In this era of increased global
networking, I am pleased to note the many ways in which TUSD is working collaboratively
with colleagues and the community for the benefit of our school district. It does indeed
"take a village" to provide the kinds of opportunities that will enable our
students to realize the ideals of the Profile of the 21st Century Graduate.
We should all take pride in the fact that Dr. Stan Paz was invited by President Bush to
participate in a 12-person roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C., earlier this month
to address educational issues at the state and national levels. It certainly is gratifying
to know that word of our Superintendent's excellent leadership qualities has reached the
nation's capital!
TUSD's participation in the Pima County School Board/Superintendent Collaborative is
another example of our commitment to intergovernmental cooperation among city, county,
state and federal decision-makers. At the February meeting, the Governing Board approved
the Collaborative's Legislative Agenda 2001, which includes special education funding and
a call to change the current law that applies to possession of a loaded gun on campus.
Speaking of this month's meeting, we were delighted to welcome Lisa Graham Keegan,
Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who graciously acknowledged her recent
error in reporting TUSD's budget surplus.
Although we all were delighted with Keegan's visit, it was Financial Services Executive
Director Roland Carranza who benefited most directly by collecting on Keegan's promise to
take him to dinner if her numbers turned out to be incorrect!
February's meeting both celebrated recent district successes and highlighted challenges
still to be addressed. Congratulations to University High School's Academic Decathlon
Team, which took first place in the regional competition.
Kudos also to Ft. Lowell Principal Andrew
Kent for leading his staff toward professional excellence, and to TUSD's new Director of
Financial Services Technical Support, Patricia Beatty.
A presentation by Lorrane McPherson outlined the process that will be used to develop
an expanded 2001-2002 academic calendar and future calendars, in compliance with
Proposition 301. Board members were pleased that such a difficult task was designed to be
inclusive of all affected members of the school community.
As TUSD once again commemorates La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, I am pleased to be part of
an educational community dedicated to celebrating Tucson's unique cultural heritage and to
recognizing the value of diversity in all its forms. I hope you all enjoyed Rodeo Recess!
Carolyn Kemmeries
Board Report
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