🌵 TUSD Board Meeting: A Tale of AC Units, Teacher Contracts, and Parental Leave
🌡️ TUSD Heats Up: $345K AC Purchase Sparks Debate 👪 Family First: TUSD's Bold Move for Work-Life Balance
🗣️ Notable Quotes
"We're stuck with this $245,000 plus the ones that we already have in perpetuity. Have we looked into leasing as an option so that we wouldn't have to pay for maintenance costs and other things?" - Dr. Ravi Shah, questioning the AC unit purchase
"They need a full-time, highly qualified teacher to take it for the year or the semester at best." - Dr. Gabriel Trujillo, defending the use of contracted teachers
"For us to be able to do this is groundbreaking and it's awesome and we all should be supporting this." - Jennifer Eckstrom, supporting the parental leave policy
"I feel like we have to address the underlying issue, and that is the kids are allowed to fail multiple years worth of schooling. And then they get slammed as a senior with tons of credit recovery." - Patty Tabaczynski, public speaker on credit recovery concerns
⏮️ Last Meeting Summary
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
📚 The school board had a big meeting! They talked about buying air conditioners to keep classrooms cool 🌡️, hiring more teachers to help at schools that need them 👨🏫, and giving moms and dads more time off when they have babies 👶. They also talked about helping students who need to catch up on classes 🎓. Some people liked these ideas, but others weren't sure. It was a long meeting with lots of important decisions made!
🗝️ Takeaways
🏫 TUSD approves $345,000 for portable AC units amid HVAC upgrade debates
👨🏫 Board approves use of contracted teachers for high-priority schools
👶 12-week paid parental leave policy approved, positioning TUSD as a leader in employee benefits
🎓 Credit recovery program scrutinized for potential academic integrity issues
💼 Retired school psychologists allowed to return after one year to address staffing shortages
📢 Call to the Audience: Voices from the Community
The call to the audience segment of the TUSD board meeting on September 24, 2024, served as a powerful reminder of the diverse concerns and passionate engagement of our community. From academic integrity to school safety, the public speakers brought forth various issues that deserve our attention and critical analysis.
📚 Credit Recovery Concerns: A Cry for Academic Rigor
Patty Tabaczynski, a teacher with over 20 years of experience, raised alarm bells about the district's credit recovery program. Her impassioned plea highlighted a systemic issue that goes beyond mere logistics:
"I feel like we have to address the underlying issue, and that is the kids are allowed to fail multiple years’ worth of schooling. And then they get slammed as a senior with tons of credit recovery."
Tabaczynski's concerns touch on a fundamental question of educational equity and integrity. Are we truly serving our students by allowing them to progress through grades without mastering essential skills, only to face a mountain of catch-up work in their final year? This approach puts undue stress on students and potentially devalues the diplomas we award.
Her suggestions for improvement, including mandatory immediate makeup, pre- and post-testing, real-time interventions, and browser locks for online courses, merit serious consideration. As progressive advocates for education, we must ensure that our credit recovery programs are tools for genuine learning and not merely shortcuts to boost graduation rates.
👩🏫 Substitute Teacher Rights: A Call for Fair Compensation
Dolores de Vera highlighted the often-overlooked issue of substitute teacher compensation and qualifications. Her statement revealed a troubling disparity:
"If you offered TUSD subs $247 a day, of course a lot more would be interested. You haven't offered these jobs at the hard-to-fill rate of $200 a day. Why aren't you offering TUSD subs a higher long-term rate?"
This pay gap between district-employed substitutes and those hired through third-party contractors is a glaring example of the devaluation of educational labor. It's a stark reminder that even as we celebrate progressive policies like the new parental leave, we must remain vigilant about all aspects of fair compensation and treatment for our educators.
🚨 School Safety: Community-Driven Solutions
James Beart offered an innovative perspective on school safety, suggesting the involvement of retired military police officers as volunteer monitors. While this idea requires careful consideration to avoid over-policing our schools, it speaks to a broader desire for community involvement in creating safe learning environments.
