News
Sinagua students: 'It sucks'
Reaction is negative to a proposal to consolidate Flagstaff's 3 high schools to 2, with Sinagua closing.As sophomore Nathan Platero put it, "It sucks."
Sinagua High School students returned to class Monday with the news that the Sinagua they know might soon cease to exist as school district officials contemplate merging three high schools into two. Nathan, 15, doesn't want to leave the Continental-area school, which, like Flagstaff's other two high schools, lost students over the past year. He suggests trying to recruit students back to the city schools. Sinagua is what he knows.
Freshman Tyler Rumery said students like their school. He and his friends also said they were concerned about teachers losing their jobs.
"I think it's stupid. I think that there should be three schools in Flagstaff," said Tyler, 14.
Breana Payne, 14, said her brother attended Coconino, and that she is unsure that she would get along with the students there. And Flagstaff High School might just be too big for the freshman, who said she can walk down the halls at Sinagua and see about 30 people she knows in between classes.
"I don't think it's a great idea," she said. "The three schools kind of represent the three districts in Flagstaff."
SOME CLIQUES DON'T CLICK
Sophomore Kandice Littlefoot was "back and forth." She said a larger middle school would be a positive, but she also knows that students who live in the neighborhood would be affected by potentially having to attend a school up to four miles away from Sinagua.
And, she said, there are cliques. Though she doesn't necessarily agree with them, some students have preconceived notions of their cross-town peers: Coconino students might think Sinagua is for the rich "preps;" Sinagua students might cast aspersions on Coconino, which is in the lower-income Sunnyside area.
"Some of my classmates think that Coconino people won't like them because they're from Sinagua," said Kandice, 16.
Still, Kandice, who recently transferred from Greyhills Academy in Tuba City, was open-minded.
"I can adjust," she said.
DECLINING ENROLLMENT
Flagstaff Unified School District officials confirmed last week that they are considering consolidating high schools, going from three campuses to two, enlarged schools.
Declining enrollment was a driving force in the decision -- according to a student count taken in September, in the past year, FUSD's high school rolls dropped by 196 students, or a 5.1 percent loss in the 9-12 grade group. The districtwide K-12 loss was 274 students, an overall loss of 2.2 percent.
The Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board will begin discussing the proposal today at a work session. No decisions will be made.
If district officials decide to consolidate high schools, the Sinagua facility would be repurposed. Two main scenarios are on the table; either way, both high schools would enroll about 1,700 students:
Flagstaff High School students move from the current FHS campus on West Elm Avenue to the Sinagua campus, which would be renovated to accommodate the larger student body and given a new name (possibly Flagstaff High School).
Mount Elden Middle School students move from the current MEMS campus on North Fourth Street to the Sinagua campus; again, the school would be renamed. Puente de Hozho Elementary School, which is next door to MEMS, moves into the middle school campus.
In terms of head counts, Sinagua has 967 students. Flagstaff High School, has 1,442 students, and Coconino High School has 1,208. FUSD also operates two alternative programs for grades 7- 12.
Hillary Davis can be reached at 556-2261 or hdavis@azdailysun.com.
If you go...
WHAT: Work session meeting for the Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board
WHEN: Today, 4 p.m.
WHERE: District Administrative Center, 3285 E. Sparrow Ave.
WHY: To discuss the possibility of "closing" Sinagua High School
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Leave your comments below:
Dropout wrote on Oct 19, 2008 12:02 PM:
" I say good riddance. FUSD has been doing a terrible job governing not only their high schools, but their other schools as well. I am one of those students who did not re-enroll this year, and I think I am better off for it. The school district is too busy focusing on petty things like dress codes and sports, when they should be concentrating on why Arizona is next to last in the nation academics-wise. Perhaps if they have only two schools to deal with, they will have an easier time of it. "
Mona wrote on Oct 18, 2008 11:53 PM:
" To the mother who made the comment "SHS is a prep school and Coco is a sunnyside lower income school, but that really doesn't matter...." if it doesn't matter, why mention it. And there are alot of those preppy SHS students enrolled in Coco, why? They should be going to their own school and maybe SHS would not be in turmoil right now. Flagstaff always had Coco and FHS, that's the way it should have stayed. They are original. "
Now a Sun Devil wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:34 AM:
" In my opinion, merging the three high schools into two is a good idea. First of all, if student enrollment is down why keep wasting tax payer’s dollars just for sentimental reasons? Put the money to good use; strengthen the curriculum and make sure Flagstaff’s children are given every opportunity to succeed.
