
By Stacy Mantle Mail The Paradise Valley Unified School District examined its bond and override spending in its most recent public meeting as the the district prepares for a vote on two override packages next month. During the Oct. 8 governing board meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Jill Barragan detailed spending from the district's maintenance and operations override, district additional assistance override and two bond programs.
PVSchools approve annual financial report, outline future budget planning
By Stacy Mantle Mail Paradise Valley Unified School District closed the 2025-26 fiscal year with $253.7 million in maintenance and operations expenditures, about $16.8 million below its authorized spending limit, as administrators continue adjusting budgets to account for declining enrollment and rising costs. The governing board unanimously approved the district's annual financial report Oct.
PVSchools approve annual financial report, outline future budget planning
By Stacy Mantle Mail Paradise Valley Unified School District closed the 2025-26 fiscal year with $253.7 million in maintenance and operations expenditures, about $16.8 million below its authorized spending limit, as administrators continue adjusting budgets to account for declining enrollment and rising costs. The governing board unanimously approved the district's annual financial report Oct.
Arizona charter school board names interim director as Ashley Berg departs
By Stacy Mantle Mail The board unanimously approved Hanna's appointment following an executive session during its Oct. 6 meeting. Under the motion, Hanna will assume the duties and authority of executive director pending a formal appointment.
Arizona charter board stops short of revoking two Espiritu contracts
By Stacy Mantle Mail Instead, the board voted unanimously to enter into consent agreements designed to bring the two Phoenix charter schools —NFL YET College Prep Academy and Reyes Maria Ruiz Leadership Academy — back into compliance. Board staff told members the problems appeared in annual audits for five consecutive years, progressing from a minimal-impact finding in fiscal year 2021 to a serious-impact finding in fiscal year 2025.
New Mesa training center connects students with Arizona aerospace jobs
By Stacy Mantle Mail A new $6.4 million workforce training center at Chandler-Gilbert Community College will give nearly 1,000 students a year hands-on training for aerospace and defense manufacturing jobs, part of Arizona's broader effort to build a workforce for one of the state's largest high-tech industries. The 14,058-square-foot facility was developed with input from aerospace employers including Boeing and Honeywell.
From police detective to principal: Meet Explorer Middle School's Troy Fox
By Stacy Mantle Mail Before Troy Fox became an educator, he carried a badge. Fox, principal of Explorer Middle School, began his career in law enforcement, serving as a patrol officer and detective with the Grand Rapids Police Department in Michigan. It was there he discovered some of his most meaningful work involved young people.
From police detective to principal: Meet Explorer Middle School's Troy Fox
By Stacy Mantle Mail Before Troy Fox became an educator, he carried a badge. Fox, principal of Explorer Middle School, began his career in law enforcement, serving as a patrol officer and detective with the Grand Rapids Police Department in Michigan. It was there he discovered some of his most meaningful work involved young people.
Litchfield Elementary asks voters to continue 15% budget override
By Stacy Mantle Mail Litchfield Elementary School District voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to continue a 15% maintenance and operations budget override expected to generate about $12.7 million for teacher and staff pay, school nurses, student programs and other operating expenses. Prop. 437 would continue an override voters most recently approved in 2022. The district has had voter-approved override funding in place for more than 20 years.
Prop. 438 would continue Agua Fria's 15% budget override
By Stacy Mantle Mail Agua Fria Union High School District voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to continue a property tax override that helps pay for employee salaries, school safety, career and technical education, Advanced Placement courses, fine arts and other district programs. Official election materials estimate a tax rate of $0.4173 per $100 of net assessed valuation and say the rate is expected to remain approximately equal to the current secondary tax rate.
Prop. 318 would expand Arizona’s existing restrictions on girls’ sports
By Stacy Mantle Mail Arizona voters will decide this November whether to expand the state's existing restrictions on participation in girls' sports while adding new requirements for locker rooms, restrooms and other spaces connected with athletics. Proposition 318, known as the Protect Girls’ Sports in Arizona Act, would expand Arizona’s existing restrictions on participation in girls’ sports to additional schools and athletic associations.
