The school board gets an F, not because they closed a school, but because they failed to perform proper due diligence. Not once did we see them talk or discuss with any substance the community's input, the potential loss of enrollment, the hardship of extended bus routes, or even remotely touch upon maximizing facility utilization. They (as a group and not individually) just sat high upon the dais, regurgitating its spoon fed blandness from the mothering administration, cowering behind their micromanaging fear. We have said it before, nothing has changed and the status quo rules Cave Creek Unified School District No. 93, both in leadership and in academics.
Don't fear those who claim the grass is not greener. They may claim it is not greener, but they never prove that it is brown. Yes, do what is best for your children first, but don't be afraid to explore the options available to you as a parent whether it is a charter school, home schooling, a virtual school, a parochial school, or a neighboring district school. While our state may not fund schools to the fullest, we are lucky to live a state that offers choice and competition. Take advantage of it.
CCUSD Watch says "While our state may not fund schools to the fullest, we are lucky to live a state that offers choice and competition. Take advantage of it."
ReplyDeleteIn other words... "Since we are a bunch of old codgers that don't give a hoot about anything but our tax bill... please get off of it by taking your wretched offspring elsewhere. Thank you."
Let me remind people of the CCUSD Watch proposed solution to the district's financial problems: http://ccusdwatch.blogspot.com/2010/03/cave-creek-unifed-budget-is-in-dire.html.
ReplyDeleteWhy are they now jumping on the "don't close the school" bandwagon?
Last night's meeting was a disgrace to our community. Seeing the writing on the wall, and not happy with the alternative, we proactively took steps to remove our current 6th grader from DAMS/ CCUSD several months ago. He is very excited about this new opportunity and can't wait to get out from the black cloud he and his friends have been under this past year.
ReplyDeleteWhile I know that many have also enrolled their kids elsewhere already, last night after the meeting I heard several more parents chatting on the way out that they too were going to actively look for another place for their DAMS student. That they had "HAD ENOUGH".
The chaos has only yet begun, I fear.
Parents aren't taking their kids out of CCUSD just because they closed a school. Give us more credit. We have been disappointed time and time again with underwhelming leadership, no curriculum support, misleading information and now this a vote to close a school made hours before the results of a state tax proposal come in. Wow Member Schaefer....now you throw facility utilization at us....all elementary student parents beware..this means you next...it should have meant you first. I don't have a problem with making tough decisions but you better have something to show for it....We closed DAMS to save half a million where will that money go..oh yeah all-day K. Let me tell you K parents I have lots of experience hear me loud and clear "Your child would do just fine in half-day K" We didn't vote for it and guess what the way things stand it's going away in the near future no matter how many times you take to the microphone. When the district finally wakes up and realizes hmmm the override didn't pass means oh yeah the community does not support all-day K the district will then tell you "Your child will be just fine" You were used. Ditto with Art/Music/PE..elementary can't do without those..guess what ALL of the K-6 certified teachers are more than qualified to provide art/music/pe to our kiddos.."They'll be fine." Not this year of course but the district will pull out that retoric soon enough. The savings should have gone to benefit ALL CCUSD students. They should have made all of those cuts this year rounded up all that savings and did something meaningful about class size and curriculum support. Instead what did our middle school students get let me see staffing at STMS will be 32:1..hmmm oh yeah just like this year..My child had one class with 32..6 with 40+ How did that work out for everyone? And for added pleasure an hour long bus ride to STMS. And a future where parents hold parent/teacher conferences without teachers. Please don't tell me to hang in there it's bad all over I refuse to believe that any other district has as much inexperience or lack of leadership as CCUSD.
ReplyDelete11:35 p.m. You are very wrong about the "old codgers". Did you know that in the last successful override election, there were more "YES" votes out of the town of Carefree (where the "old codgers live") than voted in Tatum Ranch IN TOTAL? Yes, in the final tally, Carefree as a town went against the override, but their "yes" votes by some very concerned, hard working, supportive retired folk helped pass that override which was very close.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you that if CCUSD board/ administration had done their job and had come to DAMS parents in September (I contend the administration was planning to close the school ever since it first came up and the vote last summer was just a delay and the restructuring of Desert Sun was an effort to keep that school off the chopping block though its enrollment should have left it there) and had said "we have done our research--here are the cost savings of closing every school in the district, here are all the other cost savings we can find everywhere else in the budget, here are the costs of moving teachers/supplies, etc. from each school in the district, here are the costs of bussing with each new configuration and here are the curricular/student movement affects of each of these decisions...and we have found that closing Desert Arroyo is our only and best option for saving our school district...
