Rock the District – Saturday Nov 20th 2010 4pm – 7pm el Pedgregal at The Boulders

 

A Benefit Concert showcasing hot local teenage music talent –

Ticket proceeds will go to the Cave Creek Unified School District Music Programs

The upcoming Second Annual “Rock the District” concert will again be held at the El Pedregal open air theater on Saturday November 20th, from 4 pm to 7pm. The event will showcase a very dynamic group of talented teen performers in the 6^th through 12^th grades, who will express their love for music by sharing their vocal talent and playing their instruments. They’ll offer performances in a variety of capacities; some as solo vocalists, others will offer vocal with acoustic guitar, vocal self accompanied with piano, and 4 ‘rock star quality’ teen bands. The event will also offer a Holiday Shopping booth area where local businesses will support the event and showcase their products for sale.

The purpose of the event is three-fold:

1. To raise awareness of the importance of music education for young people – how access to music education plays a significant role in development of a child’s self confidence, determination and discipline
2. To provide a venue for talented teenagers in the Cave Creek area to perform in front of large crowds, showcasing their talent, being recognized, and sharing their personal heartfelt message and purpose
3. To raise money to help defray the expenses associated with the music education programs at the Cave Creek Unified School District Music.

Visit www.rockthedistrict.net for details or to donate to the cause.

 

Cactus Shadows IB students host education policy forum for community leaders, October 11th at 6:00PM

The Cactus Shadows High School International Baccalaureate 2011 Diploma Candidates are hosting a community forum to discuss educational issues and policy on October 11, 2010 at the Cave Creek Fine Arts Center, 33606 North 60th Street, Scottsdale, 85262.

Panelists include State Representative Nancy Barto (R), Mayors David Schwan (Carefree) and Vincent Francia (Cave Creek), former Cactus Shadows principal Sid Bailey, LearnYes PAC Chairman Steve Hart, Candidate for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction (D) Penny Kotterman, Candidate for District Seven State Representative, Heather Carter, community member Arch McGill, and IB student Johann Beishline.

The forum will be moderated by IB student Alyssa Lee and CCUSD Superintendent, Dr. Debbi Burdick. The forum begins at 6:00 PM with a reception to follow at 7:30.

Contact faculty advisor Erinn Moriarty Ferris for more information at eferris@ccusd93.org or at (480) 575-2466.

Janet Busbee withdraws from CCUSD Governing Board Race

From the Scottsdale Republic:

Click to Enlarge

Bond money a boost to schools, taxpayers

Our Turn by David Schaefer and Mark Warren

This was published in the Scottsdale Republic Friday, August 27, 2010.

Click to Enlarge

Reposted with permission.

Teacher’s Association Endorses Two Governing Board Candidates

August 20, 2010 — Yesterday, the Executive Board of the Cave Creek Education Association (CCEA) announced their endorsement of Stephanie Reese and Kari Workman for Governing Board. The elections are in November and there are two seats available.

The CCEA is the teachers association in the Cave Creek Unified School District. This is the first time the association has endorsed governing board candidates.

Of the four candidates running for office, three returned questionnaires sent out earlier this month by CCEA. A committee of Board Members reviewed the questionnaires and invited candidates to a question and answer session.

The committee based their selection of Reese and Workman on the answers to their questionnaires and the follow-up information from the question and answer session.

“The upcoming elections are very important. Some of the current board members have been divisive and, as a result, it has been difficult for the board to overcome the challenges facing our district. These two candidates are particularly strong and have the educational experience and work ethic to bring our district and community together,” said Mike Covert, CCEA President.

The election will be held on November 2, 2010.

School closure stressful, worthwhile

From Scottsdale Republic Editorial Board, May 22nd

Prop 100 Early Voters: Check Status of Your Early/Mail-in Ballot

You can check the status of your early/mail ballot for Prop 100 (May 18th Special Election) at the Maricopa County Recorder’s Website.

All you need is your AZ drivers license OR voter ID and date of birth.

Ensure that your vote will count in this important special election:

CLICK HERE TO CHECK YOUR MAIL-IN BALLOT STATUS

Attention mail voters: Ballots must be postmarked by THIS FRIDAY, MAY 14TH, TO BE COUNTED IN THIS ELECTION.
If you miss the mail date, you can still drop your mail ballots off at ANY polling site next Tuesday, May 18th. Polls are open 6:00am to 7:00 PM. No waiting, just walk right in and drop your ballot in the early ballot collection box!

Cave Creek Unified Budget Impact of Prop 100:
YES Vote = $369 cut per CCUSD student for 10-11 school year
NO vote = $784 cut per CCUSD student for 10-11 school year

Homeowner’s Associations, Campaign Signs and AZ Law

A CCSOS member and Phoenix resident writes “My Homeowner’s Association (HOA) sent me a letter telling me to take down my Vote Yes on Prop 100 sign.”

Homeowner's Associations are limited in their regulation of campaign signs by Arizona statute.

