1916 Your Hometown Newspaper 2012 Ajo, Pima County, Arizona Wednesday, December 12, 2012 Volume 89, Number 14, ©2012 School attendance is up; physics club & textbooks okayed The Ajo Unified School Board met last week in its scheduled study and regular sessions. In his report, Superintendent Robert Dooley told the board that at- tendance figures at the school are more than 91%, a nearly 10% growth since the 2010-11 school year. He attributed the increase to more con- sistent discipline and a reinvigoration in the student/ classroom dynam- ic. In a presentation on a new 7th and 8th grade math curriculum, Mercy Arancon described that reinvigoration elegantly: “We must give mean- ing to every lesson.” On a less-positive note following a study session presentation on AIMS projections based on pre-testing, Dooley told the board that if the data has not improved by the end of February, some changes may be expected. “If we don’t see pattern-changing that is good for the kids, we may do some shifting.” This subject will be covered more estensively in a future Ajo Copper News story. Dooley also reminded the board that the school’s Christmas program will take place in the Dicus Auditorium on Thursday, December 13, and that the last day of school before winter break will be Friday, December 21. Senior Jennifer Guthrie offered a detailed PowerPoint description of The finishing touches are being applied to the 55 Sahuaro housing project built to provide the planned senior trip to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, next May. housing for US Immigration & Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents and their families. The class has already raised more than $5000 towards the program, and Project manager Robin Coachman anticipates a public unveiling of the facility in late January. anticipates raising another $1000-$1500 between now and then. Teacher and audience member Dave Emmers asked for clarifica- ACC upgrade, school, CofC were WPCCC topics tion on fundraising efforts being undertaken with regard to augmenting The December meeting of the closed for about four months, with Thursday, December 13, and school athletics. Business manager Patti Spencer explained that funds Western Pima County Community an anticipated reopening around recommended everyone attend raised through various efforts could be used for general purposes to Council was held last Thursday June 15. Most PCNRPR pro- because of the treat of watching support all sports, that those given in the tax-credit program could, if with topics of discussion includ- grams will continue in the annex kids that age sing or play an in- not specified, also go to the general athletics program, and that desig- ing Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteer on Esperanza Avenue just west strument. The student council has nated tax credits could be assigned to district-approved extracurricular programs, Pima County reno- of the Curley complex. He said it undertaken a toy drive.. programs, including sports. vation of the Ajo Community will be necessary to close the ex- Individual results of recent In the regular session, the board approved the employment of Arnold Center, local deputy news and ercise room during the renovation. AIMS testing are back and be- Semilla as night-time custodian, and the adoption of a new middle- Border Patrol agent news, Ajo New locations for some programs ing reviewed. A new standard of school math textbook, following Arancon’s presentation at the study school programs, Ajo District such as Senior Nutrition are being testing will begin two years from session. The board also okayed the formation of a physics club, over- Chamber of Commerce news, and sought and will be announced in now, according to Dooley. He seen by science and physics teacher Gilbert Gabriel, and its designation the WPCCC election for represen- the Ajo Copper News and posted said MAP, or Major Academic as a tax-credit recipient. Junior Anna Rodriguez said that one of the tatives of odd-numbered districts. at the community center when Project, testing is getting started goals for the club would be to build and launch a rocket, planning its Council secretary Lil Jones locations are established. Vaughn and is patterned after diagnostic design, trajectory, and meet payload requirements. If successful, said noted that the minutes of last asked that anyone call the office testing used in the medical field. Rodriguez, club participants could have the chance to participate in a month’s meeting are on file at at 387-6641 if they have ideas for Ajo High School students recent- national competition. the library and may be viewed at new locations. Sports programs ly took standard military entrance As a formality, the board approved an unfunded 2013 capital plan www.wpccc.info online. will continue in Walker Park. exams. Dooley noted that