"But you know what...we will work with the students, parents, teachers and staff at DAMS to make sure this transition is as smooth as possible and we will work with all the 6th grade teachers and the principals at all elementary schools to make sure we do not hurt the curricular experience of our 6th graders. We will take the next nine months to combine Desert Arroyo and STMS and create a new, exciting school."
But, no...they did not do that. I contend because they did not do their research. That is why DAMS parents are angry. In addition, they discussed closing of DAMS while promoting the opening of a new "CSHS Academy" AND promoting Desert Sun as a new "honors academy" (again, what is it with the word "academy" that seems to be so awe-inspiring). Take Desert Sun...same curriculum, same teachers, same principal...they have said "lower class sizes" (again, aren't all the other schools then paying for this) and put the kids in uniform and suddenly this is some spectacular school... REALLY? Are parents that gullible? Then, they promoted FREE all-day kindergarten...that is not FREE it is costing the closure of a school in the district.
Yes, closing a school is hard and frustrating, but that is compounded greatly by an administration/board that did not do their research and hid behind "overly complicated budgets" and "state funding issues" and then promoted all their pet projects almost as a slap in the face while at the same time touting their "need" to close DAMS.
I have not been a parent that jumps from school to school. I have served on many district committees, I have worked hard to support decisions that did not necessarily benefit my children, but were in the best interest of the district as a whole. I have put in countless hours of volunteer time and have advocated endlessly for previous bonds and overrides. I cannot do it any more.
As you can see in the Republic there is already talk about how the $$ from Prop 101 won't keep cuts from happening and that it is just a band-aid but in "three years" it is going to be worse...see that...already laying the groundwork to ask for an extension of the tax and it hasn't even started yet.
BTW anonymous 5:43 a.m. CCUSD Watch was never on a "don't close a school" bandwagon. They are not now, they just said "close the right school" and CCUSD did not.
5:43am here.
ReplyDeleteWatch said to close several schools. Read their post.
Well said 5:50 pm. -And to put it in terms Mr. Schaefer may understand...CCUSD needed to conduct a merger -unfortunately the whole fiasco is being handled more like a hostile takeover. Customers are not stupid, they know when they are getting screwed.
ReplyDeleteChalk it all up to inexperience and poor leadership.
That is correct, we said close schools and maximize the facilities we have by having a two-node district.
ReplyDeleteThose who really understood the situation weren't opposed to closing schools, they were opposed to decisions being made without a proper analysis, a considerations of all options, and some effort put into mitigating the long bus rides many students will face.
That is what is beind the DAMS parents' anger. Believe me, they understand the need for budget cuts. Many have faced dire cuts in their own families -- some saying their income had fallen as much as 85% or 100% (yes, both parents currently out of work). They have had to cut every frill from their budget and have had to scrimp and save just to eat in some cases.
ReplyDeleteIt is the WAY the cuts were done and the lack of due diligence that has made them really angry. It is the way their concerns about such were dismissed by administrators saying "you are just angry and emotional parents".
This decision was made months ago. It should not have been made until all research and all options were explored. Yes, Watch had suggested closing more than one school and using facilities more wisely.
Perhaps that decision also would have brought CCUSD more together to work together on the creative solutions rather than creating animosity and "favored" or "non-favored" status among the schools.
I encourage any family making a decision for next year to visit Sonoran Trails Middle School.
ReplyDeleteI have visited and met with Mr. Dolezal. How sad that this school has been treated like a poor cousin during all of this as the "North" rides through STMS's backyard on the way to other districts.
As far as I can tell, arrangements are in place or underway to move the few "excelling" programs from DAMS to STMS. I understand walking away from institution/branding/tradition--it's sad to lose that. There should be a time of grief, reflection and accounting.
One visit to STMS can actually help you through it. You can feel leadership and enthusiasm from Mr. Dolezal and staff. They also luminate a "can do" attitude which is also a breath of fresh air. This has had to be a difficult time for STMS too, and yet I have seen nothing from STMS staff and PTO which has been anything but understanding and kind. Efforts to paint them otherwise, were truly misguided.
Process is rarely pretty. Not in business, not in schools and not in relationships. Those that were injected into the process deeply have been through the grinder, and are sharing deep, strong feelings. I appreciate that and would not want that investment not to have a venue.
For those reading this blog and trying to figure out which carpool to join or whether the extra 10 minute drive is worth it--VISIT STMS.
I am a DAMS parent, not staff, nor board member.
