Starting School with a Three-Pronged Plan

New Superintendent Cindy Daniels says the district conducted a strategic planning meeting in May to chart the way forward and face challenges that include a shrinking budget and declining enrollment.

Daniels, who has worked in the district for 16 years, most recently as assistant superintendent, says working together means the schools address problems in the same way. For example, if they are dealing with chronic absenteeism, each school in the district would agree to send letters to parents after a child misses three days.

Being prepared includes establishing goals for student achievement at each grade level. For example, she says eighth graders will be ready for high school and high school seniors will be ready for the workforce or college upon graduation.

Being prepared also means cutting spending in some areas to meet more dire needs and sharing resources. “We emphasize doing what’s best for the kids,” she said, adding that during her time in Chino Valley, teachers have never gone without a raise.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, which train students in various careers, is part of the preparedness plan. Eighty percent of students at Chino Valley High School complete CTE courses, and many complete two or three courses. Students must pass Arizona Department of Education exams in their CTE areas in order to earn the certifications they need.

Welding, cybersecurity, culinary arts, nursing and pre-engineering are some of the subjects offered through CTE. Classes are taught at Chino Valley High School and at the Mountain Institute Career and Technical Education District in Prescott, where CVHS is one of seven participating schools. CVHS purchases the materials and provides transportation for the CTE students.

Safety to Daniels not only means personal safety, but also that students are in a safe environment. Chino Valley Unified School District has 400 students who are considered homeless. That’s 14% of the student population, or one to two kids in every classroom.

“That’s a huge impediment to learning,” she said.

The district has counselors on site and will make referrals in more serious situations. The Chino Valley Education Foundation gives out backpacks and outfits students in need for the first day of school. The district offers free breakfasts and lunches for students as well.

As for physical safety, the district conducts safety drills, monitors cameras on campuses and enlists armed school resource officers. In addition, the district works with Yavapai County Emergency Services, Chino Valley Police Department and Arizona Department of Public Safety for emergency preparedness.

For the new school year, the district has hired 17 teachers. Daniels is proud that the school district has retained 84% of its teachers and all of them are certified in the area in which they are teaching.

“We’re the only district in the area that has done that,” she said.

The school district is the largest employer in Chino Valley, with 328 employees. About 200 are support staff such as bus drivers, classroom aides, nurses, secretaries, facilities workers and business managers.

“They are the heart and soul of our school district. They are my heroes. Teachers get deserved recognition, but they cannot do it without the support staff,” she said.

Daniels says the community, parents and district staff are all excited about the coming school year. “Everybody is saying, ‘This is going to be fun.’ There is a strong sense of direction and I’m excited about the direction.” QCBN

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

Photo by Stan Bindell: Chino Valley Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Daniels, shown here with Facilities Director Chris Sheriff, is looking forward to the school year in a safe environment that prepares students for promising futures.