Beart's suggestion to look into the "POTS" program and similar initiatives in other districts highlights the importance of researching and potentially adapting successful safety models from other communities.
💰 Fiscal Responsibility and Grant Opportunities
Jerry Schuster raised important points about exploring grant opportunities for pressing needs like HVAC repairs and school safety measures. In an era of chronic underfunding for public education, his call for proactive grant-seeking is a reminder that we must leave no stone unturned in our quest for resources to support our students and schools.
🔍 Transparency and Integrity Concerns
Tara Radliff's comments during the call to the audience raised serious allegations about potential conflicts of interest within the TUSD Governing Board. Specifically, she focused on board member Ravi Shah. Here's a summary of her key points:
LLC Formation and Higher Ground Contract: Radliff stated, "In May 2020, Ravi Shah and husband Tim established an LLC. Ravi was listed as a manager of this LLC. In June, while Ravi was campaigning for the TUSD election, Tim and their joint LLC were hired by Higher Ground. In August, Higher Ground was awarded a contract with TUSD."
Potential Ineligibility for Board Membership: She cited ARS 15-421D, which prohibits employees of school district contractors (or their spouses) from serving on the governing board of that district. Radliff questioned whether this made Ravi ineligible to be a board member.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Radliff mentioned that Ravi signed a TUSD conflict of interest form in November 2020 regarding Tim being hired by Higher Ground, affirming he would not participate in matters related to them.
Voting on Related Matters: Despite the conflict of interest disclosure, Radliff alleged, "On December 6, 2022, Ravi voted to double expenditures for the remaining Higher Ground contract, which amounted to $2.9 million." She cited ARS 15-323A1, which prohibits board members from voting on matters concerning the employment or remuneration of their spouses.
Subsequent Conflict of Interest Form: Radliff stated, "In August 2023, Ravi signed another TUSD conflict of interest form stating he had no conflict of interest to disclose. At that time, he was still legally married to Tim. Their divorce wasn't finalized until December and he was still listed on their LLC as a manager."
Call for Investigation: Radliff concluded by saying, "This information has the appearance of a disregard for transparency, integrity, and brings into question the financial responsibility of this board. I believe it would be in the best interest of the school district to investigate this matter."
If true, these allegations raise significant concerns about transparency, ethical conduct, and potential legal violations in the board's operations. It's important to note that these allegations were made during a public comment period and would require thorough investigation to verify their accuracy and implications.
🌱 Environmental Learning: A Bright Spot
On a more positive note, Peggy and Steve Goulding's recognition for their generous donations to the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning highlights the community's commitment to environmental education. Investing in hands-on, nature-based learning experiences is crucial as we face growing environmental challenges.
In a marathon meeting that would make even the Saguaro cactus wilt, the TUSD Governing Board convened on September 24, 2024, to tackle a scorching agenda that left no stone unturned – or in this case, no AC unit unpurchased.
🌡️ The Great AC Debate: Cool Classrooms or Hot Air?
The board's decision to approve $345,000 for portable AC units sparked a heated debate that could rival the Sonoran Desert sun. While the move aims to provide immediate relief for sweltering students and staff, it raises questions about the district's long-term HVAC strategy.
Board member Dr. Ravi Shah, ever the voice of fiscal prudence, questioned the wisdom of purchasing versus leasing: "We're stuck with this $245,000 plus the ones that we already have in perpetuity. Have we looked into leasing as an option so that we wouldn't have to pay for maintenance costs and other things?"
This reporter can't help but wonder: Are we putting a band-aid on a sunburn when we need full-body sunscreen?
👨🏫 Outsourcing Education: A Classroom Conundrum
In a move that has raised eyebrows higher than a saguaro's arms, the board approved the use of contracted teachers for high-priority schools. While this may provide a quick fix for staffing shortages, it begs the question: Are we selling our educational soul to the highest bidder?