Personally, we are not opposed to the combining of the schools --in theory. As 6:01 am pointed out, businesses merge routinely and survive - some even better than as separate units. Frankly, maybe it's possible that the middle school education in CCUSD will improve. However, we can not chance another year of our child's education in this district. We are more concerned that our child will end up having some of the same teachers at SMTS than he did this year at DAMS. The (lack of) quality of the education he received this year is why we are leaving.. We're not impressed with the "A+" credential in the slightest.
ReplyDeleteSTMS has always been treated like the red headed step child and in fact is a very good school. There has always been a north against south mentality in this district. I think DAMS parents might be surprised how much they end up liking STMS or what ever they are going to call it.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Good teachers will want to be where strong leadership exists. That was lacking at DAMS. I am also encouraged by the proposed elimination of employment time as the only measure for retention of teachers. That's where charter and private schools have a distinct advantage. In that they can also better reward high performing teachers is a plus too.
ReplyDeleteThere are numerous other measures which can be applied which will help poor performers move to another line of work.
I am also encouraged with the move toward standardized curriculum through Core Knowledge etc. Teachers should also be held accountable to properly using the curriculum, not just setting it aside and doing what they want. It's not about the bricks and mortar.
It's unfortunate that some of the issues at the middle school level were left to fester for this long. The misconception that parents check out, was fostered by closing doors, and misguided thinking. As the bulk of the district population hit the middle schools starting about three years ago, the lack of planning and accountability started showing in a very big way. Attempts to manipulate populations without rezoning, lackluster leadership and not making the MS level experience commeasurate with the elementary experience has created a lot of unnecessary flight. Create a strong middle school program and show that this district can be more than an elementary one note. I do think there is a chance now at STMS.
Personally, I'm glad they shut down DAMS. Ann Orlando and her teachers needed to be knocked off their high horse and taken down a peg. Those teachers may be effective, but they are some of the rudest, egotistical, arrogant, and downright unprofessional people I have ever encountered.
ReplyDeleteOnly CCUSD would close an A+ School and RIF the Silver Apple Award winning teacher.
ReplyDeleteDON'T TRUST DEBBI BURDICK!!!
10:13, That is so generic it is crazy. Like the couple of STMS teachers at the Board meeting clapping when the board members voted to shut down DAMS. That is unprofessional. You never know, your school your job could be next. The closing of DAMS is a mistake, but not because of DAMS. it is because of the lack of good quality research from the Adminstration and the Board. The fact that they would not move a vote 1 day until after the 1% temporary sales tax shows the motive of the District/Board that DAMS never had a chance. It wasn't about the budget (otherwise they would have waited til after the vote). I would ask that every parent, get out to the meetings, read the packets and become more educated on the process in AZ and at our District level. I have no problem with you supporting the Board and the Administration, as long as you don't do it blindly. You need to know the ramifications of the actions. It is not about everyone having the same option, it is about researching facts to form that opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe last poster gives the impression that the Silver Apple Award teacher was riffed arbitrarily or maliciously.
ReplyDeleteIt is my understanding that the teacher was riffed, but told they would be rehired if the 1 cent tax passed. She was merely part of the teachers slated for the next tier of cuts because her department would no longer exist if the tax had not passed. The riffs had to take place by a date earlier than the tax election date due to state contractual requirements.
Also, she is an STMS teacher, not a DAMS teacher.
Regarding trust of Debbi Burdick. Part of the reason that the board does give her more latitude than some of you would like is that the board does trust her, as do many of the teachers. They know how hard working, caring, and thorough she is. It is not a matter in all situations of not asking hard questions. It is a matter of having leadership that you can trust.
Regarding the closing of DAMS. I had a child there. While an Aplus school with some excellent teachers, you should not underestimate STMS. I knew of at least a couple of kids who had transferred there and who were much happier. DAMS served some kids very well. However, class sizes had gotten ridiculous, and they (nor STMS) offer a broad spectrum of courses that might have served other kids better. Perhaps by combining the schools, that will be possible at some point. I hope that the district will also make an attempt not to lose some of the fine teachers that were at DAMS such as Karen Rodi and Sloane Warner.
Also, re: the bus drives. Yes, it will certainly be tougher bus routes for some kids. Hopefully, the district can configure those routes to have less stops. Less stops and a more direct route, may make some of these seemingly longer runs, more comparable with your children's current runs.
And, remember that they will only be making this long set of runs for two years. Had an elementary school closed, some kids would make long runs for 6 years. Once done with STMS, the kids will return to a northern campus for CSHS where they will have shorter runs and the kids from the southern part of the district will have the longer runs. Not really a north vs. south thing at all as the kids will spend longer in CSHS than they will in STMS.
