Our Views on the Issues
Teacher Retention
Teacher Retention
Teacher Retention
Teachers are among the most valuable assets of any thriving community. When we were young, teachers were respected as professionals and community leaders. The respect around the teaching profession has eroded. When you couple that with the low pay and long hours, districts struggle to attract and retain high-quality teachers.
School Boards must create learning communities where teachers are respected, paid well, and supported.
Academics
Teacher Retention
Teacher Retention
The Vail School District knows high quality academics! In fact, the Vail model, which propelled us to the top of the state, is now being used by schools, districts, and charter systems throughout Arizona.
Between our two families, we have had eight children graduate from VUSD. All eight are enjoying the rewards of their Vail education – either in college or in successful careers.
Education is the foundation for a happy and successful life and is the foundation of the workforce that drives our economy.
The importance of high-quality and rigorous academics cannot be stated enough. We MUST keep our eyes on the goal. Academic readiness and success need to remain the laser-like focus of VUSD.
Curriculum
Teacher Retention
School Safety
Did you know that Vail's curriculum is not determined by the Governing Board? It is created by the State Board of Education (SBE). The SBE develops and adopts state standards that public schools are required to teach.
VUSD stopped buying textbooks for the most part in the early 2000's because they realized that their teachers were better at lesson planning and development than the major textbook companies. This led to the creation of Beyond Textbooks, which is one of the most highly respected instructional frameworks throughout the state.
Vail's curriculum directly correlates with the Arizona State Standards, and instead of purchasing a "boxed curriculum" Vail develops their own rigorous and highly effective lessons based on individual standards.
https://www.beyondtextbooks.org/Parent_Portal/What_is_My_Child_Learning_and_How_Can_I_Help
School Safety
Social Emotional Learning
School Safety
We need to come together as a community to recognize troubling behaviors so that interventions can take place. The district is always reviewing and adjusting their safety policies and taking steps to keep our kids safe.
The district recently conducted a safety evaluation of each school campus and is putting in additional safety measures across the district.
Things like upgraded internal communication systems, door-buzzers, and check-in – check-out procedures have been revised and improved across the school system.
As board members, we will keep the health and safety of our students at the VERY TOP of our priority list.
Gender Issues
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning
We strongly support the US Constitution and our 1st amendment rights. Those rights include the right for students to sponsor clubs on our campuses.
Fundamentally, the Vail School District serves EVERY parent and family in this community, and EVERY student deserves to be treated with love and respect. Every child deserves to feel safe and comfortable on our campuses.
Gender issues can be a controversial topic at times. Because of that, bullying can occur. We have zero tolerance for bullying in any form and by any group. Especially when the well-being of our students is at risk.
We would like to advance conversations on these issues by bringing our smart, reasonable, and caring parents and community members together to find a common solution.
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning has been taught in schools since the earliest development of the education system. We remember them from when we were in school – work hard, be responsible, be kind, have integrity, etc.
The Vail School District teaches CHARACTER EDUCATION. VUSD's Character Education Values are:
ACT Statement
Are Respectful and Trustworthy
Care About Each Other
Take Responsibility
- Empathy
- Respect for Others
- Courage
- Perseverance
- Resilience
- Work Ethic
As these values are the same as we teach our own children and are the "soft skills' employers are looking for in a workforce, we are supportive of Vail's Character Education Program.
Board/Community Relations
Board/Community Relations
Board/Community Relations
For decades the Governing Board has worked in partnership with parents and the local community. Controversial topics and differing views have always existed, but it is the VAIL WAY to do "the hard work of getting along," find common ground, and move toward solutions together.
Over the past two years, things have been hard. MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER. We need to assume the good intentions of others so we can have constructive conversations that move our community and school district forward.
Critical Race Theory
Board/Community Relations
Board/Community Relations
Vail School District strictly adheres to Arizona law and to the state standards in Arizona.
The reason we have been so successful over the years is that we ensure all our students master those standards. Critical Race Theory is not included in any of our state standards. Furthermore, CRT has been prohibited from being taught in Arizona schools.
VUSD Reading List
Board/Community Relations
VUSD Reading List
Many of the books on the Vail School District approved reading list were added over a decade ago.
We believe this is an excellent time to re-review all the books on that list and have discussions with parents, students, teachers, and administrators to approve books.