Congratulations Student Council!

Our student council leadership for next year:

PRESIDENT: COLLIN MILLER

VICE-PRESIDENT: ARIANNA HEIT

TREASURER: JOEY MAYNARD

SECRETARY: MADDIE HEYWOOD

Honoring Ms. Puetz

Our Pueblo teachers have decided an amazing way to honor their dear friend Terri Puetz, a Pueblo teacher who died earlier this year from cancer, would be to create an award in her honor.

One student from each 8th grade team was chosen. These students have demonstrated courage and a commitment to their education despite facing difficulties or troubled times.

Teachers throughout the school donated in Ms. Putez’s name and each student will be awarded $50.

Pueblo is an amazing place to be!

The Lynn Walker Character Award

The Lynn Walker Character Award was created by Mr. Rob Walker, a 8th grade Science teacher on the Tops Dawgs Team. A brief explanation from Mr. Walker:

My wife, Lynn Walker, passed away from breast cancer a little over 2 years ago.  I wanted to honor her and her legacy of education, altruism, and solid character so I created an award in her name that all 8th graders are eligible for... This is my way of keeping her name and legacy alive and it means a lot to me.

Pueblo students who apply, must write a one page report on “What is Character and Why is it Important”. The students themselves must exhibit good character. This is verified by obtaining the signatures of 2 of their current core teachers. A small panel of staff evaluates all entries and chooses the winners.

Those who receive this prestigious award are acknowledged at an assembly and presented with $50 cash. Mr. Walker personally provides part of the money as a tribute to his beloved Lynn (he has provided it all funding for the past 2 years) and this year PTO has donated $400 to help supplement the overall costs.

For the 2009-2010 school year, we have 16 winners out of 31 applicants. An assembly will be held on Thursday, May 13th at 6:30 in Pueblo’s gymnasium.

Kyrene 2010 and Beyond Forum Q&As

Frequently Asked Questions From Budget Forums

Explanation: The goal of sharing and posting these FAQ’s is to provide factual and accurate information about the budget challenges facing the school district and plans to provide for a prosperous future.  The questions below have emerged from the first two forums (entitled Kyrene 2010 and Beyond) that were recently held.

1. Why are some Kyrene teachers being told that they may not have a job next year?

Due to the current economic climate, The Arizona Legislature passed an 8 percent cut to education funding.  Governor Brewer proposed a temporary sales tax increase to close the current budget shortfalls.  This measure will be on the ballot May 18, 2010.

Arizona State law requires that teachers must be notified if they are not receiving a contract by April 15^th.  Not knowing the outcome of the temporary one cent sales tax vote, school districts across the state, including Kyrene, have had to prepare for the worst, which is a 12 million dollar deficit in our budget.

2. Last year the same thing happened (referred to as RIF, which stands for Reduction in Force) and then most of the teachers ended up being called back.  Will the same thing happen again this year?

If, during the May 18th election, voters approve the one cent sales tax, most of the teachers laid off in April will be offered jobs in May because the cost saving measures to balance the worst case budget scenario will not be needed.

3. What kind of cost-cutting measures can teachers and parents expect?

We have developed two budget plans (A and B) for what will happen with or without the sales tax passage.  Plan A calls for increased efficiencies and minor changes that along with past conservative budgeting will allow the district to manage the 6 million dollar deficit called for.  Plan B calls for increased class sizes and compensation reductions for all employee groups, in addition to the above to manage the 12 million dollar deficit that would result from decreased educational funding without the sales tax passage.

4. How is it that Kyrene can manage the Plan A deficit without major changes to programs in the district?

Kyrene deliberately implemented conservative fiscal management over a number of years by pre-paying allowable expenses and saving as much money as the law allows.  This is the same idea as a family budget plan where debt is kept to a minimum and expenses are not allowed to exceed income. The good news is that Kyrene is at the top in the State when it comes to putting money into the classroom and is at the bottom of the state with how much money it spends on administration.

5. Are cuts to programs like art, music, physical education, library and other special areas planned?

No.  These programs are considered to be an integral part of the educational program provided for all students.

6. Will any other programs be cut?

State funding for programs like Middle School Resource Officers has been cut and the State will only be funding 20% of what they normally provide for Soft Capital, which is how we buy our supplies and books.  There may be other reductions from the State that will force additional changes to programs.

7. If the temporary one cent sales tax doesn’t pass, will teachers be the only ones affected?

No.  With a 12 million dollar deficit in the Kyrene budget, the district will have to make unprecedented changes.   Parents will most notice a change in class size.  It’s anticipated that the average increase will be 3 more students per classroom.  This impacts teachers and students in many ways.  Additionally, overall compensation for administration, teachers, and support staff will be reduced. 

