Board Candidate Public Forum - September 29, 2026

The DVUSD Governing Board candidate forum was held September 29, 2026, and sponsored by four district parent-teacher organizations. Candidates Paul Carver, Julie Stockwell, Mr. Alvarado, and Christy Cooper discussed academic gaps—especially reading fundamentals and comprehension—school safety, student behavior, enrollment competition, and priorities for choosing a new superintendent. On finances, candidates emphasized teacher and staff retention, budget transparency, fiscal stewardship, and Arizona’s school-funding challenges. Carver cited district figures indicating nearly 60% of the budget goes to classroom costs and an average teacher salary of about $62,900; Alvarado referenced an annual operating budget exceeding $400 million. Cooper called for review of spending and under-enrolled schools, including possible consolidation or sale of buildings, while other candidates stressed compensation priorities and state-level funding advocacy.

No contracts, vendor selections, bids, purchasing approvals, or formal spending actions were presented, and no votes or motions were taken. The discussion of school consolidation, building sales, and budget oversight consisted of candidate views rather than board decisions; no procurement activity was identified.