Chris Thomas — Chris Thomas is introduced as the next speaker in favor of the bill. He then identifies himself as being with the Goldwater Institute and references a report, and continues by explaining that his 30+ years of experience as a school attorney in school districts led him to examine superintendent compensation and related contracts.
Mr. Thomas — Addressed by the chair and asked to respond to the argument about broader disclosure.
Peter Ascensio — Peter Ascensio is announced as the next speaker, though the transcript does not include his testimony here.
James Mosser — James Mosser is mentioned as a possible next speaker, but the chair says they do not see him.
Melissa Blazias — Referenced as someone associated with the discussion supporting the bill.
HB2032 — HB 2032 was moved forward with a do pass recommendation. The discussion explained that the bill would move the state testing window from April to the last two weeks of the school year, with supporters arguing it would reduce stress, preserve instructional time, and help teachers and students succeed without added cost. A later comment raised concern about whether the bill would remove duties from the State Board of Education.
Ashley Smith — Principal of Adams Traditional Academy and Jefferson Preparatory High School in Phoenix, Arizona, who testified in support of the bill.
Ashley Smith — Ashley Smith, principal of Adams Traditional Academy and Jefferson Preparatory High School in Phoenix, testifies in support of HB 2033. She explains that computer-based testing can unfairly disadvantage younger students, such as third graders who understand the material but struggle to type quickly, and argues that paper-and-pencil testing removes that barrier and better allows students to demonstrate their true understanding.
HB2032 — HB 2032 was discussed as a bill to move the testing window to the final weeks of the school year so students would have more instructional time before assessment and potentially achieve better learning outcomes. Witnesses expressed support for the bill, including a statement of full support, and the committee then moved to return the bill with a do pass recommendation. The discussion concluded with members noting the need to move the testing window up and casting votes in favor.
HB2032 — The speaker gives sustained support for HB 2032, repeatedly stating full support and urging others to vote for it. They explain that they like the bill because it would move schools to all-paper testing, reference language from a prior year’s bill and concerns raised by test makers, and frame the measure as a fairness issue that could help schools and students and potentially improve testing outcomes.
Mr. Smith — The witness is addressed directly in the question about intervention timing.
Angel Mays — Angel Mays was introduced as the next speaker and then testified in support of HB 2032, drawing on experience as a content area specialist, education consultant, and former school leader.
Paolo B. — Introduced as the next speaker, though the transcript is unclear and may be a mishearing.
Christine Nelson — Christine Nelson, a 30-year veteran elementary teacher, reading specialist, and English language teacher, testified in support of HB 2032. She described her teaching background across multiple districts and said she had examples and research on online versus paper-and-pencil testing. Her main argument was that students are tested too early in the school year—often after only 75 to 80 percent of instruction, and sometimes after disruptions like midyear enrollment and winter break—so the results do not accurately measure true mastery. She concluded that moving testing to the final weeks of the fourth quarter would better align assessment with the instructional calendar and produce more credible, authentic data.
Christine Nelson — Paula Obed speaks on behalf of Christine Nelson, describing her as a veteran teacher with about 30 years of experience. She explains that Nelson has taught English language arts in Cartwright and Tempe elementary schools, spent 28 years in Chandler Unified, taught every grade from pre-K/kindergarten through fifth grade, and has administered state tests since 1991, including AIMS, A-Z Merritt, AASA, and the ZEL test.
HB2032 — Reported out of committee with a do pass recommendation by a 7-5 vote.
HB2033 — HB 2033 is discussed in a single public testimony segment where speakers support the bill. The bill is described as allowing schools to choose paper-and-pencil statewide testing without eliminating digital testing, instead restoring local choice. Supporters argue it empowers local decision-making and helps schools align assessment methods with instructional practices while reflecting broader principles of feasibility and equity.
Angel Maize — Angel Maize is introduced as the next speaker and then testifies on behalf of Spalding, a nonprofit with over 40 years of professional training and evidence-based literacy instruction, in support of pencil-and-paper practice and handwriting instruction.
Paula Obed — Paula Obed is introduced as the next speaker and then immediately provides testimony, greeting the committee and speaking on behalf of Christine Nelson in support of paper testing.
Mrs. Nelson — The student addressed the teacher as Mrs. Nelson in the example.
HB2203 — House Bill 2203 was presented for committee action and described as a cleanup bill directing the Arizona Department of Education to review school and ADE reporting requirements to identify and eliminate or modify duplicative, expired, or obsolete reports. A motion was made to return the bill with a due pass recommendation, the committee voted on the motion, and the bill ultimately received a due pass recommendation.
Jasmine — Jasmine was asked to explain House Bill 2203 to the committee and began presenting the bill’s purpose and provisions, addressing the members’ procedural questions as part of that explanation.
Demetrius Cockle — Listed as signed in against the bill.
Judith Lorde — Listed as signed in against the bill.
Camilla Strong — Camilla Strong was introduced as signed in to speak in favor of the bill, then testified on behalf of ADE in support of the bill. She stated that the reporting requirements should be reviewed holistically.
