On the Scene at the School Board Meeting

by David Safier Outside the District Building, about a hundred children and adults are waving signs and shouting, “Save our schools!” led by a bullhorn. Every TV station has its video truck parked outside. Inside the Board room, the seats are either filled or saved. “Stop School Closures” signs have been passed out to be … Read more

Tonight: Tucson School Closure Smackdown

by David Safier This is the big night for four Tucson elementary schools. According to the Star, “The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. today, but the closure portion is expected to start around 7:45 p.m., followed by boundary changes, if warranted. Public input won’t be taken.” The meeting is at Morrow Education Center, 1010 E. … Read more

Will Mandatory Recess Become the Law for Arizona Schools?

by David Safier On the one hand, a bill mandating recess in Arizona elementary schools not a big deal, because it’s such a no brainer. Who wouldn’t be for allowing children to have a run-around-and-laugh-out-loud break during the school day? But on the other hand, it’s a big deal, because many elementary school students don’t … Read more

The Dead, the University and the Pope

by David Safier This post is a bit of a stretch, but it’s Sunday, which is my Day of Stretch. Optional headline: Secular Meets Scholarly Meets Sacred. First, the Secular Meets Scholarly part. The Grateful Dead “will donate a cache of their papers, posters and props on Thursday to the University of California, Santa Cruz, … Read more

Crunch Time for Tucson School Closings

by David Safier Unless the TUSD School Board decides to “consider” the issue of school closings one more time, Tuesday should be the big night for Ochoa, Corbett, Wrightstown and Rogers elementary schools. The Board is scheduled to vote on the school closure issue at its 7pm meeting (1010 E. 10th St., for anyone interested … Read more