Secondly, I think the last of the concerns should be how the students will react. Yes, I was a student at Sinagua and yes, the rivalry between schools is bitter. However, I think that consolidating the schools may be a good way to teach the students some respect. To quote Some people, “. . .where you went to high school doesn’t meant much. The education you received to prepare for the future is the key”. Let the students fight it out (which I doubt they will). They need to learn that in the real world no one cares what clique you belonged to or what kind of clothes you wore. Some students may think it’s unfair, but in reality they have more important problems to be concerned with, like getting a good education. "
Secondly, I think the last of the concerns should be how the students will react. Yes, I was a student at Sinagua and yes, the rivalry between schools is bitter. However, I think that consolidating the schools may be a good way to teach the students some respect. To quote Some people, “. . .where you went to high school doesn’t meant much. The education you received to prepare for the future is the key”. Let the students fight it out (which I doubt they will). They need to learn that in the real world no one cares what clique you belonged to or what kind of clothes you wore. Some students may think it’s unfair, but in reality they have more important problems to be concerned with, like getting a good education. "
easy brown wrote on Oct 16, 2008 7:30 PM:
" if there is not enough money and not enough kids, well, easy decision.
brenna, you and your friends don't want to get up early, your gonna have tough life. also that measly million dollars you mentioned, some of it comes from my family, who sees me leave early for work everyday. i know your a little short on the wisdom right now, but really, you don't deserve anything for free. be grateful for what you have.
fhs student says they will all tear each other apart. huh putting kids from the same community together is a bad idea. maybe thats where we went wrong... "
brenna, you and your friends don't want to get up early, your gonna have tough life. also that measly million dollars you mentioned, some of it comes from my family, who sees me leave early for work everyday. i know your a little short on the wisdom right now, but really, you don't deserve anything for free. be grateful for what you have.
fhs student says they will all tear each other apart. huh putting kids from the same community together is a bad idea. maybe thats where we went wrong... "
Get literate wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:50 PM:
" It sucks? Have they dropped English usage from the agenda? Come on students. "
FHS student wrote on Oct 12, 2008 5:12 PM:
" leave us be .. we all like our own school and to get rid of one just for $$ is just messed up.
plus, think about it, you want to put the two BIGGEST rivals in the same building .. good idea. FHS and SHS will tear eachother apart. "
plus, think about it, you want to put the two BIGGEST rivals in the same building .. good idea. FHS and SHS will tear eachother apart. "
Some people wrote on Oct 11, 2008 8:28 PM:
" " Oh my, if some of these comments, obviously made by student, are a product of the education they are receiving, I vote to close any one of the schools tomorrow! Take the money saved and require students to take a basic course on how to write a paragraph! What a disgrace!
Yes, this is an emotional hot button for students, but within a year or two from graduating, where you went to high school doesn't mean much. The education you received to prepare for the future is the key.
Let's close the most expensive school to operate and put the savings toward improving the education these students are receiving. "
Wow, you make a comment about other people who have commented needing to take a course on writing a paragraph when you clearly need the help as well. Your comments are disjointed, you use commas like they're going out of style and you can't even keep your plural and singular straight. Excellent example you're setting for the young people. If we're lucky will you be teaching this paragraph writing course!
On topic, I rarely believe that closing a school like this would be the most beneficial thing. Hopefully the proper decision will be made, for the students! benefit. "
Yes, this is an emotional hot button for students, but within a year or two from graduating, where you went to high school doesn't mean much. The education you received to prepare for the future is the key.
Let's close the most expensive school to operate and put the savings toward improving the education these students are receiving. "
Wow, you make a comment about other people who have commented needing to take a course on writing a paragraph when you clearly need the help as well. Your comments are disjointed, you use commas like they're going out of style and you can't even keep your plural and singular straight. Excellent example you're setting for the young people. If we're lucky will you be teaching this paragraph writing course!
On topic, I rarely believe that closing a school like this would be the most beneficial thing. Hopefully the proper decision will be made, for the students! benefit. "
Former wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:10 PM:
" Can I just ask one question that I have always wanted to know as a former FUSD employee? Why does anyone that works in the district office get paid so much more than the employees in the schools? The individual school employees HAVE to work 110% harder than those in the district office and the district office employees are on a higher pay scale. Just wondering! Seems like the pay scale is scaled around prestige and location, instead of the actual work done! "
chartermom wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:49 AM:
" Whoever said that NPA should move into Sinagua, well, it's a nice idea. However, NPA is all about SMALL class sizes, and a small school environments. Moving into (and eventually filling) a large facility is not what is best for NPA. We send our kids there because of the smaller population and don't want it to get much bigger.
