August 18, 2017
Dear MUSD Parent/Guardian:
The 2017-2018 school year is off to a great start! Our teachers, staff, administrators, District Leadership, and Governing Board are honored and excited to begin this new journey with you and your child. We welcomed over 12,200 students last week, and students are already engaged in their new learning environments, making new friends, and being challenged, inspired, and enriched.
The Marana district takes pride in embracing the needs of every child and providing a diverse educational experience for the 21st century learner. To that end, this year all K-12 students and teachers now have access to mobile devices! Made possible through the 2014 voter approved School Improvement Bond, these Chromebook mobile devices support and enhance achievement and students' ability to easily connect with their teacher, fellow students, and content; thereby providing an unparalleled learning experience.
Not only are Marana students collaborating and connecting through their mobile devices, this year we are piloting the Science Techbook™ digital textbook series through Discovery Education, the leading provider of K-12 digital content. Our 3rd-6th graders have the exciting opportunity to experience science on a deeper level through award-winning video, audio, text and interactive hands-on activities, as well as virtual labs! This standards-aligned content allows teachers to better personalize and in essence transform your child's classroom experience.
Aligned with our ongoing transition to K-12 dynamic digital classrooms, the District sent a survey last spring to parents and staff to determine the level of community support related to increasing the District's existing 10% Maintenance & Operation Budget Override. Over 3,300 individuals responded overwhelmingly (76.38%) in support of the District adding 3% to our existing M&O Budget Override to provide for award-winning digital textbooks/supplemental instructional resources, STEM, 1:1 learning environments; attract, recruit, and retain highly performing personnel; and avoid increases in class size and the elimination or reduction in the level of classroom and support services. As a result, the Governing Board has called for a Maintenance & Operations Budget Override Election to be held on November 7, 2017 to add an additional 3%, 2% less than the maximum amount allowed by law. To learn about Prop. 456, please visit www.maranausd.org/override.
In our ongoing commitment to transparency, communication, and optimal school/home partnerships, I am pleased to announce the launch of our new District Website, School Websites and our new mobile App designed specifically to keep our families better informed and connected to what's going on in our schools. These Websites and App are optimized to access from your smartphone or tablet, meaning you can get the information you need on the go. We are confident you will appreciate how easy it is to stay informed through top stories, announcements, notifications, and so much more! I invite you to view our new websites and download our FREE "Marana Unified School District" mobile App from the iTunes App Store® or Google Play® today.
Best wishes for a successful school year, and thank you for entrusting your child's education to the Marana Unified School District.
Sincerely,
Doug Wilson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Marana USD | 11279 W. Grier Road, Marana, AZ 85653 | 520-682-3243