Dr. Trujillo defended the decision, stating, "They need a full-time, highly qualified teacher to take it for the year or the semester at best."
But at what cost to our community and our commitment to nurturing homegrown talent?
👶 Parental Leave: A Progressive Paso Adelante
In a refreshing turn of events that could make even the harshest critic of capitalism shed a tear of joy, TUSD has taken a giant leap forward in approving a 12-week paid parental leave policy. This move positions TUSD as a beacon of progress in a state often criticized for its conservative stance on labor rights.
Board member Jennifer Eckstrom passionately supported the measure, stating, "For us to be able to do this is groundbreaking and it's awesome and we all should be supporting this."
However, not everyone was on board with this family-friendly fiesta. Board member Val Romero voiced concerns, citing potential misuse and impact on substitute availability. One can't help but wonder if Mr. Romero has ever tried to change a diaper while worrying about job security.
🎓 Credit Recovery: Academic Lifeline or Integrity Crisis?
The district's credit recovery program came under scrutiny, with concerns raised about its rigor and potential for abuse. While the program aims to help students get back on track, some worry it may be more of a shortcut than a true educational journey.
Dr. Trujillo emphasized the need for real-time intervention: "The intervention can't come even at the end of the course. It actually has to come progress report time."
A noble goal, but in a system where standardized tests reign supreme, are we truly addressing the root causes of academic struggle?
Union Matters: A Collective Voice in the Desert
While unions weren't explicitly discussed, the approval of the parental leave policy and the debate around contracted teachers highlight the ongoing importance of collective bargaining in education.
The Tucson Education Association's influence was evident in the push for parental leave, demonstrating the power of organized labor in shaping district policies.
Voting Record
Portable AC Units Purchase: Approved unanimously
Use of Contracted Teachers: Approved 4-1 (Shaw opposed)
Appointment of New Alternative Education Advisory Committee Members: Approved unanimously
Family and Medical Leave Act Policy Revision: Approved 4-1 (Romero opposed)
Rehiring of Retired School Psychologists: Approved unanimously
Valley Schools Employee Benefits Group Contract: Approved unanimously
In conclusion, this TUSD board meeting was a microcosm of the larger struggles facing public education in Arizona and nationwide. From immediate needs like air conditioning to long-term investments in our educators and families, the decisions made here will ripple through our community for years to come.
🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary
TUSD Board Meeting: A Microcosm of Educational Inequality and Labor Rights Struggles
The recent Tucson Unified School District board meeting on September 24, 2024, reminded us of our community's ongoing struggles for educational equity, workers' rights, and environmental justice. As we dissect the decisions and debates held, we see a reflection of larger societal issues plaguing our education system and workforce.
While seemingly necessary in our scorching Sonoran climate, the approval of $345,000 for portable AC units highlights the chronic underfunding of public education infrastructure. While providing immediate relief, this band-aid solution fails to address the root cause of our crumbling school facilities. As climate change intensifies, we must demand comprehensive, sustainable solutions to protect our children and planet. The debate around leasing versus purchasing these units also raises questions about fiscal responsibility and long-term environmental impact.
Perhaps most troubling is the board's decision to approve using contracted teachers for high-priority schools. While framed as addressing immediate staffing needs, this move is a dangerous step towards privatizing public education. Outsourcing teaching positions risks undermining the stability and community connections vital to adequate education, particularly in our most vulnerable schools.
As Dr. Gabriel Trujillo stated, "They need a full-time, highly qualified teacher to take it for the year or the semester at best." But at what cost to our educators' job security and our students' consistency?
Approving a 12-week paid parental leave policy is a rare bright spot in this landscape of educational challenges. This progressive move positions TUSD as a leader who recognizes the importance of work-life balance and family support.
As board member Jennifer Eckstrom rightly pointed out, "For us to be able to do this is groundbreaking, and it's awesome, and we all should be supporting this."
However, some board members' opposition to this policy reveals the ongoing struggle against regressive attitudes toward workers' rights and family care.
