Chandler school board voices changes sought on metrics

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

There was plenty of feedback for Jennifer Fletcher at an Aug. 20 study session.

Of course, Fletcher, the Chandler Unified School District’s assistant superintendent for pre-K-12 student services, asked the CUSD Governing Board directly for its feedback. That was part of a board study session on a 2025-26 metrics review.

Fletcher told the board the late summer and early part of the fall semester is when staff brings proposed changes to the 12 board metrics, getting more of the type of feedback staff solicited from the board at a May session, seeking more of an open dialogue with the board this year than in the past.

The board and staff are set to hold a planning session to finalize new metrics and then vote on new standards at a September meeting.

Board member Ryan Heap told Fletcher he’d like to see more of a flexible weighted system of metrics, where the board could assign some type of point value to each metric or component of each metric, subject to change each school year.

Board President Patti Serrano and board member Claudia Mendoza agreed that some metrics or elements could have more weight than others.

Vice President Barb Mozdzen said she would like to see some of the elements combined into one metric, such as outside contributions, communication with partners and fiscal and financial benchmarks.

Mozdzen also was one of the board members who mentioned the district’s Journey to Excellence strategic plan and how important they feel it is to align the metrics with that plan.

“With all the significant changes we’ve made recently to that strategic plan, it would really help to hold it next to the metrics, and make sure everything still lines up,” Mozdzen said.

Board member Kurt Rohrs said he’d like to see more budget, capital plan and other financial measurements, as well as a more visual, easy-to-read presentation of the rubrics.

Rohrs praised the district’s 93% graduation rate, but pointed out the district should nearly always be trying to improve on every metric.

Rohrs has stated in past meetings and study sessions he’d like to see the district aim higher, especially on state-established proficiency assessment scores.

Fletcher said if the board wants to change some student proficiency goals, staff can draw up what that would or could look like.

“I don’t know if the board wants to explore setting ‘stretch goals’ on some of these, or if we want to stay with something more simplified,” Fletcher said. “Mathematically, we can make it happen. We don’t want math to hold us up, per se. We’re numbers people. But, philosophically, is that something the board would be interested in?”

Serrano said she’d like more teacher feedback on that point in order to achieve a balance between “shoot for the stars” goals and ones that are realistic and achievable within a given time frame.

Mozdzen pointed out that the simpler the district can show the public its goals and achievement, the more transparent things will appear. Fletcher agreed.

“I think we’ll be doing that if we stick with a 1-through-4 scale, with 4 as ‘at proficiency’ and 5 as a ‘stretch goal,’” Fletcher said.

Mendoza said she’s looking forward to the “boots on the ground” element that goes beyond the rubrics, in terms of how administration and site leaders roll out new metrics to teachers, and how to meet them. Fletcher said those elements will be covered in the planning meeting.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.   Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.