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A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Let me introduce myself. My name is James D. Murlless. I was offered the position of Interim School Superintendent in early September. I come with 28 years of superintendent experience. I am thrilled to be here.

It is my intent and purpose to provide the best education possible for the children of Chino Valley. It is my mission to have Chino Valley so very proud of their schools.

My vision to reach that mission is to focus on student achievement and school improvement. Raising graduation rates and lowering the dropout rates are primary to this vision.

It is an exciting time for Chino Valley Schools. I am confident we can move forward and I am pleased to be part of it.

James D. Murlless Ed. D.

Interim Superintendent

Mission

The mission of Chino Valley Unified School District #51 is to respond innovatively to the learning needs of students, families, staff and community.

Vision

As a school district we will focus on the District's vision of Innovate, Connect and Educate (ICE). As a result of that focus, we will graduate students who have the knowledge; skills and personal characteristics that will enable them to become productive United States citizens and conscientious members of our global community.

Beliefs

STUDENTS ~ Each student is unique and we will educate every student in cooperation with parents so as to insure each student is academically and socially prepared to be a productive citizen in our society.

TEACHERS ~ Teachers with high expectations are the foundation of a strong educational system. As a component of high expectations, teachers will serve as a positive role model and will actively seek parental support.

PRINCIPALS ~ As the instructional leader the principal creates a positive learning environment and maintains high expectations for students and staff members.

SUPERINTENDENT ~ Is the leader, implementer, and facilitator of a successful school district and will promote a positive educational climate for students, teachers and staff.

GOVERNING BOARD ~ The Board shares the values of the community by establishing policies that make student achievement the number-one priority.

History

Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) faces many educational and economic challenges as well as opportunities in 2011-2012. Due to the global recession, school districts including CVUSD have had to deal with massive budget cuts and have had to figure out ways to do more with less. CVUSD performs its mission each and every day and continues to accommodate the needs of students with less funding.

CVUSD is experiencing an unprecedented decline in enrollment; approaching 6.8% this last school year. Over the last four years the decline in student populatoin has approached over 400 students and a decline in staff of 92 employees.

With the perfect storm of reduced funding and declining enrollment, CVUSD is faced with the need to find other methods of funding and increased enrollment so we will continue to be able to provide the best education possible to each and every student.

The primary need of the District as reflected in the Strategic Plan will be to develop a marketing plan that not only attracts charter school students but provides resources to home schooled students.

Demographics

Chino Valley is the site of the first Territorial Capital of Arizona. U.S. Army Cavalry Lt. Amiel W. Whipple gave the community its name while traveling through the area. "Chino" is the Mexican name for the abundant, curly, grama grass growing in the area. Chino Valley was founded in 1871 and incorporated in 1970. It is located 15 miles north of Prescott, Arizona on State Route 89.

The school district was founded in 1923 and was named The Farms School District and in 1946 the name was changed to the Chino Valley School District.

As of the census of 2000, there were 7835 people, 3030 households, and 2172 families residing in the town. The population density was 421.6 people per square mile. There were 3256 housing units at an average density of 175.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 94.07% White, 0.23% African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 2.59% from other races, and 1.94% from two or more races. 9.78% of the population was Hispanic.

There were 3030 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female head of household with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,512 and about 12.6% of families were below the poverty line including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or older.

Crime statistics are far below the county and state average. Property crimes as a percent of the population are 1.87% compared to the Yavapai County average of 2.95% and the state average of 3.63%. Violent crimes are .15% in Chino Valley compared to .46% for Yavapai County and .5% for the State of Arizona.

Chino Valley has a higher rate of high school graduates for those who are 25 years or older but a lower rate of residents with a post secondary degree as compared to the State of Arizona. 35.9% of residents have a high school diploma compated to the state average of 24.3%. At the Associates Degree level, 5.6% of residents compared to the state at 6.7%.

The State average for Bachelor's Degree is nearly double that of Chino Valley residents, 15.2% to 8.8% comparatively. Residents with a Graduate or Professional Degree are 5.5% for Chino Valley residents and 8.4% for the state.

The leading industries in Chino Valley, Arizona are education, health and social services at 20%; Retail trade, 14%; and Construction, 14%.

The unemployment rate in Chino is 9.5%, which is above the national average of 9.2%. Recent job growth is negative. Chino Valley jobs have decreased by 2.31% over the last year.

Chino Valley Unified School District encompasses the surrounding area of Chino Valley and the town of Paulden.

The unincorporated community of Paulden, Arizona has a population of 3420 based on the 2000 census. The racial makeup of Paulden was 91.99% White, 0.53% African American, 2.37% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 2.87% from other races, and 1.93% from two or more races. 15.64% of the population was Hispanic.

Other demographic information is comparable to that of Chino Valley, Arizona.

School Enrollment

Within the boundaries of Chino Valley Unified School District, there are two charter schools. Mingus Springs is a K-8 charter school with an enrollment of 156 students, which is down 5.52% over last year's numbers.

Paulden Community School is a new K-8 charter school with enrollment of 102. As a new school, enrollment was up 95.41% as compared to the prior year.

The number of home schooled students in the District are unknown but are estimated to be at around 300 students.

Chino Valley Unified School District is composed of four schools. At the end of the 2010-2011 school year, Del Rio Elementary School has an enrollment of 571 and Territorial Elementary School's student population was 452.

Heritage Middle School educated 587 last year and Chino Valley High School served 755 students.

Total District enrollment for 2010-2011 was 2236 students, down 6.77% from last school year. In SY 2007-2008 student enrollment was 2663 students. Total enrollment decline for the four-year period was 427 students or a decline of 16.03%. 3.8% of the decline can be attributed to the opening of the Paulden Community School, with the remaining being attributed to the economic downturn and families simply moving from the District.

For the foreseeable future, enrollment is expedted to continue to decline, but at a lesser rate than what was experienced in 2010-2011.