8. With the budget challenges, why does Kyrene plan to continue offering free Full Day Kindergarten when the state has pulled the funding?

This decision is for the 2010-2011 school year.  The learning needs and welfare of students is the primary consideration in any decision that gets made in the Kyrene School District and offering the program is clearly in their best interests.  In addition, the future of the entire district is at stake as we are funded by enrollment numbers and surrounding districts offering the program would likely see an influx of kindergarten students who reside in Kyrene boundaries. 

9. What new programs are planned and why?

Three innovative programs are planned because of their appeal to families and because they are nearly cost neutral to implement.  As a district located in mostly built-out neighborhoods, we have gradually declining enrollment, so with the additions of the Dual Language Program, Leadership Academy and Accelerated College Preparatory Academy we hope to encourage more students to stay in or to choose Kyrene schools.  More specific information about locations and timelines will be shared in the near future.

10. Why isn’t the school district doing more to tell people how they should vote on May 18th (the date of the election for proposition 100 for the sales tax)?

As a public school district, we are governed by certain laws that prohibit us from using public resources to influence the outcome of an election.  However, we can provide factual information regarding the impact on schools should the vote pass or not pass (below). 

• Why will there be a temporary one cent sales tax increase on the May 18th ballot?

It is to raise revenue for public safety, health and human services, and public education (K-12 and colleges and universities).

• How long will the sales tax increase be in effect?

The increase will be in effect for three years, expiring May 31, 2013.

• How will the monies raised from the increase be distributed?

Two-thirds of the revenues raised will be allocated to Public Education; one-third of the revenues raised will be allocated to Public Safety and Health & Human Services.

• Of the monies allocated to public education, how much goes to
  K-12 the first year?

Approximately $429 million will go to K-12 public education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010.

• Is this $429 million for K-12 public education considered to be new money for schools?

No. These monies will help cover the state’s budget shortfall. Without it, we will see further cuts to education funding.

• What is the impact to school districts if the one cent sales tax increase ballot measure does not pass?

If the ballot measure does not pass, there will be a significant impact on funding for education.  This lack of additional revenue from the State would almost double the Kyrene budget deficit to $11.8M. At that point, Kyrene would have to implement more drastic measures like increased class sizes, employee pay reductions, and changes to programs.

• Why is it that school districts don’t advocate for the community to vote one way or another? What are the rules that govern elections and determine appropriate and inappropriate uses of district resources and staff? 

1)  Employees can engage in political activities, including campaigning during off hours, as private citizens (during non-duty time, while off of school district property). Employees must not represent that they are acting on behalf of the school district while engaged in activities to influence the outcome of an election.

2) Employees may express their opinions or preference on elections while off of school district property and outside of work role.

3) Employees may have bumper stickers, etc. on their private vehicles while the vehicle is parked in a parking lot owned by the district.

4)  The use of district equipment, supplies, materials, buildings, or other resources to influence the outcome of any election is not permitted. This includes the use of district e-mail, district public address system, etc.

5)  The collection of campaign funds, the solicitation of campaign workers, and/or the solicitation of signatures may not be done during work time or on school district property.

 

*All information was taken directly from Kyrene’s Website:

http://www.kyrene.org/budget/ForumQ&As.htm 

The next Community & Employee Forum:

WEDNESDAY, April 21st 6:30pm @ Brisas Elementary

777 N Desert Breeze Blvd E #1, Chandler

Changes – They are A-Comin’

One HUGE concern on parent’s minds are the massive budget cuts for education. The Kyrene District has planned and prepared allowing us to absorb some of the initial blows that have come our way. Therefore, war are in a far better position than most districts.

BUT CHANGES ARE AHEAD!

We, as your PTO Board, feel that our parents need to be informed about upcoming ballot items and how they will affect our children. You will see many items over the next few weeks posted to our blog that will lead you to areas where you can find reliable information about what changes to expect. It is not our intention to sway you in anyway – but to inform you so that you can make educated decisions and be prepared for what lies ahead.

I would encourage each of you to go to the district website regularly and read through all of the information as it is updated frequently.  KYRENE BUDGET PAGE

Please notice that 2 budget scenarios have been presented. By going to the above website you will find a link “Budget strategy on staffing and compensation variables”. This link shows what will happen within Kyrene in the very near future.

We WILL face cutbacks – either way.

Budget Scenario A shows the proposed budget WITH the Sales Tax Increase (Prop 100). You will notice that WITH the increase Kyrene will have a DEFICIT of  $6 million.

Budget Scenario B shows the proposed budget WITHOUT the Sales Tax Increase (Prop 100). The deficit for Kyrene WITHOUT this increase will be $11.8 million.