tax required by the state’s school facilities board. Dooley also informed the Tom Schnell, director of the Sgt. Michael Seeley of the Pima credit donations may still be made board that he is working with representatives of the teachers’ association, SAV program in the Ajo District, County Sheriff’s Department Ajo to the school before December 31. Spencer, and principal Brian MacKenzie to develop parameters for talked about recent scams and District gave an update on local Bety Allen, director of the Ajo the 2012-2013 Proposition 301 Plan which provides incentive pay to how to avoid them. He said the deputy news. He said three newly CoC, discussed the new website teachers. The plan, he said, will be presented at the board February vast majority of scams can be trained deputies began patrol du- for the chamber of commerce, 13, 2013, meeting. The board also approved the first revision to the prevented if people would hang ties in Ajo on November 14. One which may be visited at www.ajo- district’s 2012-13 budget. The original budget was adopted on July 2, up on unsolicited phone calls and veteran deputy will return for duty chamber.com online. 2012, based on estimated and anticipated amounts for salaries, federal delete unsolicited e-mails. He in Ajo on December 1 after a mili- Rick Shumway talked about a and state grant funding, as well as the 2011-12 ending cash and budget added that it is important to shred tary assignment. Seeley said a de- new non-profit, Life Enrichment balances. old paperwork containing person- tective in Ajo will be rotated back Organization. Jose Castillo asked The board also took action to revise its naming policy, removing the al information such as financial to Tucson soon. that people donate to the Knights requirement that an individual must be deceased before a facility can be and medical records and credit Kelly Graham, US Border of Columbus donation drive. named in his or her honor. card statements. Schnell said the Patrol agent assigned to the Ajo Castillo said the KofC spent Following the public session Wednesday, the board recessed into community is doing a great job Station, reported on local agent $5000 last year on Ajo projects. executive session for the evaluation of the superintendent and other supporting the SAVs through the news. WPCCC members who had personnel issues. donation program. Anyone inter- attended the recent grand open- WPCCC elects ested in becoming an SAV may ing of the new USBP Ajo Station call 387-8531. commented on the state-of-the-art new councilors Deb Miller of Pima County facility. Graham said he appreci- An election of new council- Supervisor Sharon Bronson’s of- ated the comments and would pass ors was held at last Thursday’s fice talked briefly about the coun- them along. He reported that Ajo meeting of the Western Pima ty’s Community Development Station agents had been involved County Community Council. Block Grant program, noting that in three significant marijuana sei- Representatives for odd-num- representatives from the CDBG zures over the past three weeks, bered districts were elected. department would give a presen- keeping an estimated $2 million in New councilors are Andrew tation at next month’s WPCCC drugs off the streets. Responding Sisk, who will represent WPCCC meeting. She added that she would to a question about a shooting inci- District 5 – Five Acres; Freeman not be able to attend the January dent last week involving a Border Fry, who will represent District 7 meeting. Patrol agent near Gila Bend, – Lukeville; and Tina West, repre- senting District 9 – At Large. Robert Vaughn, local man- Graham said it involved an agent Paul Vasquez will remain the ager of Pima County Natural from Yuma Sector and the case is representative for District 1 – Resources, Parks and Recreation, under investigation. The only in- Downtown, Lil Jones for District discussed progress on the upcom- formation he had so far was that 3 – Midtown, and Tony Montez ing community center renova- no Ajo Station agents were hurt in for District 11 – At Large. tions. Lighting, window repairs, the incident. Representatives of even-num- air conditioning installation, in- AUSD superintendent Dr. bered districts are Ken Freese terior painting, duct work, roof Robert Dooley said a new sci- for District 2 – Eastside, Carol repairs, floor replacement, and ence club has been approved by Yokum for District 4 – Gibson, other projects will be addressed the school board. Teacher Kiran and Arlene Dreste for District 10 Butters is a 1-year-old male terrier mix described by Pima beginning late January or early Beharie will organize a science – At Large. Animal Care Center staff as energetic. He and other four-footed February, according to Vaughn. and math fair for grades 4 and 5. District 6 – Why, and District friends are available for adoption at PACC on Well Road.