On Thursday, May 2, the PXU Governing Board discussed and heard public comment about the recommended closure of Phoenix Educator Preparatory.

This message is to provide notice pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-341(32) that a public meeting will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 6:00pm in the Governing Board located at 4502 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012 in the Lower Level to consider the closure of Phoenix Educator Preparatory School prior to the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

The Governing Board is considering this action for the following reasons:

• Phoenix Educator Prep’s enrollment remains significantly low, and projections do not show a fiscally sustainable model for the school in the upcoming years. 

• Student enrollment is down districtwide, which could lead to budget reductions in the upcoming school years.  

• It is important that we give staff and students as much time as possible to make decisions about their school of choice for the 2024-25 school year should the Governing Board vote to close the school.  

Thank you for your continued trust in the Phoenix Union High School District.

Phoenix Union Ward Five Governing Board Member Jennifer Hernandez Resigns

Phoenix Union’s Ward Five Governing Board Member Jennifer Hernandez resigned effective April 9, 2024. Hernandez joined the Board after being elected in Ward Five in 2022. Ward Five includes Trevor Browne High School, Maryvale High School, and Maryvale Gifted & Talented Academy.

PXU Superintendent Thea Andrade shared, “I appreciate Board Member Hernandez’s commitment to the students in Ward Five and wish her all the best moving forward.”

Within 30 days after notification of a vacancy, the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board may submit up to three names of qualified electors to the Office of the Maricopa County School Superintendent for consideration of an appointment to fill the vacancy. The county school superintendent will consider the recommendations of the Board along with all applicants.

Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Vacancy Application Process

The Governing Board has 30 days from when a Board member resigns to recommend up to three individuals who have completed an application process to the Maricopa County School Superintendent for consideration of appointment to complete the term (Dec. 2024) of the vacated seat. The following process will be used to identify these individuals:

1. The process and application will be available beginning Thursday, April 18 on the district website.

2. The vacancy and application process will be advertised:

1. on district social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.),

   • via email to parents of current students and

   • at the Phoenix Union website

3. The application will require:

   • Confirmation the candidate is qualified to hold the office. All applicants must reside within the Ward Five boundary. Qualifications can be found on the Maricopa County School Superintendent website.

     • Current resume

     • Letter of interest responding to the following:

       1. Why are you interested in serving on the PXU Governing Board?

       2. What are your qualifications to serve on the Board?

       3. What is your vision for public education in our community?

4. Applications should be submitted via email to Email PXU Board Candidates  by 9AM on Friday, April 26. The timestamp on the application email submission will serve as the final determination of application eligibility.

5. The Executive Assistant to the Governing Board will compile the applications and distribute them electronically to Board members by 5 PM on Monday, April 29.

6. The Board members will submit no more than six candidates from the applications to the Executive Assistant to the Governing Board by 9 AM on Thursday, May 2.

7. The top six candidate names will be provided to each Board member, The top applicants will be notified by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 3. In the event more than 6 candidates are selected, the board will accept more candidates.

8. A Special Meeting will take place at 6PM on Wednesday, May 8th, where top applicants will be interviewed, and board members will individually rank their top three candidates. This meeting is open to the public.

9. The names of the final top three candidates will be provided to Board Members and forwarded to the Maricopa County School Superintendent for consideration by 5 p.m. on Friday, May10th.

10. All received applications will be forwarded to the Maricopa County Superintendent for his consideration.