By Zach Richardson
Sedona AZ (August 3, 2015) – We live in a great community with great people. So why does it appear the Red Rock News is on a mission to destroy Sedona’s great school district?
The paper seems to continually make factless accusations with twisted reporting of school district events and issues which have demoralized our school staff, hindered teacher recruiting and retention, scared away existing and potential students and falsely swayed community opinion to question the dedicated-hard work of Sedona’s schools staff. The newspaper seems to have become a major negative influence on our school district that diminishes morale, erodes community financial support, and most of all harms of our kids.
The latest attack by the paper was against the proposed high school student fees. Red Rock News Managing Editor Christopher Fox Graham in a July 17 editorial called these fees “reckless,” “disgusting” and “offensive” without researching and disclosing the facts. He implies that Sedona is the first district to ever propose such “misguided” fees in order to rally public opinion against our schools, when in fact our district was one of the last to do so. Researching the facts is as easy as Googling “public school fees.”
Check out the fees for Mingus High School and compare.
If parents cannot pay the fees, children will not be refused admittance. We are more than happy to accommodate those who cannot pay. One thing is not having the money to pay the fees and another is encouraging those who do, not to pay.
In the editor’s apparent campaign against our school district, which he calls N.O.P.E (No One Pays Ever), he fails to mention:
- Sedona school district is one of the last in the state and probably the country to propose such fees.
- Proposed fees are the lowest in the area.
- The high school staff have been studying for years what other schools have been doing to subsidize their budget cuts.
- The proposed fees were recommended by our high school teachers, after their study of the issue.
- The fees go towards basic items such as books, paper, lab supplies, technology, etc., much of which is currently being paid for by our underpaid teachers.
- The high school principal, the superintendent backed the fee and the school board reluctantly yet unanimously approved the fees to assist our teachers in the classroom, as other schools have already done.
These are positive aspects of this unfortunate but necessary fee that the paper could have reported to help our community understand and come to grips with the dire nature of Arizona’s public educational system. Instead, the paper puts one more negative spin on this situation by reporting that Superintendent David Lykins received an $18,500 pay raise and/or bonus this year without mentioning the fact that his compensation this year is the same as last year.
The paper should be reporting on the cause of these fees, which is incompetence in education at the state level and the resulting education funding cuts. Instead, the paper is attacking our district leaders that are only trying to cope with the results of this incompetence at the state level in an effort to provide our community with a viable school system. Did you know that Arizona school funding of education is the lowest in the country? It is even below Puerto Rico which is bankrupt.
The paper tried hard to recall me from the school board and failed. Now they are going after the school district with the same senseless, factless campaign that will only hurt our community more.
As I wrote in a letter to Bob Larson last March referencing the reporting in the paper; “I am sure such tactics are not how our forefathers anticipated our democracy to be upheld. Nor do they adhere to the principles held dear by the Fourth Estate.”
I never received a reply.
People do not like negative, divisive environments, which I believe the paper has created in our community. At some point the public will fully understand how the Sedona Red Rock News is hurting our district, our kids and our community.
The businesses that advertise in the Sedona Red Rock News should think twice about supporting a newspaper that is hurting rather than supporting its community. Let’s get back on track and bring our community together to deal with issues supported by FACTS.
I write this letter as a parent, business owner and concerned citizen. My statements do not represent the school board or this publication.
Editor’s Note: We have given Mr. Richardson space in our publication to express his views and sentiments as we would any other reader wishing to do so . His opinions are his and not ours. Readers are welcome to comment at the end of this letter to the editor or submit a letter or article of their own. We welcome all views.
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23 Comments
Thank you, sedona.biz for publishing this article to give those of us who are interested a better perspective or point of view.
Anyone who has been involved in the Sedona School system knows that Graham’s editorial was not factual. As a parent, I know that this fee has been discussed for the last 15 years.
The problem is the state of AZ does not care about the education of its children.
Well, gee Zach. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, walks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.
The fees are a TERRIBLE idea and the FACT that other districts propose a fee doesn’t make it right.
There are other ways to correct the budget – like freezing wages for the (already over-paid) administration, letting the on-campus police go (we do not need a police state at the school. If you’re having that many problems with discipline, you need to get a stronger vice-principal), and supporting the legalization of marijuana (Colorado has SO MUCH MONEY for education from the sales that they can’t spend it all).
Christopher Graham Fox has every right under the Constitution to write what ever he wants – Freedom of the Press is a check and balance for out of control government agencies (and if the shoe fits!)
After having my child attend RRHS (transferring from a Blue Ribbon California School) I can attest to the fact of the incompetence EVERYWHERE. We finally sent our kid to VVS, where the education, teachers, support is far superior in every way. At the time, RRHS had a drop-out rate that was SO HIGH that I scarcely believed it was possible. At VVS, 99% of the students graduate, 90% go on to college, and 85% get college scholarships. Clearly Red Rock High School is of NO comparison, and parents who pay taxes want better for their kids.
Suck it up.
Dear Steven Nippet, aka JJ, Darryl Z. or however you want to be addressed.