My kids did attend FUSD elementary schools and I wish only the best for the district. I think that if FUSD merges three schools into two, the corresponding increase in student population and class sizes will greatly diminish the quality of education available to the majority of Flagstaff teens. "
My kids did attend FUSD elementary schools and I wish only the best for the district. I think that if FUSD merges three schools into two, the corresponding increase in student population and class sizes will greatly diminish the quality of education available to the majority of Flagstaff teens. "
Flag resident wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:44 AM:
" I think FUSD has their priorities wrong, as they usually do. Anything that creates larger student populations within a building is going to decrease the quality of education. Should quality be a top priority?? If budget is an issue, clear out some of the top-heavy administration. So what if the facilities aren't being used in what you consider to be an optimal way (optimal as decided by people other that your clients: the citizens of Flagstaff)? What is important is educating our kids in the best way possible. And time and time again, citizens tell FUSD: it's about having smaller class sizes so kids can get some direct attention from a teacher. The teachers do their best but can't win when they have too many students. If you cram all the high school students into two facilities, you will create a suboptimal learning environment. "
Krystal M. wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:26 AM:
" Has any body ever though about talking to the students at Coconino High School? Im a junior at Coconino and just the other day I was pushed against the wall and lockers because there are to many people in the hall. Why do people want to put more students at Coconino if there is not enough room for the students that are already there? The school board needs to come to the schools and spend a little time in the hall ways during passing period, because they don’t see it from where the problem really is they just see it from their seats at their offices. You try getting through the halls at CHS then try telling me that we should still put more students there. It is so crowded that you basically have to push people to get to where you’re going. Students are late to class because they have to get to their locker, and the bathroom and get a drinks and then to class in 5 minutes. That is not enough time because there are to many people in the halls. Also it starts fights to. Some students get so annoyed by how many people are in the halls that they start pushing and shoving and that starts conflicts that become fights. "
Flag Local wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:55 PM:
" I totall agree with "Just a thought." The inability of the Sinagua students who have written here to construct a reasonably decent sentence is appalling, and if it is any indication of the quality of their education, I say close them all down and get a few teachers who know how to teach. Give these poor kids a fighting chance at success in the real world. "
student wrote on Oct 9, 2008 8:06 PM:
" Why is education the last priority on our country's list? If Arizona got proper funding we wouldn't even need to be discussing this. But since we are, it's flat out ridiculous to shut down one high school and merge it with the other two. Look past your shortsighted money obsession. Grow a brain along with a back bone and find some alternative funding. "
Just a thought wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:04 PM:
" Oh my, if some of these comments, obviously made by student, are a product of the education they are receiving, I vote to close any one of the schools tomorrow! Take the money saved and require students to take a basic course on how to write a paragraph! What a disgrace!
Yes, this is an emotional hot button for students, but within a year or two from graduating, where you went to high school doesn't mean much. The education you received to prepare for the future is the key.
Let's close the most expensive school to operate and put the savings toward improving the education these students are receiving. "
Yes, this is an emotional hot button for students, but within a year or two from graduating, where you went to high school doesn't mean much. The education you received to prepare for the future is the key.
Let's close the most expensive school to operate and put the savings toward improving the education these students are receiving. "
winsten dan wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:28 AM:
" flagstaff kinlani dorm as 300 hundred students there, why not have go to sinagua,
and sinagua will have and the same amount of students as FHS, 1,100 "
and sinagua will have and the same amount of students as FHS, 1,100 "
brenna wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:19 AM:
" im a senior at sinagua and being that they want to close sinagua down is just DOWN RIGHT hurtful to some of us here. you see kids that live near sinagua don't want to have to get up extra early just so that they have to go to coco or flag high. and being from the navajo reservation, i think that just because brown wants to save a measly 1 million dollars a year i s BULL!!! i mean let the kids have a say in it. don't let us hang by a thread and go " oh! i guess they are being stupid and want us to go to the other schools." why don't they shut down flag high because that is the OLDEST school and keep singaua and coco open! and the seniors here: they DON'T WANT TO BE THE LAST GRADUATING CLASS OF SINAGUA!!!!!!!!!! "
Native wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:00 PM:
" Have any of the school officials considered addressing the REAL problem, which is the declining enrollment? Are families moving to other cities in search of better high schools? Or does it have to do with our ridiculous cost of living? Is it the management of our school system? Whatever it may be, I have to wonder if they are even considering the root cause(s). "
too much admin wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:33 PM:
" A big shout out to "A Proud Flag High Employee and Sinagua Parent!" Thank you for the points you made. Which brings to light another idea.... how about the administration moving out of their building and sharing space at Sinagua? Perhaps Gore could purchase the space on Sparrow. "
mom in flag wrote on Oct 8, 2008 1:41 PM:
" Why do we have so many assistants, Executive Assistant, Assistant Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Operations. Maybe it the administartion that should be cut down to save money. If it was CHS or FHS would people still be as mad? I feel that there are good teachers at all three schools, maybe middle school should go through 9th grade that could help with some of the over crowding. We can keep teachers by splitting classes, this can also help teachers with full classes to help kids more on one on ones, or making 6 periods. My high school had 6 periods and we went until 3:00, so i am not sure why kids get out at 2:30???? Yes, I have heard that SHS is a prep school, and CHS is a Sunnyside lower income, which doesn't matter, we as parents need to teach our kids to reach for the stars and support our teachers. Has anyone asked the teachers how they feel about this? "
pat sinagua parent wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:59 AM:
" Why did such a sensational article get published? Where's the cost analysis? Where the dollars to maintain FHS vs. Sinagua?