Prop. 142 would add restrictions on race, DEI programs to Arizona Constitution
By Stacy Mantle Mail Arizona voters will decide in November whether to expand the state Constitution's existing prohibition on race-based preferential treatment, adding new restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, training and spending in public schools, colleges and universities.
Arizona expands earn-while-you-learn path for special education teachers
By Stacy Mantle Mail Arizona is putting $5 million into an effort to build its special education teacher workforce from within schools, creating paid pathways that allow paraprofessionals and other aspiring educators to work while earning their teaching credentials. The investment comes as the state continues to struggle with qualified special education personnel shortages.
Arizona expands earn-while-you-learn path for special education teachers
By Stacy Mantle Mail Arizona is putting $5 million into an effort to build its special education teacher workforce from within schools, creating paid pathways that allow paraprofessionals and other aspiring educators to work while earning their teaching credentials. The investment comes as the state continues to struggle with qualified special education personnel shortages.
Arizona’s $250,000 wrestling school grant traces back to unidentified lawmaker
By Stacy Mantle Mail An unidentified Arizona legislator with an interest in wrestling requested a $250,000 appropriation for wrestling scholarships at Maricopa County Community College District, despite none of the affiliated colleges sponsoring a wrestling program, according to Lindsey Wilson, chief marketing and communications officer to the Office of the Chancellor. The state originally appropriated $250,000 to MCCCD for wrestling scholarships during fiscal year 2025-26.
Sandy Hook Promise expands Arizona school safety efforts
By Stacy Mantle Mail A school safety program designed to help students recognize warning signs and report concerns is expanding its reach across Arizona. Sandy Hook Promise reported it has now reached more than 281,000 students at 573 schools statewide. Representatives from Sandy Hook Promise outlined the organization's prevention programs and Arizona partnerships Monday during a presentation to the Arizona State Board of Education.
Reading with Rosie gives Glendale Prep students a four-legged reading partner
Rosie doesn’t interrupt when a student stumbles over a word. She doesn’t correct pronunciation or care how quickly someone finishes a page. The 6-year-old Goldendoodle is simply there to listen. Rosie is the newest four-legged presence at Great Hearts Archway Glendale Prep, where students in kindergarten through fifth grade gather twice a week for Reading with Rosie, an extracurricular club built around books, conversation and a certified therapy dog.
Reading with Rosie gives Glendale Prep students a four-legged reading partner
By Stacy Mantle Mail Rosie doesn’t interrupt when a student stumbles over a word. She doesn’t correct pronunciation or care how quickly someone finishes a page. The 6-year-old Goldendoodle is simply there to listen. Rosie is the newest four-legged presence at Great Hearts Archway Glendale Prep, where students in kindergarten through fifth grade gather twice a week for Reading with Rosie, an extracurricular club built around books, conversation and a certified therapy dog.
Litchfield district recovers nearly $34,000 in outstanding facility-use fees
By Stacy Mantle Mail Litchfield Elementary School District has recovered nearly $34,000 in outstanding facility-use fees since August as part of an effort to modernize how the district manages rentals, payments and use of its buildings. Chief Financial Officer Michael Vaughn presented the figure to the Litchfield Elementary governing board Sept. 22 during a report highlighting work completed by the district's business and human resources departments over the summer.
Reading with Rosie gives Archway Glendale students a four-legged reading partner
Rosie doesn’t interrupt when a student stumbles over a word. She doesn’t correct pronunciation or care how quickly someone finishes a page. The 6-year-old Goldendoodle is simply there to listen. Rosie is the newest four-legged presence at Great Hearts Archway Glendale Prep, where students in kindergarten through fifth grade gather twice a week for Reading with Rosie, an extracurricular club built around books, conversation and a certified therapy dog.
Reading with Rosie gives Archway Glendale students a four-legged reading partner
By Stacy Mantle Mail Rosie doesn’t interrupt when a student stumbles over a word. She doesn’t correct pronunciation or care how quickly someone finishes a page. The 6-year-old Goldendoodle is simply there to listen. Rosie is the newest four-legged presence at Great Hearts Archway Glendale Prep, where students in kindergarten through fifth grade gather twice a week for Reading with Rosie, an extracurricular club built around books, conversation and a certified therapy dog.