Proposition 100 is a 1% sales tax initiative (not to include food items) that will be voted on STATEWIDE, on May 18th. Request an early ballot (that can easily be mailed in or dropped off that day) online with just your driver’s license number here: EARLY BALLOT REGISTRATION

There are many groups out there that are working hard to prevent or minimize continued decreases in educational funding. These groups send out emails that will help keep you informed and offer you opportunities to help make a difference.

Because we are limited to what can and can’t be shared in order to remain neutral in all issues, we must encourage you to find out on your own what can be done to support education in Arizona. We can however advocate for any issues we deem important from our own personal email/telephone numbers.

Let’s continue to make a difference!

-Tammy Schick

You are welcome to contact us anytime via the PTO email address: Pueblo-PTO@hotmail.com or feel free to contact me on my personal address: tammyschick@cox.net

Changes to Kyrene’s Budget

Impact of the Arizona Budget on Public Education
Perspective of Kyrene Elementary, Tempe Elementary and Tempe Union High School Districts
Sponsored By The Parent Network

Tuesday, April 20
6 pm - 8 pm
Compadre High School
500 W. Guadalupe Rd; Tempe;85283

A brief overview of the 1% sales tax measure (on the May 18 ballot) will be given, along with possible affects this tax could have on our students in Tempe & Kyrene Elementary and Tempe Union High School District

Special Guests:
Dr. Tate of Tempe Elementary District
Dr. Schauer of Kyrene Elementary District
Mr. Adolph of Tempe Union High School District

& A representative from Arizona Education Network

QUESTIONS: Sandy Lowe 480-961-0388

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Kyrene 2010 and Beyond:  Community & Employee Forums start this week

http://www.kyrene.org/budget/

The Kyrene School District is holding a series of open meetings for staff, parents and community members.  Superintendent Dr. David Schauer will share not only budget planning information, but more importantly his innovative plans and vision for the future of Kyrene. This will be followed by a question and answer segment.  Multiple opportunities are available for those interested to attend as noted in the table which includes locations and times. For more information about the budget process or to provide a suggestion, go to www.kyrene.org/budget.  

Wed	4/7	9:30 AM	Kyrene School District Office	8700 S Kyrene Road, Tempe
Mon	4/12	4:00 PM	C.I. Waggoner Elementary	1050 E. Carver Road, Tempe
Wed	4/21	6:30 PM	Kyrene de las Brisas Elementary	777 N. Desert Breeze Blvd E. #1, Chandler
Mon	4/26	3:30 PM	Kyrene de las Lomas Elementary	11820 S. Warner-Elliot Loop, Phoenix
Thurs	4/29	6:00 PM	Kyrene School District Office	8700 S Kyrene Road, Tempe
Tues	5/4	1:30 PM	Kyrene de los Cerritos Elementary	14620 S. Desert Foothills Pkwy, Phoenix
Thurs	5/6	6:00 PM	Kyrene de los Lagos Elementary	17001 S. 34th Way, Phoenix
Mon	5/10	3:30 PM	Kyrene de la Esperanza	14841 S. 41st Place, Phoenix
Wed	5/12	10:00 AM	Kyrene School District Office	8700 S Kyrene Road, Tempe

Tempe Elementary Community & Employee Forums http://www.tempeschools.org/news.cfm?story=1182

The District will also hold public forums Wednesday, March 31 and Wednesday, May 12, 2010 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the governing Board Room at the Sanchez Administration Building, 3205 S. Rural Road, the northeast corner of Rural Road and Southern Ave. After a short presentation on budget projections and options for the 2010-2011 school year, the community will be able to provide comments.

From the Kyrene Parent Network:

Impact of the Arizona

Budget on Public Education

Perspective of Kyrene Elementary, Tempe Elementary and Tempe Union High School Districts
Sponsored By The Parent Network

Parents and All Community Members Welcome!

A brief overview of the 1% sales tax measure (on the May 18 ballot) will be given, along with possible affects this tax could have on our students in Tempe & Kyrene Elementary and Tempe Union High School District

Special Guests:
Dr. Tate of Tempe Elementary District
Dr. Schauer of Kyrene Elementary District
Mr. Adolph of Tempe Union High School District   

Tuesday, April 20
6 pm - 8 pm
Compadre High School
500 W. Guadalupe Rd; Tempe;85283

Please Pass this Information On To Others!

If you are not on The Parent Network email list, please consider adding your name,  so you are not dependent on someone else forwarding this information to you. In the upcoming months we will be sharing important information about the May election as well as about upcoming legislative actions in regards to public education. 

To add your name or for questions,  contact Sandy Lowe at sandralowe@cox.net or 480-961-0388. We will not share your contact information and we will try to minimize the number of emails we send.