📢 Governing Board Meeting

🗓 Monday, August 10
🕖 7:00 PM (Special Start Time for This Meeting Only)
📍 District Office Board Room
1st Floor

🔗 Governing Board Webpage (Agenda):
https://cguhsd.community.highbond.com/Portal/

📺 YouTube Livestream (Watch Live):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVNnmRLyTO14TkjuRulen7Q

This Week’s CGUHSD Weekly Update is here!
Stay connected with the latest news, events, and highlights from around our district. Check out what’s happening across Cougar Nation, Spartan Nation, and PACE!
🔗 Read this week’s newsletter: https://cguhsd.edurooms.com/.../weekly-update-newsletter-8-3

📚 P.A.C.E. Open House – You're Invited! 🐍

Join us on Thursday, August 6, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. for an evening of connection, information, and opportunity!

Meet your student's teachers, discuss curriculum, learn more about what a typical day and school year look like at P.A.C.E., and receive an update on your student's progress toward graduation.

🍪 Snacks will be provided!

We look forward to partnering with our families for a successful school year. See you there! 💜

🍎 Good News, CGUHSD Families! 🍎

We're excited to share that all students enrolled in Casa Grande Union High School District are eligible to receive FREE breakfast and lunch every school day during the 2026–2027 school year!

Nutritious meals help students stay focused, energized, and ready to learn. Every enrolled student can enjoy one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day, regardless of household income.

Please note: Additional à la carte items or extra meals may have an additional charge.

If you have questions about the school meal program, please contact the CGUHSD Food Services Department.

PACE High School Student Roundup is Almost Here!

Get ready for the 2026–2027 school year at PACE High School's Student Roundup! This is your chance to receive your student ID, pick up your laptop, and learn about the programs, activities, and opportunities available at PACE.

Please complete your online registration before attending. All new and returning CGUHSD students must complete online registration each year. Students with incomplete registrations may experience longer wait times or be unable to fully participate in Student Roundup activities.

📍 PACE High School
1362 N. Casa Grande Avenue

📅 Student Roundup Schedule:

Tuesday, July 14: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 16: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday, July 17: Student & Family Support Day during office hours, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

We look forward to welcoming our PACE students and families and kicking off a great school year! 🐍💜

🚧 Traffic Alert: McCartney Road Closure
Beginning Friday, July 17 at 9 p.m. through Sunday, July 26 at 9 p.m., McCartney Road between Pinal Avenue and Trekell Road will be closed for roadway paving and intersection improvements.
If you're traveling to summer activities, Student Roundup, or other district events, please:
🚗 Allow extra travel time.
➡️ Follow posted detour routes.
📍 Plan ahead before heading out.
The City of Casa Grande has scheduled this work before the start of the school year to help minimize impacts once classes begin.
Please review the attached detour map before you travel.

📣 The June 29 edition of the Inspiring Excellence Weekly Newsletter is here!

Catch up on the latest news from across Casa Grande Union High School District, including student achievements, upcoming events, registration information, summer programs, and more.

Don't miss out on everything happening throughout our district—read this week's newsletter today!

📖 https://cguhsd.edurooms.com/newsletters/test/newsletters/6-29-inspiring-excellence-newsletter

⏰ Reminder, Class of 2026! ⏰

The deadline to submit your Pinal Promise application is quickly approaching!

📅 Application Deadline: July 1, 2026

Don't miss this opportunity to take the next step toward your future. Make sure your application is completed and submitted before the deadline.

For more information and to apply, visit the Pinal Promise website.

What’s the difference between Online Registration and Round Up? 🤔
In this video, governing board member Kelly Herrington and public relations officer Jennifer Kortsen explain the difference between Online Registration and Round Up and help families understand which process applies to their student.
🎥 Watch the video for a quick, easy explanation and get ready for the upcoming school year!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/692983167243260

📣 We’re making an exciting change to district communication!
To better keep families informed with timely updates and reminders, Casa Grande Union High School District will be transitioning from a monthly newsletter to a WEEKLY newsletter format.
The new format will provide:
✅ More up-to-date information
✅ Shorter, easier-to-read updates
✅ Weekly reminders and important dates
✅ More frequent student and staff highlights
Check out this week's newsletter: https://cguhsd.edurooms.com/.../inspiring-excellence...
We hope this change makes it even easier for families to stay connected with everything happening across our schools.

Need an official transcript? 🎓
CGUHS transcripts can be ordered quickly and securely through Parchment and sent directly to your college.