Where's decent journalism with facts and information that educates the people? Please get the facts behind the scenes researched and out to the public!
What about the "name game", wouldn't wise leaders want the name to be based upon creating cohesion and unity? (by the way, How about two high schools that integrate 7-12 grades? )
Talk about adversarial attitudes leaching through the article. We expect better thinking from our leaders, journalists, and decision makers than this! Show us your good side.
Pat "
Where's decent journalism with facts and information that educates the people? Please get the facts behind the scenes researched and out to the public!
What about the "name game", wouldn't wise leaders want the name to be based upon creating cohesion and unity? (by the way, How about two high schools that integrate 7-12 grades? )
Talk about adversarial attitudes leaching through the article. We expect better thinking from our leaders, journalists, and decision makers than this! Show us your good side.
Pat "
Ray wrote on Oct 8, 2008 3:26 AM:
" I'm waiting for the day Flagstaff is back down to 1 high school.
The whole city is dieing a slow death because it has a bunch of liberals ruining our town. "
The whole city is dieing a slow death because it has a bunch of liberals ruining our town. "
Jim Lahey wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:30 PM:
" How about closing the flagstaff school in leupp. The savings their should off set the cost of keeping Sinagua open. Let the Navajo's pay their own way! "
BW wrote on Oct 7, 2008 7:57 PM:
" The real courageous solution that FUSD should pursue, if they had the guts to do it, is to approach Northland Prep, turn over Sinagua (and by proxy all the local high schools) to its leadership, have them build the high school the right way and absorb Northland Prep back into the FUSD system. This would require FUSD to admit that Northland Prep does a better job and is more capable in building a center of education that results in high demand among "consumers." The problem here is that FUSD is losing in its free market competition against NPA. They should ask NPA for their help and surrender to their clearly superior system. Don't hold your breath though.... "
fhs current student wrote on Oct 7, 2008 6:53 PM:
" well i am in band at Flagstaff High school, and hearing this in my classes really is not good. Why close down any of the schools. It is a waste and students will be furious. So why close SHS and make FHS move to SHS building and making us have to graduate there and maybe even having a different name or keeping the name FHS. I love my school and thats what should matter. I have friends who go SHS and my friends are in sports. So if the district closes SHS and splits them between CHS and FHS, nothing will work. Plus most of the schools are already at their limit for students. So dont close any of Flagstaff's schools. So if you cut SHS, they wont have the chance to finish what they are already in like band, sports, and other things too. I know FHS is the oldest school, but even thinking about closing it will only break hearts of those who graduated there and those who graduate this year and futher on. Its sad to hear that they are thinking of closing schools and spliting kids between the two schools left. "
A Proud Flag High Employee and Sinagua Parent wrote on Oct 7, 2008 5:52 PM:
" I work at Flag High and have a child attending Sinagua and don't pretend to understand all the issues driving this discussion. However, here are some thoughts, probably random, but that may add some meaning:
- Names of schools perhaps shouldn't matter much.
- Flag High school is in bad physical shape, and that is a day to day fact.
- Sinagua, though poorly designed, is in good physical shape.
- Coco seems to be in good physical shape.
- Sinagua, after three years of my child attending there, has great teachers, staff, and administration. Students are really proud to be there.
- Flag High, after years of working there, has great teachers, staff and administration. Students are really proud to be there.
- I know Coco less then the other two schools, but it seems like a great place, where teachers, administrators, and staff are great. Students are really proud to be there.
- Every time I go into the FUSD administration building on Sparrow Avenue, I see people who work there chatting, cooking baked goods, and who appear to not have much to do.
- I have been in all three high schools many times, and every employee seems to be working hard for their students every time.
- The student attrition numbers show the highest level of student loss occurs at the middle school level, largely driven, from what I hear, by affluent parents with concerns about MEMS, moving their children to Charter schools. Their enrollment, according to FUSD numbers, has gone down from 844 to 662, or over 22% in the past 3 years. Flag High and Sinagua's student populations have stayed fairly level.
The audit report driving this issue stated that FUSD was over staffed administratively, and not at the school level, yet, the first and only response to date by our FUSD administration has been been to the school level.
Again, I don't understand every factor driving this discussion. I cannot come up with an easy solution. I am not sure that there is one.
