FUSD Considers Closing South Beaver Elementary
Preface: This article was originally written for a Public Affairs class on February 16, 2010. Today, the FUSD announced they would be delaying closure of South Beaver Elementary along with three other schools by 60 days. But it's only postponing the inevitable and feeding the tension between parents and teachers and the administration. (See: this article from the Arizona Daily Sun.)
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FUSD Board members listen to parents, teachers and children voice their concers at the February 6th meeting about rezoning and school closures.
Historic South Beaver Elementary will be celebrating its 75th anniversary this summer, that is, if the Flagstaff Unified School District doesn’t close the school as a cost-cutting measure.
The FUSD school board held a series of community forums in late January and early February at schools across Flagstaff to ask the public for input on how to deal with budget cuts at the state level.
South Beaver Elementary hosted one of those meetings on February 6. Parents and board members worked under tightly-wound emotions as proposals for imminent school closures were presented. Parents were worried when it became apparent that most of the elementary closure plans included their school.
“It’s going to be a situation that’s tragic,” said Mike Cromer, a teacher at South Beaver since 1976. “It’s going to tear families apart. It’s going to displace children.”
Flag Firefighter Laid to Rest After 28 Years Service
Fire Department honor guard and pallbearers prepare to move McNeal's casket from fire engine to burial site at Flagstaff Citizen's Cemetary. (Photo: Kyle Anderson/NAZ Today)
FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today) - By: Kyle Anderson - Friday morning’s stormy weather only reflected the mood of the Flagstaff Fire Department as firefighter Mark McNeal was remembered in a funeral service at Christ’s Church of Flagstaff. But mother nature was wise; rains almost instantly paused for the procession of fire, police and personal vehicles between service and burial.
The memorial service at Christ’s Church was well attended by friends, family and members of the community as well as fire department color and honor guards dressed in formal uniform. McNeal’s casket was transported to its final resting place at Flagstaff Citizen’s Cemetary by fire engine.
“It was a great send-off for Mark,” said Flagstaff Fire Department captain Mark Johnson. “I felt like we honored him very well.”
Local Non-Profits Receive $600k in Grants
Members of FCF and collaborating organizations after the grant ceremony Friday. (Photo: Kyle Anderson/NAZ Today)
FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today) - It was a solid half hour program where almost every audience member received a cash prize. This sounds like the perfect game show, but prizes won by this audience will arguably be used for a more philanthropic purpose.
The Flagstaff Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Arizona Community Foundation, awarded $600 thousand to local non-profit organizations, from social and educational services to youth and medical care programs. The 12th annual grant presentation was held this morning at the Coconino Center for the Arts.
“We had over 100 organizations recognized with over 250 checks, which is quite an accomplishment in itself,” said Mark Lamberson, Chairman of Flagstaff Community Foundation’s Advisory Board.