Director details Sunrise House services, requests grant support and staffing in three-year plan

Agie Hart, director of family and community engagement for Baboquivari Unified School District #40, told the board that her department will focus its three-year plan on strengthening existing programs, improving processes and expanding community partnerships to better support students and families.

Hart said the Sunrise House family resource center provided an estimated $333,000 in in-kind and direct supports last school year, citing contributions such as 500 pairs of shoes and large food distributions. She told the board the department secured a $65,000 grant through the Desert Diamond Casino golf tournament and has applied for a separate grant of about $115,000 to build a larger laundry room and add four dryers and a sink to support hygiene needs.

"We served over 2,760 families this year, including 4,175 children and 5,293 adults," Hart said, listing program outputs including more than 10,720 clothing items distributed and 25,000 pounds of food provided. She reported the Sunrise House identified 305 McKinney‑Vento students last year and that an attendance‑tracking sheet developed by her office was adopted districtwide.

Hart outlined a three-part approach — refine, improve and elevate — that emphasizes evaluating systems, using data and building capacity among parent liaisons and McKinney‑Vento staff. She described the Sunrise House as a "living" program, noting recent community activities and partnerships that deliver continuing assistance to families across the district.

Board members praised the program and asked clarifying questions about outreach and staffing. One member recommended adding a part‑time secretary or data clerk to help Hart collect and maintain reporting metrics so program staff can focus on community engagement and services.

Hart also described plans for a return to more robust family events and speaker series and said she is pursuing additional partnerships for summer programming. She asked the board to continue supporting the use of district resources and outside grants to sustain the Sunrise House and recommended recognition and staff appreciation events to retain long‑tenured employees.

The board did not take a formal vote on funding during the retreat; Hart's requests were entered into the retreat discussion for follow‑up in future meetings.