Graduation is just days away. Then, they’ll be moving on to the next phases of their life.

A “Celebration of Life” service to honor respected educator and leader among state high school sports circles Art Wagner is scheduled for Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert.

Higley Unified School District athletic director Art Wagner, 43, was found dead near Higley High School Wednesday morning, according to the Gilbert Police Department. Police say the matter is still under investigation, but believe Wagner died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Former State Senator David Schapira has been appointed assistant superintendent at Mesa’s East Valley Institute of Technology.

While the job market nationally continues to show mixed results, high school students in the East Valley recently had the opportunity to learn how best to make a start in the business world at Junior Achievement’s annual “You’re Hired” event.

East Valley students and their families are invited to meet experts on programs and services that help students with disabilities succeed in the transition from high school to adulthood.

After nearly a year since a committee was made to explore the idea of a Montessori high school for the Tempe Union High School District (TUHSD), school officials are taking the next steps toward making that idea reality.

On a chilly Thursday afternoon, Desert Vista High School junior Ava Posta worked contentedly at Pomegranate Cafe in Ahwatukee Foothills, stamping pastry bags and coffee sleeves with the local cafe’s signature pink logo.

Tempe Union High School District is celebrating the good works of its students in videos online.

With outstretched condolences and a reignited concern for school security after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., local school districts and officials were prompted this week to reassure parents and the surrounding community that students are kept safe and staff members are prepared.

The Tempe Union High School District’s 2013 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists were recognized at an awards reception on Oct. 29 at Desert Vista High School. Families, friends and principals were joined by Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Baca and governing board members Michelle Helm, Zita Johnson, DeeAnne McClenahan, David Schapira and Mary Lou Taylor. Dr. David Garcia, ASU associate professor, Division of Educational Leadership and Innovation, was the guest speaker.

Tempe High School, home to Tempe Union High School District’s International Baccalaureate Programme, will host an informational meeting for parents and prospective IB students 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Montessori High School Exploratory Committee will give a report to the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at the district office, 500 W. Guadalupe Road, Tempe.

Results from Tuesday’s election have named new local school district governing board members as well as an approval of the well-known bond initiative for Tempe Union High School District.

School districts in Gilbert, Queen Creek and Tempe are facing budget cuts next school year after voters in those communities turned down requests to renew budget overrides.

Results from last night’s election have named new local school district governing board members as well as an approval of the well-known bond initiative for Tempe Union High School District.

Higley Unified School District’s request to renew its maintenance and operations budget override was failing Tuesday night, according to unofficial results.

According to early voting, it appears that voters have approved a $75 million bond for Tempe Union High School District, but have shot down a budget override request.

Voters were opposing a 15 percent budget override for maintenance and operations put on the ballot by Chandler Unified School District’s governing board with about 54 percent of votes against it and 46 percent of votes for it, according to early, unofficial general election results.

Mesa voters were approving a $230 million bond question for the school district Tuesday night in early unofficial results.

Gilbert voters were turning down a school district request to renew its budget override, according to early unofficial results Tuesday night.

When East Valley voters go to the polls Tuesday, they will decide whether to support a number of city and school district bond issues and budget overrides.

Tempe Union High School District’s governing board made some of the last revisions to the 2012-2017 Strategic Plan during a study session last week, which could be approved on Nov. 7.

East Valley school districts say one of the top impacts of the economic downturn has been a rise in class sizes.