I do believe that there are folks in administration sitting in a very nice, new building with a roof that doesn't leak on Sparrow Avenue, who don't seem to be working as hard as the teachers and staff I engage with on a day to day basis. I believe that our students, whether at Flag, at Sinagua, Coco, or in our middle schools, deserve nice buildings with adequate facilities and non-leaking roofs. I believe that the folks at all three high schools have been working their butts off to provide a great education to all Flagstaff Students. I believe that if the majority of the student attrition occurs in middle school, then our middle schools need to be a key focus in the solution(s). Finally, I believe that regardless of what is decided, no one at any of the schools should feel anything but pride in what they have done for students. It is appreciated. "
- Names of schools perhaps shouldn't matter much.
- Flag High school is in bad physical shape, and that is a day to day fact.
- Sinagua, though poorly designed, is in good physical shape.
- Coco seems to be in good physical shape.
- Sinagua, after three years of my child attending there, has great teachers, staff, and administration. Students are really proud to be there.
- Flag High, after years of working there, has great teachers, staff and administration. Students are really proud to be there.
- I know Coco less then the other two schools, but it seems like a great place, where teachers, administrators, and staff are great. Students are really proud to be there.
- Every time I go into the FUSD administration building on Sparrow Avenue, I see people who work there chatting, cooking baked goods, and who appear to not have much to do.
- I have been in all three high schools many times, and every employee seems to be working hard for their students every time.
- The student attrition numbers show the highest level of student loss occurs at the middle school level, largely driven, from what I hear, by affluent parents with concerns about MEMS, moving their children to Charter schools. Their enrollment, according to FUSD numbers, has gone down from 844 to 662, or over 22% in the past 3 years. Flag High and Sinagua's student populations have stayed fairly level.
The audit report driving this issue stated that FUSD was over staffed administratively, and not at the school level, yet, the first and only response to date by our FUSD administration has been been to the school level.
Again, I don't understand every factor driving this discussion. I cannot come up with an easy solution. I am not sure that there is one.
I do believe that there are folks in administration sitting in a very nice, new building with a roof that doesn't leak on Sparrow Avenue, who don't seem to be working as hard as the teachers and staff I engage with on a day to day basis. I believe that our students, whether at Flag, at Sinagua, Coco, or in our middle schools, deserve nice buildings with adequate facilities and non-leaking roofs. I believe that the folks at all three high schools have been working their butts off to provide a great education to all Flagstaff Students. I believe that if the majority of the student attrition occurs in middle school, then our middle schools need to be a key focus in the solution(s). Finally, I believe that regardless of what is decided, no one at any of the schools should feel anything but pride in what they have done for students. It is appreciated. "
C. H. wrote on Oct 7, 2008 5:37 PM:
" For those of you saying that students attending Flag High for reasons other than zoning should just go to Sinagua to help the low enrollment, it is clearly stated in the article that the problem is TOTAL high school enrollment numbers, not just Sinagua. So quit wasting space and learn how to read. And who care about how a school looks? FHS is falling apart, and no matter what Sinagua's building looks like, I went there and I'd like to have a diploma from a school that still exists.
As some have stated, we really should be examining other areas of the budget where funds are wasted, and not even talking about this ridiculous option.
And you, Mr. "eloquent responses", they are freshmen in high school. Why don't you pick on the Vice Presidential candidate who can't even answer a question? I bet you feel great about yourself. "
As some have stated, we really should be examining other areas of the budget where funds are wasted, and not even talking about this ridiculous option.
And you, Mr. "eloquent responses", they are freshmen in high school. Why don't you pick on the Vice Presidential candidate who can't even answer a question? I bet you feel great about yourself. "
jn wrote on Oct 7, 2008 5:02 PM:
" i think that the more students that there are per class, the less one on one the students will get with the teacher and can be cause of not succeeding in school. also a school that is to crowded calls for a lot of conflicts between students. "
amy wrote on Oct 7, 2008 4:23 PM:
" So many kids at FHS are suppose to be at Sinagua but simply went to FHS for either advanced classes, band or sports. Maybe they should force them to go to Sinagua and help its low enrollment. We bought on the west side so our children could attend FHS. "
A Swanson wrote on Oct 7, 2008 4:20 PM:
" As an alumni of SHS of course I was sad to hear of the possible closing of my high school let alone any local high school. However I completely understand the need to cut costs especially in our current economic situation. I'd like to see this happen however without increasing the student:teacher ratio and without teachers/faculty/staff losing their jobs. The unemployment rate is already too high and if these families lose jobs, obviously there goes some more families from our community.
I'd like to recommend a possible solution.
The charter schools seem to be growing in numbers and keeping students from attending the local public high schools. Of course the quality of education offered in the public schools seems to be quite diminished since I attended and graduated from SHS and that is likely one of the draws of the charter schools.
