NEWS Point Academy

Governance & Transparency

Board Members

  • Emily Britton, President
  • Danielle Calderon, Treasurer 
  • Nicholas Thomas, Secretary  
  • Dr. Melanie Larson, Ex Officio Director 
  • Leigh Aziz, Member 
  • Samantha Johnson, Member

For questions related to board meetings, agendas, or public records:

Email

Annual Documents & Transparency

To support full transparency, the following documents are made available:

  • Annual Board Meeting Calendar
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Board Member Conflict of Interest Disclosures
  • Bylaws and Governance Policies
  • Annual Financial Reports (AFR)
  • Annual Audit Reports
  • School Budget (as required by statute)

AZBCS Dashboard

Upon signature of the contract, AZ Rush Education Sports Academies will be issued a link to the school’s academic dashboard and the charter holder’s operational and financial dashboard, which must be conspicuously posted on the website. 

Meeting Notices, Agendas, & Minutes

AZ Rush Education Sports Academies’ Governing Board is committed to transparency and accountability. All board meetings are conducted in accordance with the Arizona Open Meeting Law (A.R.S. §38-431 et seq.). Meeting notices, agendas, minutes, and recordings are posted here to ensure the public has full access to the Board’s work.

AZ Rush Education Sports Academies’ Governing Board meetings are held at 5:00 PM via Google Meet, unless otherwise noted on the posted meeting notice. All meetings are open to the public in accordance with the Arizona Open Meeting Law.
In accordance with the Arizona Open Meeting Law:

  • Meeting notices and agendas are posted at least 24 hours prior to each meeting.
  • Notices include the date, time, location, and a detailed agenda of the matters to be discussed or decided.
  • When applicable, Google Meet links or call-in information for public access will be provided.

Public Participation

AZ Rush Education Sports Academies welcomes public engagement and values input from families and community members.

  • Instructions for public comment are included in each meeting agenda.
  • Individuals may submit written comments or attend virtually/in person when permitted.
  • The Board may set reasonable time limits and guidelines for participation per the Open Meeting Law

Executive Sessions

The Board may hold executive sessions when permitted under A.R.S. §38-431.03 (e.g., personnel matters, legal advice, student discipline).

  • Executive sessions are not open to the public.
  • A notice of an executive session will appear on the agenda, but the minutes remain confidential by law.

Physical Posting Location

AZ Rush Education Sports Academies DBA NEWS Point Academy
6321 S Ellsworth Rd, Field House C
Mesa, AZ 85212

Electronic Posting Location

This webpage is the official electronic posting location for all Governing Board notices and agendas for AZ Rush Education Sports Academies.

Minutes & Recordings

In compliance with A.R.S. §38-431.01:

  • Draft minutes of each meeting are posted within three working days.
  • Approved minutes are posted after formal approval at the next board meeting.
  • Minutes include attendance, motions, actions taken, and summaries of discussions as required by law.

Teacher Salary Information

A.R.S. § 15-189.05 requires that the average teacher salary for the current and previous year, the dollar increase in average salary, and the percent increase in average salary for teachers be prominently displayed on the charter school’s home page separate from its budget. 

As a first year school, NEWS Point Academy does not have prior data. Our average teacher salary in the job postings on our Careers Page is $51,000