FHUSD: Math Curriculum, Vacant School and Bond Options

WHAT: Summary of May 9 2023 School Board Meeting (over 4 hours long)

• FHUSD is considering a proposal for a new math curriculum for grades K-5.  The materials are available for public review.  Comments given at the meeting highlighted the inclusion of “Social – Emotional Learning” (SEL) in the textbooks and that this was inappropriate & unacceptable for math instruction.  The Board and administration were urged to seek out an alternative.
• The Four Peaks School campus has not housed students for several years.  There are some business tenants, but the property is operating at a loss of over $110.000/year.  The Board voted 5 to 0 to approve a November 2023 ballot initiative to gain voter authorization for possible sale/lease/exchange of the property.  The Board voted 5 to 0 to not place a request for authorization of the sale/lease/exchange of District-owned vacant land on the ballot.
• By a 3 to 2 vote, the Board voted to approve placing a $25 million bond authorization before the voters in November 2023 to allow future discussion & vote to fund current and anticipated expenditures.   

WHY:  

• In recent years, the often secretive introduction and presence of Critical Race Theory and SEL in schools has come to light.  This can detract from the needed attention to teaching the actual subject, such as math.  Parents and other taxpayers need to be vigilant to recognize and resist such intrusion into teaching. 
• Funding for schools is limited, so consideration must be given to the fiscally-proper handling of vacant buildings which are not expected to be needed for students in the foreseeable future.
• There are current and anticipated capital expenditures in District buildings.  A bond is a mechanism of funding such expenditures.  If the November ballot question is approved by voters, the Board would have several years to actually approve the issuance of bonds, taking economic conditions into consideration. 

CALL TO ACTION:

• Attend FHUSD Board meetings to become better infomed about spending & other issues.

www.fountainhillsschools.org