Changes need to happen on many levels but why not start by offering the charter schools the opportunity to lease space from the local high schools, a portion, a wing, or some other defined section. The charter area would be separate but would be able to utilize the already established FUSD bus system (decreasing gasoline consumption), the lunch system, etc. It would likely cut costs for the charter schools and for the public schools.
Of course the logistics would need to be worked out; but this seems to me to be a very logical solution. "
I'd like to recommend a possible solution.
The charter schools seem to be growing in numbers and keeping students from attending the local public high schools. Of course the quality of education offered in the public schools seems to be quite diminished since I attended and graduated from SHS and that is likely one of the draws of the charter schools.
Changes need to happen on many levels but why not start by offering the charter schools the opportunity to lease space from the local high schools, a portion, a wing, or some other defined section. The charter area would be separate but would be able to utilize the already established FUSD bus system (decreasing gasoline consumption), the lunch system, etc. It would likely cut costs for the charter schools and for the public schools.
Of course the logistics would need to be worked out; but this seems to me to be a very logical solution. "
Ex-Flagger wrote on Oct 7, 2008 2:03 PM:
" To the comment by "Let be Fair" don't you mean "Lets be fair?" Anyway, I am a FHS alumni, and I am very proud of that fact, I think your comment about FHS being ugly is quite juvenile to say the least, are you a student at Sinagua? I don't think Flagstaff needs 3 high schools, I think the 2 original high schools meet Flagstaff's needs quite well. I am thinking with the high cost of living in Flagstaff, one of these days one high school will probably be enough. Quite sad... "
Its About the Kids wrote on Oct 7, 2008 1:44 PM:
" People, make the administration & board clearly articulate WHY this change WILL enhance the educational environment for current and future Flagstaff high school students. Our voter elected school board members are supposed to be focused on providing a quality learning environment. Make them demonstrate how larger student populations and the related classroom size increases will deliver a better educational opportunity. To date, all I’ve heard is their desire to save $1M. That does not sound aligned with enhancing the education experience at our high schools.
School Board and FUSD Administration, assuming you may read this, please read the FUSD "Vision, Mission and Beliefs" statement (http://www.fusd1.org/district_mission.htm) to reacquaint yourself with what you are suppose to be doing. Thereafter, please help us to understand what influence is driving this process. I am unaware of any Flagstaff taxpayer revolt demanding you to find a way to save money. To the contrary, Flagstaff has continually demonstrated a willingness to support our current tax load in exchange for smaller class sizes. Please let us know if your charter has changed with a greater focus on cost per student; thus we can respond with our votes & lack of support. If your focus remains quality of education, please remove the issue of “what two schools will remain open & what will we name them”, and all of the associated wasted energy. Instead, solely focus you efforts on broadly sharing your views & the related information that will convince us that this consolidation WILL enhance the education our children will receive. I for one will support you 100% once duly convinced! "
School Board and FUSD Administration, assuming you may read this, please read the FUSD "Vision, Mission and Beliefs" statement (http://www.fusd1.org/district_mission.htm) to reacquaint yourself with what you are suppose to be doing. Thereafter, please help us to understand what influence is driving this process. I am unaware of any Flagstaff taxpayer revolt demanding you to find a way to save money. To the contrary, Flagstaff has continually demonstrated a willingness to support our current tax load in exchange for smaller class sizes. Please let us know if your charter has changed with a greater focus on cost per student; thus we can respond with our votes & lack of support. If your focus remains quality of education, please remove the issue of “what two schools will remain open & what will we name them”, and all of the associated wasted energy. Instead, solely focus you efforts on broadly sharing your views & the related information that will convince us that this consolidation WILL enhance the education our children will receive. I for one will support you 100% once duly convinced! "
Pat parent of Sinagua student and graduate wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:50 PM:
" Hi,
I wrote a comment last night, of the type of analysis that would need to be done to accurately assess these options for financial and overall suitability to our area. I would like to see an analysis of these issues:
1) impact on current curriculum, as well as arts, sports, clubs, and other enrichment offered
2) impact on after school events, and time-resource issues for gyms, auditoriums, and workout facilities.
3) student/teacher ratios
4) cost of transportation, % bussing to non-bussing
5) impact on neighborhood: traffic, crime, atmosphere
6) team-building and partnering workshops required to create a cohesive student body
7) long term projected growth in surrounding areas, that could affect future growth based upon land use
8) ANALYZE why charter schools work, what works, and what components can be implemented within FUSD structure?
9) Move a Charter high school into a wing of Sinagua, giving them more facilities and lowering cost burden.