HB2236 — The committee takes up House Bill 2236 and moves to return it with a due pass recommendation. The bill is then described as appropriating $4.3 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2027 to the Navajo Community College District for capital improvements at the Northeast Arizona Training Center operated by Northern Arizona/Northern Pioneer Community College, along with related reporting requirements.
HB2236 — House Bill 2236 was moved for a due pass recommendation, followed by brief discussion including a vote explanation, and then the committee completed the roll call vote and gave the bill a due pass recommendation.
Mr. Richard Chenick — Identified as the first speaker in support of the bill.
Rich Chanick — Rich Chanick, speaking for Northland Pioneer College, testifies in support of the bill by describing NPC as a small community college serving a 22,000-square-mile rural region in Apache and Navajo counties. He highlights the Northeast Arizona Training Center in Taylor as one of the college’s educational opportunities, notes that many students in these programs are older—often in their late 20s—and emphasizes that these kinds of jobs and training opportunities help keep local residents in the region.
HB2395 — House Bill 2395 was introduced for a due pass recommendation and described as establishing the Arizona School Fitness Program. The discussion clarified that the bill would create a school fitness recognition program within the Arizona Department of Education.
HB2395 — Identified as one of the bills that would help rebalance school schedules and improve achievement.
HB2395 — The committee moved to a roll-call vote on House Bill 2395 and then approved it with a due pass recommendation by a vote of eight ayes, zero noes, two present, and one not voting.
HB2164 — Referenced as a bipartisan bill from last year that was a step in the right direction.
Scott Turner — Scott Turner of Healthy Future US testified in support of thoughtful fitness testing and broader school health reforms. He said he has been engaged in citizen advocacy since 2014, including the school recess bill, and argued that school accountability grades strongly influence scheduling and resource allocation. He cited concerning youth health statistics, including low military qualification rates and significant teen mental health challenges, and said schools have cut back PE, health, nutrition, and physical activity without improving academic achievement. Turner supported A-F reform, the school recess bill, and House Bills 2395, 2840, and 2921 as ways to rebalance school schedules, increase healthier and safer schools, and ultimately improve academic performance through more physical activity.
HB2840 — Referenced as another bill that would help rebalance school schedules.
HB2921 — Referenced as another bill that would help rebalance school schedules.
Jenny and Castine — First opposition speaker is introduced, though the name appears garbled.
Jeannie Castine — Jeannie Castine identifies herself as representing Secular AZ, responds to questions about her name, and clarifies her testimony about religious accommodations in schools. She explains her understanding that parents can contact a school to excuse a child for a religious fast or high holy day, notes she is not a legal expert, and offers to consult the organization’s attorney for further clarification.
HB2266 — Witness closes by urging a no vote on the bill.
Ms. Castine — Respondent in the question-and-answer exchange.
Ms. Castine — The witness is addressed directly about her view that religion should stay out of public schools.
Ashton Allen — Ashton Allen of Senator for Arizona Policy testified in support of House Bill 2266, then remained available for questions and answered a question about release-time programs, explaining that those programs are responsible for transporting students to and from school and that public school buses are not used.
Liz Easton — Liz Easton was introduced as the next speaker and testified in support of House Bill 2266 as a current board member at Lifewise Academy. She argued that the release-time program is lawful, does not interfere with sports or core classes, and typically occurs during lunch, recess, or study hall so students do not miss graded instruction. In response to questions, she explained that the academy works with each district individually, begins instruction once students are on the bus, and that the school itself is not involved in arranging the program or locating the site. She concluded by asking members to uphold the release-time policy in the interest of religious liberty and family diversity.
Ms. Easton — The witness is being questioned about the logistics of the program.
David Rose — David Rose, president of the Lake Havasu Unified School District, testified in strong support of the bill. He said it would allow students one hour per week of off-campus religious instruction at their parents’ chosen location, emphasizing parental choice, family engagement, and respect for individual decision-making. He argued that the measure preserves the separation between public schools and religious organizations while protecting school resources, and added that bringing faith back into family life can improve school climate. He concluded that the bill would require governing boards to allow parents to make the best decisions for their children and not deny access to religious activity.
HB2193 — Motion made to return the bill with a due pass recommendation; bill is then explained as expanding who may receive student directory information when no opt-out exists.
HB2193 — House Bill 2193 was presented as a cleanup bill to fix issues arising from last year’s student directory legislation and to restore appropriate access to family contact information for parent organizations. Speakers urged support for the measure, and the committee then moved to return the bill with a due pass recommendation. The bill ultimately passed out of committee with a due pass recommendation by a vote of ten ayes, one no, and one present.
Kimberly McClure — Kimberly McClure testifies in strong support of HB 2193, explaining concerns about parent organization communication and how a PTA email helped connect her family with another parent and feel more engaged in the school community. She describes her family's experience across multiple Arizona school communities and closes by urging support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of school parent organizations for family engagement.
HB2193 — Supported by the witness as a bill clarifying parent organization access to directory information.
HB2514 — HB 2514 is discussed as the 2025 student directory privacy bill whose opt-in structure created unintended consequences, especially by limiting communication access for parent organizations and PTOs. Speakers note that the bill’s implementation caused problems and clarify that the authors of HB 2514 did not intend to require opt-ins for PTO communications.