When the Range covered last week’s Tucson Unified School District’s governing board special meeting on school closures, TUSD used the Catalina Magnet High School auditorium.
Yesterday, TUSD sent out a press release that a continuance of that meeting scheduled for today, Tuesday, Nov. 27, would not be held in the governing board room at the district’s administration building, but once again at Catalina to make sure there was adequate room.
The meeting, which looks at schools on TUSD’s closure and consolidation list, will focus on schools the board requested more information on from district staff before making a decision. Once a list is complete, the district will have a two public hearings next month.
Added to the list for tonight discussion is Wakefield Middle School and Santa Rita High School.
While last week’s special meeting received some criticism on the legality of that meeting and past TUSD school board meetings, this week’s meeting received shots for competing with the second special master desegregation hearing tonight at Pueblo Regional Center. Mexican-American studies advocate Miguel Ortega was the first speaker at yesterday deseg hearing at Tucson Magnet High School, and he mentioned to the special master the two meetings being schedule on the same night and what he consider the continue disrespect of of the community by TUSD.
Here is the deseg info you need to know while figuring out if you’re going go all Star Trek and transport yourself from one meeting to another tonight, or go to TUSD special meeting tonight and the last deseg meeting at Palo Verde High School tomorrow:
The plan is being made available for public review at each TUSD school and online at tucsonusp.com. Public forums continue Tuesday, Nov. 27, at El Pueblo Regional Center; and Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Palo Verde High School. The public comment period closes Nov. 28. A revised plan with any changes will be filed with the court by Hawley on Dec. 10, and all parties involved in the negotiations have until Dec. 14 to file any objections to the changes.
A large crowd is expected at tonight’s TUSD special meeting of parents, children and community members representing Manzo Elementary, as well as Hollinger and Pueblo Gardens. Catalina is located at 3645 E. Pima St. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Depending on how many people participate in the call to audience, and how many times the governing board is willing to extend that call, the meeting could end as it last week — close to 11:30 p.m. Be prepared and, if you can, stay to the end.
For more info, go to tusd1.org/contents/govboard/gbagenda.html
From TUSD press release:
Two public hearings are scheduled for Dec. 8 (10 a.m.) and Dec. 10 (6 p.m.) at Catalina Magnet High School to allow the community to provide input to the governing board on schools for which closure has been initiated.
The governing board has also scheduled a special board meeting for Dec. 20 to consider the issue of finalizing any school closures.
This article appears in Nov 22-28, 2012.
TUSD is a joke. The national press was favorable to MAS studies when they thought it was simply, “Mexican American History”, but then when it was revealed to be a morally repugnant means of indoctrinating Latinos to believe their culture to be horribly oppressed and racially superior, and for racism and uses non-rational/empirical data to teach hate. Per Wiki on such MAS education which includes “critical race theory”,
” What is most arresting about critical race theory is that…it turns its back on the Western tradition of rational inquiry, forswearing analysis for narrative. Rather than marshal logical arguments and empirical data, critical race theorists tell stories — fictional, science-fictional, quasi-fictional, autobiographical, anecdotal—designed to expose the pervasive and debilitating racism of America today. By repudiating reasoned argumentation, the storytellers reinforce stereotypes about the intellectual capacities of nonwhites.”
This whole situation is so depressing, I’m (almost) at a loss for words. No matter what your politics, in the end, it only serves to hurt the students, the community, and will effectively end job security for teachers, support staff, and many classified staff. Meanwhile, let’s crowd everyone into the schools that manage to survive closure, including charter schools which are rarely larger than a fast-food building. Makes the future of teaching and learning look even more bleak than it already did. Thanks, Arizona “government”!
I have to admit that this entire situation, has had me feeling every emotional way possible. I have twin 8 year old daughters with Learning Disabilities that these school closures are going to directly affect. I have been angry and confused. Asking myself, “How is this going to help our kids?. I decided at the last minute to go to a meeting at my daughters school. Schumaker Elementary School.
Dr. Julie Laird (Principal) was the Host and Mediator of this meeting. I was amazed to find there were about 8 people that attended. I am so glad that I decided to go. I now understand why all these decisions are being made. It doesn’t mean I agree with all of them. But, thanks to Dr. Laird, she did an exceptional job of explaining things, that made sense. Also, answered questions that were difficult for her. And did her best to explain questions where there are no solid answers. I feel strongly, that had I gone to one of the larger TUSD meetings. I wouldn’t have walked away with the knowledge I received at this meeting.
For all the families in the area. It is unfortunate that you missed this meeting. It was very enlightening.
Good for valerie parrott for speaking up about these meetings…I’m glad to see a parent so concerned. It’s easy to complain about the district and make this whole situation political, but there are no easy answers and those of us in the trenches know who it really effects…the parents, their kids, and those of us just trying to teach them. Many principals have the thankless task of trying to explain the situation in a climate that is constantly changing, and is fraught with controversy and misunderstandings. So good for you for speaking out!
I hope your twin girls get the best that is available under these terrible circumstances. They deserve every chance!