Board weighs expanding AVID into Fountain Hills middle school as feeder to high school program

The Fountain Hills board discussed a plan to expand AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) programming into the middle school to create a vertical feeder for the high-school AVID elective. The superintendent said AVID emphasizes writing, inquiry, communication, organization and reading and "has allowed for that nationwide" as a program to support college and career readiness.

He proposed piloting AVID during the existing academic-strategies period at the middle school in year one, with the possibility of creating an elective for eighth graders in year two and then expanding to younger grades. The superintendent said some professional development and summer-institute training is typically required and suggested Title II funding or stipends might cover teacher training costs.

Board members emphasized the need to protect and retain the teachers who receive AVID training—proposing incentives or hard-to-fill stipends—and to ensure professional development investments are sustainable if staff turnover occurs. The superintendent noted district capacity for 'train-the-trainer' models and his own certifications to help lead local training.

The board asked administration to return with scheduling options, cost estimates for professional development, and a rollout plan that addresses retention incentives and alignment with reteach periods so AVID does not displace required supports.