Other News

Globe Unified School District: The Budget Crunch, by Ted Lake

Elsewhere in Arizona, the news is not good. Because of budget cuts in the Arizona State Government , some 4,700 teachers state- wide have been given pink slips and put on notice they may not be rehired due to budget short falls. In addition, our State Government actually ran out of money on April 15 and the Arizona Treasurer resorted to borrowing $340 million for 30 days to keep things afloat. Officials of Globe Unified School District, for several months, have been going over the various budgets to try to deal with the challenges from the State Government. During an earlier school board work session, Dr. Timothy Trent, School Superintendent, said the Globe Unified School District was looking at an approximate loss of $700,000. He noted that expected federal stimulus money would be in the amount of $804,000, and this would will be used to back-fill to the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 school years. He went on to say that reductions in the district's budget are expected to be attained through the attrition of staff, 13 emergency- certified and long-term substitute teachers in positions that will not be filled. There will also be reassignment of some staff. members and no layoffs were anticipated in the Globe Unified School District. Then, during the regular school board meeting last Wednesday (April 15), Trent had more to say about the 2009-2010 District budget. His recommendation was to reduce the budget by at least one million dollars which allows for a cushion. The loss of excess utilities, decreased student enrollment, an almost 7% loss totaling $450,000, a decreased level of support from Proposition 301 money. The Globe school official said the $450,000 is the approximate loss after stimulus money is used to back-fill the budget.

Law Makers To Help School Consolidation, by Ted Lake

Three state law makers offered their support in the consolidating efforts of the Globe-Miami school districts, providing this is what the community wants. Basically, this is what State Sena- Law Makers To Help School Consolidation by Ted Lake teddlake@yahoo.com tor Sylvia Allen (R District #5), and Representatives Bill Konopnicki (R District #5) and Rich Crandall (R District #19) all said during a recent work session of the Globe School Board. Mickie Nye, of the Globe-Miami Consolidation Review Committee, who introduced the state lawmakers, said his group has met several times and has heard very few concerns against the idea of consolidating the two local school districts. Representative Crandall states the legislators were willing to establish benchmarks and to help in providing support at whatever level everyone was comfortable. Crandall said he believes consolidating the two local school districts would provide opportunities for the students which rival those offered in larger school districts.

Purple Rain Baton Twirlers Take First Place, by Susan K.

The Purple Rain Baton Twirlers won fi rst place in the parade held on Friday at the "Boom Town Spree" The group has been together for a couple of months and were ready to put on a show! They will be featured in parades and events throughout the year in: Globe, Miami, Ahwatukee, Mesa, Apache Junction, Scottsdale, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler and other surrounding cities, including application into the 2010 Fiesta Bowl Parade, held in downtown Phoenix. Purple Rain Twirlers consists of boy and girl twirlers from Globe, Miami, Mesa, and Apache Junction. Twirlers range in age and skill level . All ages are welcome to join. Purple Rain meets at Destiny Elementary School each Thursday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. For application and registration information, contact Rosemary Crawford at rosemarycrawford@cox. net or (480) 229-0526.

College Prep Academy Open House

Please mark your calendars!!!!!!!!!! On Thursday, April 23, 2009 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm we will be hosting our 4th quarter open house for all CPA magnet students and their families. This is an opportunity for you to see the work and activities that your child has been working on throughout the quarter. It is also an opportunity for potential students to see what types of learning experiences are available to them in the CPA magnet program. We will be providing light refreshments. Our evening will begin with a presentation and discussion of the curriculum experiences that have been implemented this quarter as well as the units of study that will be utilized next school year. We will then move into the classrooms, where you will see samples of student work. We hope to see you all there this coming Thursday night!!!