Regarding the prep academy, that was probably the one big misstep in this plan. I think the decision to offer it was reasonable, it had a backer offering funding and would have provided an alternative to students in the northern part of the district. However, timing is everything, and it wasn't the time to offer a new school in the face of another school closing.
Ultimately, you as parents need to decide what school (public, private or charter) is best for your child and your circumstances. However, as many of you berate the district for this decision to close DAMS, some of you are very insincere in your honesty. For instance, I know of at least one very vocal parent against the closing who full well planned all along to yank her child and send them to Pinnacle come high school. That parent has every right to make that decision, but convenience was the driving factor in that parent wanting to keep her child at DAMS, yet she was always going to make the drive to Pinnacle for high school.
Then there are the parents who don't even have children at DAMS yet. Some of you are talking as if your child will be destroyed by going to STMS for 2 years. I suggest you take some time to observe the campus and the classes at STMS. At least be a bit more knowledgeable about what you are talking about. I know of many DAMS parents (afraid to piss off the don't close DAMS parents) who are perfectly fine with their kids going to STMS. They were quite aware of the problems with class size that DAMS is having (as well as STMS now) and want teacher retention placed higher on the list than building retention.
We live less than 2 miles from CSHS and our bus stop is one of the first pick ups on the route,which then proceeds south to pick up more kids. My kids were on the bus for 45 minutes and we live less than 10 minutes from the school! Long bus rides are nothing new in this district.
ReplyDeleteTeachers from STMS applauded when they made the announcement? That shows how divided the district truly is. There is no victory in this because the ones who truly lose are the kids.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Debbi Burdick could care less.
God leadership, Debbi!
Wow.. I couldn't belive the nerve of those at the Board meeting that cheered and clapped at the vote to close DAMS. It was fine to have the opinion that the school should close --but very disrespectful, esp with so many DAMS students, parents and teachers in the room. I had no idea that those clapping were teachers from STMS.
ReplyDeleteAs a parent of a child who just finished 6th grade at DAMS, I agree that this district needs a wake up call for the middle school program. My kid had 40+ kids in many classes. This is outrageous. Are class sizes really going to get smaller with the 2 schools merging.. perhaps, but maybe only because I've heard 140+ kids are leaving the district. Great, so lower class sizes (?) and much less funding. Makes sense.. :(
I will also 2nd the comments about the DAMS teachers. With exceptions of course. we were wholly unimpressed by teaching staff this year. I too encountered attitude from some that was entirely inappropriate.
By the way, 7:19 AM - I believe Ms. Rodi will be teaching 6th grade at LMES --she told the kids she didn't want to teach 7th grade)
I also can confirm that those of us living less than 10 min from school had 45+ min rides home from school. Sounds like ineffective bus routing to me.
And why would they change SMTS's name? I thought this merger was going to cost "nothing". Nothing as in $30k to move the smart boards, nothing as to the unknown cost now to change the bus loop at STMS.. and nothing (?) when the name changes and the marquee has to be changed, the letterhead, website, PE uniforms.... and I'm supposed to trust and believe what the board/admin tells us.. OK.
Ann Orlando is a disgrace....if you only knew what went on behind the scenes during the sex scandal a few years ago....you would have ALL removed your kids from that school at the time....she should be ashamed of herself for how she handled the entire situation....
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Ann Orlando's leadership style was to sit in her office and let her teachers do whatever they want, which was partly the reason why the incident back in 2006-2007 happened. She never wanted to address any of the issues at DAMS. That backpack rule was ridiculous and ineffective. However, she was only one of the many problems with CCUSD, and her being let go didn't solve any of the district's problems.
ReplyDeleteI Ann Orlando was so bad, where was Dr. Burdick and Dr. Miller?? Then we should be asking where is our School Board?? We do not need anymore school members in Dr. Burdick's hip pocket. I would not vote for Ms. Reese, she is another "yes" person to Dr. Burdick. I would do whatever I could to get Mark, David and Casey out of there. They are only protecting whatever Dr. Burdick wants...they sold us all a bill of goods to get them voted in...and then sold their soul. We need some good choices for when they come up for re-election. Very Sad!
ReplyDeletei went to ccusd schools for 8 years and its absolutly pethatic. All they care about ia droppig the amount they have to spend every year.They dont give too shits about the students its all about saving a buck.Deffinitly discrace to even consider it a school district.
ReplyDelete