Scottsdale Unified School District No Dream Too Big . . . No Challenge Too Great

The Governing Board voted 5-0 Tuesday night to name the baseball field at Chaparral High School in honor of Coach Jerry Dawson.

The action came following a request last month by students, former players, and others. Chaparral Principal Mary Lou Muccino and District Athletic Director Joe Corte, in recommending the action, noted that Coach Dawson has been the varsity baseball coach since 1974 and continues to provide a quality program at the high school.

According to Mrs. Muccino, Mr. Dawson’s teams have amassed a record of 574-262-9. “His teams have won 18 region championships, attained seven state finals, and won three state championships,” she noted.

“His teams have always been known for their sound fundamentals, outstanding work ethic, behavior that indicated a high level of character, and team play resulting in success,” noted Mr. Corte.

A dedication and celebration is being planned for later this school year.

In other business at Tuesday’s meeting high school students from throughout the District delivered a message of diversity, self-growth, and appreciation to the Governing Board. The students, all participants of Unitown, expressed their gratitude to the Board and to the superintendent for supporting the program.

Unitown “helps me accept people for who they are, not what they look like,” a Saguaro student told the Board.

Unitown, which includes a camp experience, first came to the District in 1990, according to Jackie Tooley, an Arcadia High School teacher and Unitown’s all-district coordinator. There are more than 1,000 SUSD graduates who are former “Unitowners,” she noted.

In addition to Unitown, which is for high school students, there is a similar program for the middle schools known as “Minitown.”

“This program fights prejudice, racism, and teaches students how to treat others,” noted Terri Kellen, Minitown coordinator and principal of Pueblo Elementary School.

Additionally, the Board heard a budget and financial update from Bob Flach, chief financial officer, including information on proposed legislation that would severely impact next year’s District budget. Mr. Flach pointed to discussions at the state Capitol that call for the elimination of a two percent inflationary factor and the elimination of Career Ladder funding for teachers. He noted that 75 percent of SUSD’s teaching staff is involved with the Career Ladder program, “which is under an absolute threat” at the Capitol.

Also being discussed by legislators is an accelerated annual reduction in excess utility funding, noted Bill Johnson, chief of facilities and operations. The District currently receives more than $4 million in excess utility funding, Dr. Johnson said.

Desegregation funding also is at risk, according to Cathy Rivera, executive director for educational operations and the director of English Immersion Studies (EIS). These state dollars pay for EIS resource and classroom teachers, instructional assistants, tutors, and cultural activities. It also funds such support services as community specialists, translation specialists, social workers, bilingual psychologists, testing supplies, parent educators, and the Native American Student Education Program facilitator.

Deseg funding was capped last year, yet the number of SUSD English Language Learner (ELL) students continues to grow, from 209 students in 1987, to almost 2,100 students today, Mrs. Rivera noted.

“Our challenge is to maintain our compliance under an administrative agreement with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, as our numbers continue to grow,” she said.

Mrs. Rivera and Board Member Christine Schild also reported on their advocacy efforts at the legislature, with regard to legislation that would eliminate deseg funding.

In other work, the Board:

• Accepted gifts valued at $22,875. Gifts were received from Tonalea Student Council, DMHS Dance Council, DMHS Yearbook Club, Anasazi PTO, Ingleside PTO, Mountainside PTO, Mr. & Mrs. Ron Barnes, Judy Guilds, Athletic Aces, Caretakers of the Environment, and the Scottsdale Charros.
   
• Approved the expenditure of $6,938 to supplement a state School Facilities Board (SFB) stair installation project at Arcadia High School in Building 100. State funding for the project is set at $23,000.
   
• Approved the award of RFP #2157 to Applied Educational Systems for technology lab instructional modules.
   
• Approved the award of RFP #3088 to Educators Preferred Corporation for financial consulting services regarding a possible employee severance program.
   
• Approved the sale of a television production vehicle to Scottsdale Community College in the amount of $133,610.

The next Governing Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 18, at the Education Center.
#