My daughter graduated from Sinagua last spring, and had an amazingly rich educational experience. The Clubs and sports programs offered at Sinagua are a real plus, as well as the 55 minute class vs. 90 minute blocks. I appreciate their approach to education and the fine staff of experienced teachers that have been dedicated to making it great. My younger daughter is now a freshman at this school and I would hate to be put into the muddle of a higher population school. I don't care what they do in larger metropolitan areas, I don't choose to live there for these reasons! Pat "
I wrote a comment last night, of the type of analysis that would need to be done to accurately assess these options for financial and overall suitability to our area. I would like to see an analysis of these issues:
1) impact on current curriculum, as well as arts, sports, clubs, and other enrichment offered
2) impact on after school events, and time-resource issues for gyms, auditoriums, and workout facilities.
3) student/teacher ratios
4) cost of transportation, % bussing to non-bussing
5) impact on neighborhood: traffic, crime, atmosphere
6) team-building and partnering workshops required to create a cohesive student body
7) long term projected growth in surrounding areas, that could affect future growth based upon land use
8) ANALYZE why charter schools work, what works, and what components can be implemented within FUSD structure?
9) Move a Charter high school into a wing of Sinagua, giving them more facilities and lowering cost burden.
My daughter graduated from Sinagua last spring, and had an amazingly rich educational experience. The Clubs and sports programs offered at Sinagua are a real plus, as well as the 55 minute class vs. 90 minute blocks. I appreciate their approach to education and the fine staff of experienced teachers that have been dedicated to making it great. My younger daughter is now a freshman at this school and I would hate to be put into the muddle of a higher population school. I don't care what they do in larger metropolitan areas, I don't choose to live there for these reasons! Pat "
citizen of flag wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:37 PM:
" i think that the schools should send the students who are attending schools in the wrong district be sent to the right one. they shoud not be given the option to choose what high school to go to. balance it out. "
chartermom wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:28 PM:
" Here is an opinion from a mom with no kids in FUSD schools anymore: doing anything that makes for a bigger population at a school is a big mistake. Many people don't want their kids going to an enormous factory of a school, they want a little personal attention for their children and a comfortable environment where people can know each other. Consolidating schools and thereby increasing the population within a building is a recipe for unhappiness on the part of FUSD families. "
worried wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:25 PM:
" If the district is top heavy, that should mean eliminating some administration at the higher levels, not closing a school. Start thinking about your customers: the parents and children. It doesn't sound like they want only two (giant) high schools in town!!! "
westsider wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:22 PM:
" There are a lot of kids who should be attending Sinagua who are actually going to FHS. Try turning them back to the school in the correct area, and things will be more balanced. Then there would be no need to close schools. "
flagmom wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:21 PM:
" Wow, this sounds great for morale. Not. They should keep all 3 high schools, and encourage some kids to move from Coco and FHS to Sinagua to make the numbers more even. Offer some sort of incentive, buses, etc. "
A concern parent wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:11 PM:
" Keep FHS as is, there will more cost for transporting students across town too. DO some adjusting by getting the student attending FHS or CHS that should have been attending SHS because of the boundary area. "
Beth wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:58 AM:
" Both of my kids have graduated from Sinagua. I called them both last evening to inform them that their school maybe closing. The reaction was fast and furious! This is NOT the way to save money. FHS & CHS would have massive renovations to accommodate the new masses, so where does that money come from? Just leave it be. What about the athletes at Sinagua...do you really think they are going to be treated fairly when teams in many cases have already been decided? What about the teachers? Staff? Are all these things being considered? If you want to save money there has to be a better way. I thought Flagstaff Unified was top heavy...does that mean students and teachers? I thought that always meant administration. HUH?? "
Sinagua Mom wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:46 AM:
" There isn't anything wrong with the students at any of the high schools or the education they are getting. Their comments are coming from their hearts, Amendment 1. The Daily Sun threw out an attention-grabbing headline on Sunday (it could've said "MEMS May Move") that sold newspapers, but did little to relay solid information. It's sounding like speculation on everyone's part right now because there will be no decisions made until all the information is available. What is the building report going to say about FHS? Is it even a safe environment? Nostalgia needs to take a back seat to what is best for the students. Kids are very adaptable and I bet they'll be very open-minded when all the information is available. "
PdH Mom born and raised in Flagstaff wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:29 AM:
" This would be good for PdH, they have a GREAT program and a lot of kids, with 7th grade now also. And MEMS is due a change, it is showing it's 'East Flag Jr High' roots lately. The high schoolers will adapt, SHS isn't THAT old, a lot of their parents went to CHS or FHS... "
KR wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:13 AM:
" First, I don't recall there being any statement that the closure would occur immediately. It is likely the decision will take some time, and also likely that it would occur after school let out this year. Second of all, I seem to recall a lot of people complaining that the District needed to close school's and save money. Now they are discussing the possibility and everyone is crying out to not do it. We can't have it both ways. The District needs to lower it's budget partially by closing schools and by firing people. Combining two high schools into one will save the cost of at least one principal, one vice principal and probably a dozen teachers. It is not good news for those individuals but it is what needs to be done for the community. "
Let be Fair wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:04 AM:
" ak I believe the only charm that FHS has in the hearts of their alumni because it is the oldest and most costly of the 3 buildings - not to mention ugly. FHS building should not be used to house all these students. If you are doing this to truly cut cost then I would think that it is obvious FHS building is older and will have more repairs & maintenance cost. Not to mention the money just spent on the football/soccer/track field. The district also needs to look at the busing issues, I realize that both ends have people coming from Baderville to Luepp - have they weighed that cost. Not to mention the difficulty we have in this city getting school bus drivers.
