Ruling closes Pappas schools after school year

Hayley Ringle, Tribune

October 18, 2007 - 12:02PM , updated: October 19, 2007 - 9:34AM

The Thomas J. Pappas schools for the homeless will close at the end of the school year, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled Thursday.

Judge hears arguments on Pappas schools

Board approves closing of Pappas schools

Pappas schools face uncertain future

Judge John Buttrick approved the proposed settlement among the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, the County Treasurer and the receiver board that has been overseeing the Pappas schools.

He denied Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools Sandra Dowling’s motions to bring the issue to trial.

“The Court finds the parties’ settlement to have been made in good faith and finds no reason to force the parties to try a case where they have reached complete agreement,” the judge wrote.

However, the fight is not over, said Diane Fernichio, site administrator for the Tempe Pappas school.

“We’re going to continue to fight,” Fernichio said. “We truly believe in what we’re doing.”

Dowling’s lawyer, David Cantelme, said he will file an appeal as soon as he can get it drafted.

The settlement the judge approved keeps the schools open until the end of the school year, providing enough money to pay teachers.

The settlement also includes priority hiring for Pappas employees for county positions they qualify for.

Plans are also in the works for job fairs at neighboring schools.

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Fulton Brock, R-District 1, said the board is “very upbeat” about Buttrick’s ruling.

“In our minds, this case is closed,” Brock said. “We think it’s a win-win because it allows a soft landing transition for the students and parents and all those involved in Pappas.”

Pappas students will be sent to area school districts. The Tempe campus has 182 students, Fernichio said.

Area school districts have staff and services available to help homeless students. However, Fernichio said it’s not enough.

“I don’t want them to have to go to different schools. I don’t think they will do as well,” Fernichio said. “It’s sad that politics has to get in the way with what we’re trying to do.”

Judge hears arguments on Pappas schools
Board approves closing of Pappas schools
Pappas schools face uncertain future

Comments

Oldest First | Newest First | Show Recommended Only

Reader comments: This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Responsibility lies solely with the comment author.

Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news:

Stay on topic.
No personal attacks, racial slurs or insults; no vulgar, lewd or threatening comments.
Report abusive comments.

Show archived comments

Reader comments (6)

This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Responsibility lies solely with the comment author.

My comment disappeared! What's going on?

Keith

Ya, lets just shutdown a school, because "we can't afford it". Meanwhile, we will continue to pay for sports programs, contraceptives,and (coming to a school near you) birth control. We've already tried over and over to drop the music programs. Not to mention how many schools don't have shop classes anymore.

So my question is: What in the hell is the district spending money on? Because it doesn't seem like actually educating our students...... Suggest removal of this comment

October 18, 2007

Tim Johnson

The judge said all the parties involved agreed... really? The parents, students, teachers, school staff, and community did not agree. The county agreed with itself, since it picked the district governing board (Nancy Haas) it knew would agree with it. This judge will forever be known as the man who took away a school choice from the poor and needy. Comment has been reviewed

October 18, 2007

Tim Johnson

Over about 5 years the district has gone over budget by about $3.3 million, but the county by law was supposed to pay this. In 2005 the AZ department of Education told the county they underfunded the district by $3.6 million over 5 years. The majority of the budget comes from sources other than the county, such as private and corporate donors. County money was only used if the district went over budget. The county created the financial crisis to give them a reason to close the schools. Sending the Pappas kids to public schools will now cost the taxpayers more. Comment has been reviewed

October 18, 2007

Chauncey

An obvious case of politics over children's welfare. These are special needs children and, as a society it is our duty to care for them. Nobody agreed to a settlement but the same politicians who created the stink in the first place. Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is the entity that should be "closed." All they want is more money for their pork barrel. The question in my mind is why is a judge siding with these crooks, even to the point of denying these children their day in court? Suggest removal of this comment

October 18, 2007

Gussy Girl

How disheartening to hear! These schools provide a safe haven for children who are homeless, children who would encounter devastating ridicule and discrimination at any regular "public" school. Children top the list of cruel humans in my book...and to inflict that on other children who are already being punished for their parents misfortunes, that is simply cold hearted and borderline torturous!

I have done volunteer work at the Pappas schools and never have I encountered such eagerness to learn, to better one's self like I have with the students there.

Way to go you greedy politicians! Destroy the lives of such deserving children! All to what??? Get a higher salary? Suggest removal of this comment