Florence Unified spotlights Copper Basin K‑8, honors students and transportation staff

At a Florence Unified School District governing‑board meeting, Principal Byron Hastings presented highlights from Copper Basin K‑8 and trustees recognized dozens of students and members of the district transportation team for recent accomplishments.

Hastings described instructional and social‑emotional programs being used schoolwide, saying, "At Copper Basin, our mission is to challenge ourselves to learn at high levels and be our best academically, socially, and emotionally." He told the board the school has implemented the Caring School Community social‑emotional learning (SEL) curriculum and the PAX Good Behavior Game to help students regulate emotions and behavior.

Hastings also said Copper Basin had introduced ReadWorks alongside the district's core instructional materials. "ReadWorks is a resource based on the science of reading that provides students with access to rich, diverse texts used to build background knowledge and support reading fluency through daily practice," he said. He told the board those resources are helping to build confidence and curiosity among young readers.

Board members praised the school's focus on leadership and inclusion. Board member Quist linked the school's practices to a leadership framework discussed at a recent Arizona School Boards Association workshop, saying that inclusion and shared decision‑making help create "communities of respect." Board member Jones said Florence Unified's board was asked to present at the association's next conference about the district's book studies and leadership work.

The meeting also included student recognitions. Officials called dozens of students from district schools (Copper Basin K‑8, Florence K‑8, Florence High School, Poston Butte High School, Santan Foothills High School, Mountain Vista Academy and others) to the dais for certificates and photographs.

Trustees and staff also recognized the district's transportation team after the Arizona Association for Pupil Transportation school bus rodeo. Board member Knutson said five Florence drivers competed at the state event and all five placed in the top 12 of 61 competitors. He announced that driver Leonard Makeda finished first in the state and will be sponsored to represent Arizona at the national school bus rodeo in Texas in July.

Board member Carr told the board there are five district sites entering construction to install solar equipment, a phase that he said followed county permit approvals.

The board scheduled its next regular meeting for May 13 at 32375 North Gansville Road.