If Flagstaff is so worried about keeping the Flagstaff charm then why did we let NAU build some of their new buildings south of campus or those ugly pieces of art down Rt66 that have nothing to do with Flagstaff heritage. "
If Flagstaff is so worried about keeping the Flagstaff charm then why did we let NAU build some of their new buildings south of campus or those ugly pieces of art down Rt66 that have nothing to do with Flagstaff heritage. "
concerned parent wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:24 AM:
" why on earth did sinagua get built in the first place if the school board is just going to do this? it's crazy, leave everything the way it is until school is out for gods sake. i know how it feels to be moved around from one school to the next...it sucks!! doesn't the school board ever think of the students? apparently not!! "
former student wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:05 AM:
" I understand that the current students will definitely have issues with only two high schools but when I went to school in Flagstaff there were only two high schools and they were bursting at the seams. This was the reason Sinagua was built and naturally the affluent Country Club students claimed it as their own and frowned upon the students that were bussed in to attend. Funny how a few years can change that. I would offer just a tid-bit of advice for the FUSD High School students, have an open mind because high school does not define who you are or who you will become. Life does that for you. Good luck kids. "
Murphy wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:25 AM:
" The schools are running out of money, even as our property tax bills are out of control??? Give me a break.
Why not just close all the schools and really save some money? Use it to put some more bars downtown or something. But, think about this.
In spite of the $ crunch, why do these local schools still SEND ALL THEIR SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS TO PHOENIX?
Proms, sports, senior portraits, underclass, etc.....it all goes to Phoenix. The company doing this doesn't even bid on these jobs and steals back to Cactus Town with bushels of money while peddling shoddy, substandard school pictures. I bet they don't even pay local sales tax either.
There are several good photographers in Flagstaff and at lease one studio. None of that business should go to Phoenix where they send up trainees from the large photo conglomerate to take these pictures.
DON'T YOU AGREE? "
Why not just close all the schools and really save some money? Use it to put some more bars downtown or something. But, think about this.
In spite of the $ crunch, why do these local schools still SEND ALL THEIR SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS TO PHOENIX?
Proms, sports, senior portraits, underclass, etc.....it all goes to Phoenix. The company doing this doesn't even bid on these jobs and steals back to Cactus Town with bushels of money while peddling shoddy, substandard school pictures. I bet they don't even pay local sales tax either.
There are several good photographers in Flagstaff and at lease one studio. None of that business should go to Phoenix where they send up trainees from the large photo conglomerate to take these pictures.
DON'T YOU AGREE? "
Amendment 1 wrote on Oct 7, 2008 7:22 AM:
" "it sucks"
"I think it's stupid."
With such eloquent responses it seems obvious that Sinagua is a failure and should be closed. "
"I think it's stupid."
With such eloquent responses it seems obvious that Sinagua is a failure and should be closed. "
It Really Does Suck wrote on Oct 7, 2008 7:15 AM:
" What bull. They are accomplishing nothing by doing this. You are brining moral down, you will cause MORE gang problems because they just don't want to switch schools. Why do you not start by breaking up 2009's Freshman class and every year don't except a freshman class after that and let these kids finish where they started........I am a stay at home mom and am smarter than that. Oh but wait, they really just do not care what will happen to the kids, MONEY< MONEY< MONEY.............Yep.
This is a bad mistake. Have the police at your schools when you announce your plans because it will not be good. Then make sure you have police at your school everyday because these kids will be taking their anger out at someone. This is the talk of the town and Flag High kids want to stage a walkout/protest, Sinagua is just mad and Coconino wants to protest also. :< "
This is a bad mistake. Have the police at your schools when you announce your plans because it will not be good. Then make sure you have police at your school everyday because these kids will be taking their anger out at someone. This is the talk of the town and Flag High kids want to stage a walkout/protest, Sinagua is just mad and Coconino wants to protest also. :< "
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Sinagua Student wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:15 PM:
Teens who are disdainful of the idea going to school with their rivals need to let go of their own strange prejudices. Yes, you may need to go to school with people you haven't previously felt comfortable with. However, a good portion of students from Sinagua will be joining you, and hopefully you'll adapt and learn to interact with the other pupils. I don't understand how one can possibly think that the district should find another way to cut spending, just because the students find it "stupid." "