Focus on the future
Ronald Green, Focus on the Future Committee
This November Arizona/Pinal County has an election, where everyone will receive their ballot in early October. This election is a “mail in only” election.
We would like to provide you information on two propositions that will be on the ballot Proposition 438 and Proposition 439, both supporting important and necessary funding for the Oracle School District’s Mountain Vista Elementary School.
Proposition 438 approves the continuation of taxes already in place. It will help ensure we can maintain appropriate class sizes, along with the following programs: music, art, tech academy, and physical education.
Proposition 439 approves the issue of bonds to fund critical and necessary infrastructure projects supporting health and safety and educational enhancements and efficiencies.
There has been much work done, that began early last year on the purpose and need for proposition 439. Below is a summary of the work that was done, and due diligence taken.
Mountain Vista Elementary School (K-8) in Oracle Arizona has structural, health, and safety issues, which have an impact on student learning and educational environment.
The Oracle School District Governing Board appointed an Advisory Committee to begin a full analysis of a capital improvement plan. The advisory committee included teachers, residents of Oracle, SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch. The committee convened in February 2018 to begin their in-depth review.
The committee collaborated and agreed, that our focus would be on “the absolutes,” those areas that must be accomplished, under the following criteria—improvements to conditions that impact the health and safety of the children and staff including necessary upgrades for ADA-compliant standards, and enhance the student’s learning and educational environment.
Mountain Vista campus has several significant challenges that must be addressed which include a classroom building constructed in 1964 that has structural issues, such as asbestos ceiling tiles that do not meet current school facility standards, and, due to low glass windows, all around, cannot be secured in the event of an active shooter incident. Kitchen equipment, such as walk-in refrigerators and freezers more than 20 years old, where parts can no longer be obtained with breakdowns increasing, requiring replacement of this equipment. Tutoring and training space is insufficient, and needs to be increased by enlarging the current library for improved student learning and education. Several buses with an average of 300,000 miles on them need to be replaced, and the parking lot needs to be reconfigured to ensure student safety, which is at risk, with the current configuration.
The advisory committee presented their recommendations to the District Governing Board in March 2019, who then reviewed, accepted, and approved the recommendations of the committee which included the district seeking voter approval for a class B bond in the November election for $13.2 million to fund these vital infrastructure needs.
Help our Oracle preschoolers
Maria Menconi
The Oracle School Foundation’s Gala, Champions Helping Children, is right around the corner! While the deadline for purchasing tickets was Oct. 6, and you can no longer buy seats for the gala, you may view the complete description of the fixed price, live, and silent auction offerings on the foundation website, www.oracleschoolsfoundation.com. That way, if one of the items interests you, and one of your friends is attending the gala, they can help you get it.
Everyone values experiences with friends and many are available at the gala through the fixed price events. There’s a mosaics class, swimming lessons, bridge lessons, acrylic pouring, a sourdough bread making class, or a stargazing event. You can indulge in either a wine tasting with Arizona’s first Certified Winemaker or a scotch tasting (or both!), or an evening of piano playing, Name that Tune, and drinks. In games of chance, you can play Texas hold’em or choose a day at the races. There’s a homemade dessert of the month, a Fourth of July barbecue in April, a French feast, a Lombardi pizza dinner, or a homemade soup and bread monthly delivery. Fixed price events are great as there is no bidding involved, tickets are purchased for the event(s) you choose, and then you show up at the appointed day and time. For a complete description of these events, please go to our website at www.oracleschoolsfoundation.com.
Oracle Schools Foundation Champions have helped to make the gala a huge success with their generous bidding in the past. So, once again, we present an exciting live auction! Indulge your adventurous self with a visit to Arizona Zipline, the Planetarium, Mount Lemmon Sky Center, the Mirror Lab, or a flight over SaddleBrooke and its surrounds. Bid for some priority University of Arizona men’s basketball tickets or Vital Moves fitness training sessions. There are homemade cookies, a murder mystery dinner, a Latin American dinner, an exclusive SaddleBrooke One Library dinner, a soup of the month delivery, a Hacienda Del Sol brunch, even a custom dinner cooked in your home! We have theater tickets, or you can bid for a week in San Diego, a stay at the 3 C Ranch or a dude ranch. Choose a magnificent cactus garden, a unique pottery design, a handmade necklace, or a specially designed book cover. Gift baskets include a spa basket, a doggy collection, a whiskey basket, and an Octoberfest basket with locally made beer. Sportsters also have an opportunity to bid for golf and tennis lessons, golf swing analysis, and rounds of golf in a silent auction setting.
Finally, you may make a donation to the foundation, either by visiting our website, or by writing out a check to Oracle Schools Foundation and mailing it to P.O. Box 8863, Catalina AZ, 85738. And once again, remember, you can help the children in your school district, enjoy great times with friends, and make wonderful memories, with purchases at the Oracle Schools Foundation Gala!