The discussion around the credit recovery program raises serious concerns about educational equity and the pressure to improve graduation rates potentially at the expense of genuine learning.
As public speaker Patty Tabaczynski stated, "I feel like we have to address the underlying issue, and that is the kids are allowed to fail multiple years’ worth of schooling. And then they get slammed as a senior with tons of credit recovery."
This system seems to perpetuate a cycle of lowered expectations and last-minute fixes rather than addressing the systemic issues that lead to student struggles in the first place.
Another example of short-term thinking is the decision to allow retired school psychologists to return after one year while potentially addressing staffing shortages. Instead of investing in training and supporting new professionals in this critical field, we're relying on retirees to fill the gaps. This approach fails to address the underlying issues of burnout, inadequate compensation, and lack of support that drive professionals out of the field in the first place.
As we reflect on these decisions, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly serving the best interests of our students, educators, and community? Or are we simply managing crises without addressing our education system's fundamental inequalities and systemic failures?
The struggles we see in TUSD are not unique—they reflect broader issues in public education across the nation. From the impacts of climate change on our schools to the ongoing battles for workers' rights and educational equity, these local decisions have far-reaching implications.
As progressive advocates for social justice, we must continue to push for comprehensive, long-term solutions that address the root causes of educational inequality. We must demand full funding for public education, support for our educators, and policies that prioritize the well-being of students and families over quick fixes and cost-cutting measures.
As a community, we must ensure that our education system becomes a true practice of freedom and a catalyst for positive transformation in our society.
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People Mentioned
Natalie Luna Rose (Board President):
"I just want to clarify. When I asked Dr. Trujillo for an APEX presentation, I wanted, obviously, I had looked at this, but I wanted to address those concerns about why we aren't identifying students who have failed, you know, right away and what that looks like."
Context: Discussing the credit recovery program and its implementation.
Jennifer Eckstrom (Board Clerk):
"For us to be able to do this is groundbreaking and it's awesome and we all should be supporting this."
Context: Speaking in support of the parental leave policy.
Dr. Gabriel Trujillo (Superintendent):
"They need a full-time, highly qualified teacher to take it for the year or the semester at best."
Context: Defending the decision to use contracted teachers for high-priority schools.
Greg Meier (Director of Facilities Management):
No direct quotes, but presented information on the portable AC units purchase.
Ricky Hernandez (Chief Financial Officer):
Provided financial context for various decisions, including the AC units purchase and health insurance services.
Dr. Ravi Shah (Board Member):
"We're stuck with this $245,000 plus the ones that we already have in perpetuity. Have we looked into leasing as an option so that we wouldn't have to pay for maintenance costs and other things?"
Context: Questioning the financial implications of purchasing portable AC units.
Val Romero (Board Member):
Expressed concerns about the parental leave policy, citing potential misuse and impact on substitute availability.
Robert S. Ross Jr. (General Counsel):
Provided legal context for various decisions, particularly regarding the parental leave policy.
Patty Tabaczynski (Public Speaker):
"I feel like we have to address the underlying issue, and that is the kids are allowed to fail multiple years’ worth of schooling. And then they get slammed as a senior with tons of credit recovery."
Context: Speaking during the call to the audience about concerns with the credit recovery program.
Jim Burns (TEA President):
"TEA is super happy to celebrate the win with the district and you all giving progressive forward thinking leadership on this policy."
Context: Speaking in support of the parental leave policy during the call to the audience.
Tara Radliff (Public Speaker):
Raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest regarding a board member's business dealings.
Peggy Goulding (Donor):
Recognized for generous donations to the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning.
Colin Waite (Director, Cooper Center for Environmental Learning):
Presented information on the Cooper Center renovations and donor recognition.
Dr. Flori Huitt (Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction):
Presented information on the credit recovery program and contracted teachers for high-priority schools.
Jon Fernandez (Chief Human Capital Officer):
Presented information on rehiring retired school psychologists and health insurance services.