Litchfield approves 8th-grade California trip
By Stacy Mantle Mail The Litchfield Elementary School District governing board approved the out-of-state, overnight trip Sept. 22 as part of its consent agenda. No items were removed from consent, and the agenda was approved unanimously. Approximately 1,326 eighth-grade students across the district's middle school campuses are eligible for the trip, according to district documents. This will be the fourth year Litchfield students have been offered the experience.
Litchfield Elementary district sees open open enrollment growth
By Stacy Mantle Mail Litchfield Elementary School District has 1,579 students attending through open enrollment this school year, an increase of 53 students from last year, as district officials increasingly use enrollment trends to determine where schools have room for additional students. District Chief Financial Officer Michael Vaughn presented the figures to the distict governing board Sept.
Litchfield school officials review stricter mandatory reporting requirements
By Stacy Mantle Mail Litchfield Elementary School District employees and governing board members who suspect a child is being abused or neglected must report it immediately to authorities — and telling a supervisor or campus school resource officer does not fulfill that responsibility, district officials told the board Sept. 22.
Palm Valley FFA program grows as Litchfield students explore agriculture and leadership
By Stacy Mantle Mail A middle school agriculture program that began with a single class at Palm Valley Elementary last year has doubled in size, with students now looking toward livestock, expanded hands-on learning and potentially bringing Future Farmers of America to another Litchfield Elementary School District campus. Palm Valley students and their high school mentors presented the school's FFA program to the Litchfield Elementary School District governing board during its Sept.
PVSchools spends $33.8M on facilities, replaces 70 failing HVAC units
By Stacy Mantle Mail Paradise Valley Unified School District spent nearly $33.85 million on facilities projects during fiscal year 2026, including replacing 70 failing air-conditioning units as aging schools continue to require upgrades and repairs. Dr. Drew Davis, PVSchools director of bond and construction, presented the district's annual facilities update to the governing board Sept.
Paradise Valley High student earns Congressional Award Gold Medal
By Stacy Mantle Mail Paradise Valley High School student Nikhil Puttamraju was recognized by the Paradise Valley Unified School District governing board Sept. 17 after earning the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor Congress bestows on youth civilians. Puttamraju was honored during the board's awards and recognitions portion of the meeting for achievements in public service, personal development, physical fitness and exploration.
Wishes for Teachers opens applications for $2,500 classroom grants
By Stacy Mantle Mail Arizona teachers can apply for $2,500 classroom grants as the Fiesta Sports Foundation opens applications for its annual Wishes for Teachers program, which will distribute a record $1.75 million during the 2026-27 school year. The program, now in its 11th year, plans to award grants to 500 K-12 public and charter school teachers across Arizona. Applications are open through Sept. 30.
Wishes for Teachers opens applications for $2,500 classroom grants
Arizona teachers can apply for $2,500 classroom grants as the Fiesta Sports Foundation opens applications for its annual Wishes for Teachers program, which will distribute a record $1.75 million during the 2026-27 school year. The program, now in its 11th year, plans to award grants to 500 K-12 public and charter school teachers across Arizona. Applications are open through Sept. 30. Teachers can request funding for resources they believe would improve learning in their classrooms.
Storm damages several PVSchools campuses as district assesses repairs
By Stacy Mantle Mail Several Paradise Valley Unified School District campuses sustained damage during heavy rain Sept. 16, including a significant leak in a music classroom, district officials said during the Sept. 17 governing board meeting. Governing board member Dr. Amanda Lim said the storm arrived around dismissal time at many schools, resulting in difficult student pickups as well as problems at a handful of district campuses.
PVSchools students to grow food in classrooms with new tower gardens
By Stacy Mantle Mail Students at several Paradise Valley Unified School District schools will soon have the opportunity to grow food in their classrooms after the governing board approved a partnership to bring five vertical gardens to the district. The board unanimously approved an agreement Sept. 17 with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance to participate in its Sow It Forward initiative, which provides indoor Tower Gardens to K-12 teachers at Title I schools in the Phoenix area.
