Other News July 1, 2009

Globe School Superintendent Under Fire, By Susan K

Photo by Susan K.: It was a packed emotional school board meeting with some 100 in attendance with both supporters and opponents of the current Globe School District Administration. Numerous members of the community took the podium to speak for or against the Superintendent. Allegations/complaints over the management of the school district's finances, time, and personnel were met with reminders of efforts and accomplishments. Many felt that placing the Superintendent on leave while he was away on a 3 week vacation in Europe was not the right thing to do. Others argued that considering the current crisis the district was in, taking a three week vacation was not the right thing to do. In any case, Cayci Vuksanovich, the Globe School Board President, said, "We can't wait. We're under a deadline." Apparently the Board had been startled by a 90-day letter from the state threatening receivership over financial issues. The board took two executive sessions to seek legal council. Vuksanovich said that among their concerns were 1) "the overspending of the budget by $123,675 that we did not know about until last week." 2) "Grant funds in the amount of $900,000, give or take, that have not been drawn down from the state." 3) "A 90 day letter to the district from the state threatening receivership." She and other board members feared that even despite their current action, the state could still take over, and might have their hands in everything for a long time. Finally, Board Member Frankie Dalmolin made a resolution, alleging four concerns: 1) the financial health of the district, 2) the governing board not being fully informed about recent financial problems, 3) what appears to be high rate of personnel turnover in the district, and 4) hiring of certain personnel [consultants?] and their compensation not fully disclosed. He moved that "the superintendent is placed on home assignment effective upon his return from vacation. The supervisor of Facilities is place on home assignment effective immediately." Jennifer Kanard will be temporary Chief Administrative Officer until July 7, and then Dr. Ron Nelson will appoint a temporary CAO. "...All employees ... are directed not to discuss with the superintendent or supervisor of facility any information related to district business, ...[but] this ... does not prohibit social or peer personal communications. The superintendent and supervisor of facilities are directed not to come on onto district property until further notice except to turn in their keys...... [except for] events on district property that are otherwise open to the public." The CAO, with legal counsel, is to arrange an informal audit concerning 1) the district finances 2) any 90 day letters from the auditor general regarding overspending 3) cash management reports 4)drawdown of grants 5) personnel hiring, 2008 and 2009, especially independent contractors and consultants, 6) a review of board minutes regarding the proper hiring and promotion of administrative personnel during Con’t from page 1the last three school years. 7) staff turnover for at least the last two fiscal years, and reasons for it. "This action taken is not to be considered disciplinary. The purpose of the board's actions is to allow for time to address the board's concerns ... We believe that temporarily reassigning the superintendent and supervisor of facilities will give us the ability to address our concerns and have our questions by an independent auditor or auditors without attempting to influence that investigation and review..." Dalmolin’s motion was passed 4 to 1 placing Dr. Timothy Trent and Supervisor of Facilities John Marquez on home assignment pending further investigation. There were applause and cheers, and disappointment and tears, as the nearly 100 community members in attendance left the meeting.

US 60 Paving Project Begins Monday

Officials of the Arizona Department of Transportation say a repaving project on U.S.60 northeast of Globe will begin on Monday July 6. The work involves repaving 7.8 miles of US 60 west of the Salt River Canyon from Timber Mountain to Seneca. A layer of pavement will be removed from the roadway surface and a new layer of pavement plus a layer of rubberized asphalt will be applied. Work hours will be 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. One lane of the highway will be open with vehicles allowed to pass through the work zone in alternating directions. Drivers should anticipate delays of 20 to 30 minutes. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-August. ADOT advises drivers to proceed with caution, obey all posted speed limit signs and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Survey:San Carlos Problems, By Ed Kuehneman

CCN: A Small Survey of Peridot / San Carlos: Topics: Is it a problem? BAD!: Problem: Not much: Car wrecks...............................40%........40%............20% transportation...........................50%........40%............5%* poverty.....................................75%........20%............0% gambling..................................65%........20%............15% hospital/medical.......................45%........35%........... 10%* air pollution from mines..........30%........20%............45%* not enough jobs........................85%.......10%.............5% parents not caring for kids.......70%........30%............0% leaders taking money...............80%........10%............0%* police not doing enough..........65%........35%............0% litter..........................................85%........15%............0% drinking....................................90%........15%............0% suicide..................................... 70%........25%............0%* violence....................................75%........20%...........0%* drugs.........................................85%.......15%............0% telephone service......................5%.........55%............40% kids need more to do............. 75%.........20%............0%* (* means 5-10% “no response”) (On part 2, more than one answer could be chosen:) The reservation would be better with... more traditional ways 35%; more Christians 40%; less religion 5%; it’s fine, now 25% The Resolution Mine near Superior ... should close down 5%; should hire Apaches 71%; is none of our business 24% The Chairman SHOULD speak for ... himself, 9%; all of us, 70%; traditional Apaches, 13%; just be quiet, 9% Our Chairman speaks for ... himself, 65%; all of us, 25%; traditional Apaches, 20%; is quiet, 5% As a place to live, Peridot / San Carlos is ... wonderful 25%;a good place but with problems 54%; a hard place 21% What should newspapers tell about the reservation? nothing 0%; both good and bad 68%; good things 11%; more things 16%; less 5% Part 3, written answers: The worst problem here is ... (Most said drinking, drugs, or no jobs, economy.) The thing I like the most about this place is ... (Most said family, the land, recreation, or less taxes.) (On the "good place to live issue": Some explained it depended: in the "wilderness", or in a "quiet" area where neighbors look out for each other, it's great. In east downtown, with kids doing drugs, packs of wannabee boys wandering the evening, and drunks attacked viciously, it can be hard.) (On the "leaders taking money" problem), some were outraged last year when Chairman Nosie and the Council suddenly voted themselves a "raise," payable immediately. [Vice-Chairman Reede resisted the scheme.] Why did some remain in office, despite the scandal? 1) Often the Apache vote is divided among so many candidates, that a candidate with relatives and a well-known name, has a good chance of getting back in. 2) Charirman Nosie and others were not up for election last year.)