Here is an excerpt of the Arizona statute relative to campaign signs on private property, § ARS 33-1808:

“Notwithstanding any provision in the community documents, an association shall not prohibit the indoor or outdoor display of a political sign by an association member on that member’s property, except that an association may prohibit the display of political signs earlier than forty-five days before the day of an election and later than seven days after an election day. An association may regulate the size and number of political signs that may be placed on a member’s property if the association’s regulation is no more restrictive than any applicable city, town or county ordinance that regulates the size and number of political signs on residential property. If the city, town or county in which the property is located does not regulate the size and number of political signs on residential property, the association shall permit at least one political sign with the maximum dimensions of twenty-four inches by twenty-four inches on a member’s property. For the purposes of this subsection, “political sign” means a sign that attempts to influence the outcome of an election, including supporting or opposing the recall of a public officer or supporting or opposing the circulation of a petition for a ballot measure, question or proposition or the recall of a public officer.”

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So what does that mean in plain English?

The basic guidelines for lawful display of campaign signs on private property within HOA’s are:

1. Homeowner’s associations can ONLY be as restrictive as their own city/town/county regulations. CCUSD happens to span 4 jurisdictions (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Carefree and Cave Creek), so these regulations vary within our 175 square-mile district.
2. Be sure your sign is less than 24 x 24 inches. Most campaign “yard signs” are  18 x 24 inches.
3. Place yard signs no earlier than 45 days before an election, and be sure to remove your sign/s within 7 days after the election.

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Thank you, Arizona, for allowing property owners to display campaign signs within reasonable limits within an HOA.

Thank you also to our neighbors and fellow CCUSD taxpayers in Terravita that fought to defend the right to display Old Glory on private property within a Homeowner’s Association as addressed in the same AZ statute, passed in 2002.

Election day for Prop 100 is Next Tuesday, May 18th. VOTE.

Encouraging Update from CCSOS Member: “My HOA called me today to tell me that they were in the wrong and to feel free to put my sign back up. She said she was calling a list of people to tell the same. Victory!”

CCUSD All-Day Kindergarten, Desert Arroyo and Prop 100

Board to discuss and vote on All-Day Kindergarten this Tuesday

The Cave Creek Unified School District Governing Board will be making a decision on All-Day Kindergarten on Tuesday, April 27th. See page 72 of Board Packet

The choices are:

1. Do not offer all-day K, half-day Kindergarten instruction only
2. Offer full-day K and absorb the cost, since the Legislature cut state funding for the second, half-day
3. Offer a second, half-day of instruction as a tuition-based program

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Governing boards of surrounding school districts have already made their decisions:

Deer Valley Unified = Tuition-based full-day Kindergarten offered at $235 per month
https://www.dvusd.org/pages_news_achievements/full-day-k-option-2010.html

Scottsdale Unified = FREE All-Day Kindergarten
http://susd.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=143602&sessionid=494

Paradise Valley Unified = FREE All-Day Kindergarten
http://cmweb.pvschools.net/siteweb/freeKindergarten.htm

During recent budget forums, CCUSD administration calculated that the second, half-day of Kindergarten could be offered through Community Education for a fee of $120/month. This would preserve the same K teachers and full-day curriculum, just a different funding source via tuition and administer payment through Community Ed. Although this option did not make the board packet as an official recommendation, it was discussed by administration as part of the budget process and is sure to come up during the board discussion on Tuesday.

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Do past election outcomes play a factor in Governing Board decisions on All Day K funding?

It appears so…

Deer Valley Unified = March 2010 M&O Combined 15% Override FAILED

Scottsdale Unified = November 2009 K-3 Override PASSED

Paradise Valley Unified = November 2008 K-3 Override PASSED; 2009 M&O Override PASSED

Cave Creek Unified = K-3 Override FAILED
(twice, Nov 08 and Nov 09)

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What is the CCUSD Administration recommending?

CCUSD Administration is recommending continuation of FREE All Day Kindergarten.

The reasoning for any school district to offer Full Day Kindergarten is compelling, regardless of budget numbers. However, Arizona has only offered FREE ADK for 4 years before repealing it, and CCUSD voters have said NO twice to supplemental funding for K-3. This places CCUSD in a precarious position, since next year, 1/3 of K-3 override funding will be eliminated along with state funding for All Day Kindergarten.

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Desert Arroyo Closure vote is May 18th, coincides with Prop 100 vote

Contrary to the budget-balancing potential of closure, Desert Arroyo touts a 20-year history, a newly earned A+ rating and a location that is without-a-doubt-prime… walking distance to the wonderful new YMCA/Holland community center. Parents and area business owners have come to the board to express their opposition to Desert Arroyo closure. While many have stated that All-Day Kindergarten is the “lifeblood” of CCUSD, many have also stated that Desert Arroyo is the “heart and soul” of the foothills community and should be preserved at all costs.

While closure of Desert Arroyo and All Day Kindergarten are two separate and distinct budget issues, the board must take each into consideration as part of a total operating budget for 2010-11 and beyond.

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Impact of Prop 100 on CCUSD budget

CCUSD Administration has prepared dual-contingent budgets, or 4 budget options. First contingency is Prop 100 Pass/Fail, second contingency is Desert Arroyo closure vs. preservation. Below is a chart that shows these four contingent budgets along with critical trigger points such as class size increases and furlough days:

Click to enlarge

We are fortunate to have an administration and governing board that have decided to stick with us through these difficult times. Continuity of service from district leadership is critically important at this time. CCSOS would like to thank both the CCUSD administration and the all-volunteer governing board for their efforts, attention and perseverance in this time of uncertainty.

Despite cutbacks, Cave Creek students remain focus of funding

My Turn by David Schaefer, published in the Scottsdale Republic, April 16.

(Click to enlarge)