I hate to sound cute, but; My mother once told me not to believe everything one hears or reads in the media. Ask Brian Williams.
Just because the Sedona Red Rock News reports that there is a $75 fee to attend the high school, it does not mean that there is such a fee, in FACT, there is NO SUCH FEE at this point.
The board approved a potential fee up to $75 for the staff and site council to implement as they felt appropriate to cover items listed in my letter. The only new fee the high school is imposing is a $30 parking fee to help maintain the parking lot. If you just call the school or attended board meetings you would get the FACTS.
As to your quack analysis, I do not completely understand how that endorses Eric Mendelsohn’s comments.
For those who want a public forum to voice an opinion, attend a school site council meeting. Each school has a site council consisting of students, staff, and community members which meets monthly to discuss school policies and goals. These meetings are open to the public.
Most Sedona residents realize that it is only the paper’s reporting tactics and Eric Mendelshon’s published comments that suggest the school board operates in a vacuum. The FACT is that there is plenty of opportunity for community members to get involved.
Zach you conveniently failed to mention that last years salary included $18,000 in one time extra duty clauses and increased to make it a regular part of his contract going forward. Probably more back door promises made and kept after getting Dr. Hirsch to resign. You also failed to mention the rebuke by the state of Arizona Attorney Generals office on the way the district administrators and board have conducted themselves this past year. Business as usual with a male dominated board and administration.
Rarely is anyone totally right as there are almost always two or more sides to an issue. That being said I suspect that if our School District Board had effectively explained to our community why it needed to raise more money now it could have asked for and received more money through donations than it will receive from this fee.
Our community wants its students to get a good education. It has proved that several times in the past by voting for extra money for our schools.
The District Governing Board would be wise, in the future, to reach out to the community for buy in before voting for changes such as these student fees. Perhaps it would be a good idea for our DGB to hold Town Hall meetings this Fall for the purpose of connecting with residents concerns and then, using the information so gathered, come up with viable approachs to act on them.
Paul Chevalier
Paul is right on this. Sedona is full of generous people who are willing to help our schools through the mean-spirited funding cuts pushed through by our governor. The Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona would likely have helped, as will other local groups. We raised millions to upgrade our local schools and cut operational costs. We could raise more to help meet basic needs. How about an Adopt-a-Classroom program?
I think it is terrible that our kids and parents need to pay an extra fee for a good education and to pay for necessary supplies. That said, if the state of AZ is not going to provide what a “public school” needs, then I see the fee as a way to get the job done for the kids. I support the work and thoughts of Mr. Richardson even though he seems to be constantly barraged by criticism.
This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. First of all, your children attend a PRIVATE school, which you most likely pay a generous amount of money for. SRRHS is a PUBLIC school, funded by little money from the state so a fee sounds like a good idea to me. Second of all, our school board cannot legalize marijuana, so again, that’s ridiculous. Also, the newspaper should express both sides with facts not opinions.
Thank you Sedona.Biz for giving us readers an opportunity to read the “other side” of an issue —
The Red Rock News holds a “bully pulpit” in this town ( and I mean “bully” to mean exactly that — to “bully”) and can be disrespectful and “full of itself” not allowing for an honest rebuttal — I have seen it too many times — I am sorry we do not have good journalism — We deserve better—
Maybe someone out there wants to buy the paper?
Zach,
Thanks for sharing your up close and personal perspective on Sedona School Board and school district versus our local newspaper. I I have nothing but the deepest respect for your perserverence and dedication to do what you feel is in the best interest of our schools and our community in spite of all of the aggressive pressure to do otherwise. Clearly there is differences in opinions of what should or should not be done with these many issues for our schools and students. I just hope that this too will pass. Best regards, John
I have not lived in Sedona long. I am a single Dad, trying my best to provide for my family. We live in West Sedona and share a space with another young couple. It’s so expensive to live here that we must double-up.
My daughter is a RRHS student. I have nothing but disgust for the education, or lack thereof, that she’s offered. I’d like to attend a board meeting about this “fee” before the school year starts but “VOILA!” no board meetings until AFTER school begins. We don’t have a choice. I don’t have much money but I suppose I will have to pay up the $75 or my child will be “branded.” It’s hard enough for my daughter to fit in after living through all that she’s had to go through in her young life and she knows very few in the area.
After reading above comments, I will look into VVS. I don’t like the way the school board is whining about every damn thing and passing the buck on to others. “Oh no, I can’t do a thing about it – it’s the STATE’S fault” is Zach’s attitude.
Editor Fox wrote a damn fine article. There’s much to be desired and unfulfilled by the current school board. If you can’t do anything but whine, resign! I’m sure someone will gladly roll up their sleeves and find a better solution than a $75 additional tax for kids attending the high school. It’s just nuts.
-DZ
“Did you know that Arizona school funding of education is the lowest in the country? It is even below Puerto Rico which is bankrupt.”
