Task force to study possibility of new high school

Scottsdale Superintendent Dr. John M. Baracy is asking community residents to help the district examine the possibility of opening a university-style or similarly themed high school in the developing area of the district in time for next school year.

Dr. Baracy told the Governing Board on Tuesday night that he believes the district can open a high school as early as August 2005. He asked parents and others in the community to volunteer to take part in a task force that would examine the issue over the next 10 weeks and report its findings by November 1.

“I believe we can do this, and I believe we should do this for the benefit of the students,” Dr. Baracy said. “No one thinks the current situation is the best solution, and with parents’ help I know we can find the right solution.”

High school students who live in areas near McDowell Mountain Ranch must drive or take a bus to Chaparral or Saguaro high schools. Parents have asked the district to find a solution that will allow those students to attend school closer to their homes.

The task force will be led by three district administrators who work with schools on a daily basis. They are Cathy Rivera, executive director of Educational Operations; Dr. Althe Allen, executive director of Student Services, and Katy Cavanaugh, academic officer. Parents can volunteer for the task force by sending an e-mail to the district at highschool@susd.org.

The task force will consider such issues as whether the new school would have a college prep program and where it could be located temporarily before a permanent high school could be built, Dr. Baracy said. An eventual permanent high school may be located near Copper Ridge elementary and middle schools, where land is available, he said.

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