Need CAC transcripts too? Visit the CAC website and follow the transcript request steps through National Student Clearinghouse. 📄✨

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2026
Governing Board Approves David Owen as Incoming Headmaster of PACE High School
Casa Grande, AZ — The Casa Grande Union High School District Governing Board voted to approve the hiring of David Owen as the incoming headmaster of PACE High School (Pathways Accelerating Career Experiences) for the 2026–2027 school year.
Owen brings more than two decades of experience in education, having served as a teacher, assistant administrator, and principal across multiple Arizona school districts. Most recently, he served as principal of Cottonwood Elementary School in Casa Grande. Throughout his career, Owen has demonstrated a strong commitment to student achievement, innovative instruction, and building meaningful partnerships with families and the community. He is also fluent in Spanish, further strengthening his ability to connect with and support the diverse PACE community.
“Having visited PACE on several occasions, I’ve witnessed first-hand the school’s purpose of ensuring high levels of student achievement through an innovative, student-centered learning environment where instruction and learning are personalized to support students in reaching their full academic and personal potential,” said Owen. “I also look forward to fostering partnerships with families, community, and our surrounding workforce through consistent communication and collaboration.”
PACE High School is entering an exciting new chapter, with a renewed focus on academic achievement and student success. The program will emphasize a smaller, more personalized learning environment designed to meet the individual needs of students. With a focus on specialized support instruction, PACE will provide targeted academic interventions and enrichment opportunities to help every student succeed.
In addition, the school will prioritize the development of durable skills—such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and adaptability—ensuring students are well-prepared for college, careers, and life beyond high school.
Mr. Owen’s leadership experience, student-centered approach, and commitment to excellence make him an excellent choice to lead PACE High School,” said Jeff Lavender, Superintendent of CGUHSD. “We are confident that under his leadership, PACE will develop into a premier program that supports students in achieving their academic and career goals.”
Owen’s background includes service in the U.S. Peace Corps, where he began his teaching career internationally, as well as leadership roles in the Balsz, Casa Grande Elementary, and Tempe Elementary School Districts. His diverse experiences and passion for education position him to lead PACE into this new and improved phase.
PACE High School serves students through an innovative model focused on personalized learning and career readiness, helping students accelerate their path toward graduation and future success.
For more information about PACE High School and the Casa Grande Union High School District, please visit www.cguhsd.org.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS
Casa Grande Union High School District will destroy special education records of former students who are no longer eligible for services and whose records have met applicable retention requirements under Arizona law.
If you are a former student, parent, or legal guardian and would like to obtain copies of records before destruction, please submit a written request to the District Office by June 1st, 2026.
Requests may be submitted to:
Student Services Attn. Lee Brown
Casa Grande Union High School District
1362 N. Casa Grande Ave
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Phone: (520) 316-3360x1110
After the deadline, eligible records may be destroyed in accordance with state records retention requirements.

📣 The April CGUHSD Newsletter is here!
Stay up to date with the latest news, highlights, upcoming events, student achievements, and everything happening across Casa Grande Union High School District. 🌟📚
Check it out now 👉 https://app.smore.com/n/kt42m

Attention Parents & Seniors: Bookstore Fines & Fees Reminder
To help ensure a smooth Senior Checkout Day, parents and seniors are encouraged to check with the Bookstore to see if there are any outstanding bookstore fines or fees.
✔️ Beat the line and avoid delays by taking care of fines and fees ahead of time.
Payments can be made online by visiting:
👉 https://az-casagrande.intouchreceipting.com/
If you have questions or would like to verify a balance, please contact your school’s bookstore:
Casa Grande Union High School Bookstore: [520-836-8500 ext. 3201]
Vista Grande High School Bookstore: [520-876-9400 ext. 4588]
PACE Bookstore: [520-316-3360 ext. 1100]

📣 We Need Your Voice!
Families in the Casa Grande Union High School District — your feedback matters! We invite you to take a few minutes to complete our Family Survey and share your thoughts and experiences. Your input helps us improve our programs, strengthen our schools, and better support every student in our community.
✨ It only takes a few minutes
✨ Your responses are confidential
✨ Your voice makes a difference
Please take a moment today to complete the survey.
👉 Use the Family Survey Link below or the link sent to your email from Possip.
https://www.weeklypossip.com/surveys/wyqrhm?position=1
Thank you for being an important part of our school community! 📚

To join our team, visit https://cguhsd.schoolspring.com/

Dear Parents and Guardians,
Registration for the 2026–2027 school year at Casa Grande Union High School, PACE High School, and Vista Grande High School is now open and must be completed as soon as possible to ensure a smooth start to the upcoming school year.
To support our families, we will be hosting a Parent Support Night for incoming 9th grade students tonight, Wednesday, March 25, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Casa Grande Union High School District Office , 1362 N Casa Grande Ave, Casa Grande, AZ 85122. Staff will be available after hours to assist parents and guardians with completing the online registration process.
Required Documents for New Students:
Child’s birth certificate
Child’s immunization record
Parent/Guardian photo ID
Parent/Guardian current proof of residence
Completing registration early helps us plan staffing, course availability, and student scheduling more accurately. We strongly encourage all families to complete registration as soon as possible so students are fully registered and ready for next year.
We look forward to assisting you tonight!
Sincerely,
Charmaine Martinez
cmartinez@cguhsd.org
520-316-3360 ext. 1141

You are invited to attend a Parent Townhall to discuss the future of PACE High School and share your ideas, questions, and input.

We are committed to transparency and to ensuring that every student continues to have access to a high-quality educational pathway that meets their needs. This meeting will provide an opportunity to hear more about the considerations being reviewed, ask questions, and share your feedback.

Town Hall Details:
Tuesday, February 24
6:00 PM
PACE High School
1362 N. Casa Grande Avenue

We hope you can join us for this important conversation. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our PACE community.