Supporting legal marijuana has worked for other states. This is a grass-roots campaign to support education in Arizona. We could go from being the least generous with having so much money that schools can afford better food, higher teacher’s salaries, higher administrative salaries, new schools, new equipment, sports programs, AP classes, and so much more. But it takes a movement – by looking at the other state’s successes (and failures) we can gain state-wide support for something that will solve the money problem. And before you go off on a high-horse about taking money from the sales of drugs, let’s not forget the tobacco and alcohol companies already contribute to education. This is no different. If everyone from the School Board down supports making marijuana legal, the state will soon be flush.
And lastly: look up the meaning of EDITORIAL. Christopher Graham Fox wrote an EDITORIAL. He doesn’t have to express anything else but his opinion.
When opinions morph into bias, editors best beware.
Mr. Graharm conveniently used the upper limit of what the school board authorized, i.e. $75, to write his inflammatory editorial. For school year 2015, SRRHS will implement a $30 parking fee, NOT $75 as Mr. Graham wants everyone to believe.
Obviously, Mr. Graham is not one to let facts get in the way of a good editorial — his job is to sell newspapers, after all.
I agree that negativity in any fashion never brings positive results. It’s a shame that educating our children isn’t Arizona’s top priority. It should be and this is what I hope we all start writing about.
Well the school board hit two hot buttons.
High school sports, and asking for money.
I think the anger coming from the Red Rock News should have been directed at the State of Arizona, not the Sedona school board, a little background on the lack of funding should have been the heart of the article.
Nothing is free
The Fee is the result of policies imposed by the State.
The board must make decisions based on the monies coming from the state of Arizona.
Some decisions are easy, some are hard, this was a hard one but one that was necessary.
Education must be funded first, then all other activities, the board understands that and to help keep sports in Sedona, they asked for $75.00.
This is not a large amount of money and each student is more the capable of earning or saving that amount.
In real life things cost, what better way for our high school students to start acting like adults then or save a little money for things they really want.
I see signs all over town asking for part time help, $75.00 is a small price to pay.
Sedona has a history of throwing stones then asking questions.
Steve Segner
I was more than happy to see the Board back-peddle on this added TAX and it’s been dropped.
I agree $75 isn’t much money and obviously you have plenty, Mr SS. But for me, I had to have a garage sale over the weekend so I had money to buy gas for my car so I could get to work. Thank goodness for the food banks! Steve segner, you are out of touch with what is happening. There are a LOT of parents who can ill afford the $75 and are too proud to say so.
-DZ
PS Yes, my daughter found a part-time babysitting job this summer. The majority of her money goes to pay her internet and cell phone expenses. She also helped to pay utility bills and is saving up for a new computer – hers is so old that it can no longer be updated – this is a MUST for students. This week will be her last – school is starting soon.
You think it’s so easy to go out and get a job – perhaps you should TALK to people who are looking. $10/hr is NOT an affordable wage. I lost my job shortly after my wife passed away and I have not been able to find another that pays what I had been earning. I lost my doctor. I lost my insurance. I can’t afford the insurance I have, but it’s mandated and I’m doing everything I can so I don’t lose my kids as well. You sir, are as out of touch with the middle class as those in the White House.
-DZ
lDarryl Z Said,
Darrly, this line says it all:
The majority of her money goes to pay her internet and cell phone expenses ets.
So this is the reason?
Keep I mind, this is $75.00 not several hundred.,
Life is about choice there is nothing wrong with a little extra work for something that is important.
Phone or after school sports?
ss
You have no idea. Any student not having internet at the fingertips is a serious disadvantage. Students connect through the internet for group and club projects. The internet is how all students do research for papers. Research papers are written on the computer and emailed to the teachers. You are completely out-of-touch if you think this is a luxury. Having a computer with internet, smart phones with data is a must. You also are very judgmental of how other people spend their hard-earned money.
All I said was there are choices
And $75.00 is doable with a little planning and extra work less then $9.00 a month.
We all have choices is all I said
I think the $75.00 is a fair price to help with after school activities
It is hard to feel sorry for someone that says they cannot afford $75.00 because their cell phone bill is to hi.
You are a master spinner, Steve Segner.
I have eaten only 2 meals the last two days and I’m hungry. I don’t have enough money to feed my family because I only earn $12/hr. I work 2 jobs. I didn’t eat so my kids would have food before they go back to school this morning. (I don’t get paid until tomorrow.) I barely have the energy to answer your insidious response.
We make sacrifices all the time. It is a higher priority that my kids have the tools available to them for the best education, which includes the internet and data for ipad (which someone gave my daughter so she could complete her homework the last school year). Since I’m not home when the kids get home, I rely on cell phones to keep in touch in case of emergency.
An additional tax of $75 can buy food, help with the utility bills, buy new shoes for my growing boys, pay to have my kid’s teeth cleaned. There’s no EXTRA $75 anywhere in my budget. Period. What part of I have to have a garage sale and sell my wife’s precious belongings – the only things we have left to remember her – so I have gas in my car that you don’t understand?
You have no idea. You have NO compassion. No one cares what you think – No one agrees with you. The only thing your accomplishing here is showing what a mean, righteous, greedy human being you are.
Besides, you’re beating a dead horse. it was such a bad idea that the $75 additional TAX was withdrawn. The end.
-DZ