PVSchools students to grow food in classrooms with new tower gardens
By Stacy Mantle Mail Students at several Paradise Valley Unified School District schools will soon have the opportunity to grow food in their classrooms after the governing board approved a partnership to bring five vertical gardens to the district. The board unanimously approved an agreement Sept. 17 with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance to participate in its Sow It Forward initiative, which provides indoor Tower Gardens to K-12 teachers at Title I schools in the Phoenix area.
PVSchools projects continued enrollment decline through next decade
By Stacy Mantle Mail Paradise Valley Unified School District expects enrollment to continue declining across elementary, middle and high school grades over much of the next decade, according to projections approved by the district's governing board Thursday. District documents characterize PVSchools as a "non growing district" and project declines across all three grade configurations.
Wishes for Teachers opens applications for $2,500 classroom grants
By Stacy Mantle Mail Arizona teachers can apply for $2,500 classroom grants as the Fiesta Sports Foundation opens applications for its annual Wishes for Teachers program, which will distribute a record $1.75 million during the 2026-27 school year. The program, now in its 11th year, plans to award grants to 500 K-12 public and charter school teachers across Arizona. Applications are open through Sept. 30.
Yee, Ruiz differ on measurements for ESA student performance among debate topics
By Stacy Mantle Mail Arizona’s candidates for superintendent of public instruction both say the state needs stronger financial controls over its Empowerment Scholarship Account program, but they disagree over whether receiving public education dollars should require additional measures of student academic performance.
Arizona’s childcare divide widens as thousands wait for help Original
Education Solutions Posted Wednesday, September 16, 2026 10:00 am Arizona’s childcare assistance waitlist has grown to more than 14,500 children, even after lawmakers invested tens of millions of additional dollars in a system struggling with both affordability and capacity. The issue isn't simply a shortage of affordable childcare, it’s a shortage of childcare spaces.
Arizona districts face potential funding losses under Prop. 320
By Stacy Mantle Mail Arizona voters will decide in November whether certain school districts should be required to direct at least 60% of their operational spending to direct instructional expenses, a proposal supporters say would put more education dollars into classrooms and district officials warn could force difficult tradeoffs among services that support students. Prop.
Arizona’s childcare divide widens as thousands wait for help
By Stacy Mantle Mail Arizona’s childcare assistance waitlist has grown to more than 14,500 children, even after lawmakers invested tens of millions of additional dollars in a system struggling with both affordability and capacity. The issue isn't simply a shortage of affordable childcare, it’s a shortage of childcare spaces. The state has too few licensed slots to meet potential demand, while thousands of families who could use existing care cannot afford it without state assistance. As of Aug.
Arizona districts face potential funding losses under Prop. 320
Education Posted Monday, September 14, 2026 12:48 pm - A “yes” vote on Prop. 320 would establish the 60% direct-instruction requirement for covered districts, require the Auditor General to define the applicable spending categories, establish gradual annual progress requirements for districts below the threshold and impose Classroom Site Fund reductions for noncompliance. - A “no” vote would leave current school district budget laws unchanged.
Litchfield updates child abuse reporting policy ahead of new Arizona law
By Stacy Mantle Mail Litchfield Elementary School District employees and governing board members will face new requirements for reporting child abuse and neglect under an updated district policy approved just days before changes to Arizona law take effect. The changes come four days before provisions of Senate Bill 1127 take effect Sept. 12. Arizona already requires teachers, school employees, governing board members and other designated professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
Litchfield Elementary district see millions in summer upgrades as energy work nears completion
By Stacy Mantle Mail Litchfield Elementary School District completed a slate of summer construction and maintenance projects ranging from new fire alarm systems and remodeled restrooms to classroom additions, while a districtwide energy project is expected to wrap up in early 2027. Dr. Erik Stone, assistant superintendent of operations, and Dan Ensign, director of construction, presented the summer facilities update to the governing board on Sept 8.
Agua Fria turns to students to help freshmen make high school transition
By Stacy Mantle Mail For freshmen entering an Agua Fria Union High School District campus, one of their guides through the unfamiliar hallways, new expectations and social pressures of high school may be someone who went through the same transition only a few years earlier. Agua Fria's Freshman Mentor Program connects incoming ninth graders with juniors and seniors who provide peer support throughout the school year.
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