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Higley K-3 override is defeated

November 4, 2009, 9:45 am

Based on early results it looks like the K-3 override was defeated yesterday. Not a lot of votes total but nearly 2/3 of them were No votes.

Based on the current economy I can’t say that is too surprising.

Category: News  |  Comment (RSS)

6 Comments

  1. azfam:

    If you check HUSD’s website under employment, you will see two director positions open. One is a new position, and one is a replacement position for someone they fired for no apparent reason other than Birdwell’s own paranoia….

    November 5, 2009, 12:17 am

  2. Pamela:

    If you notice on East Valley Tribune, there is an article about the override that did not pass. There is quite a bit of information on there and people discussing this exact situation. How can we afford to bring on TWO additional directors. We created new director positions in June, hired people in as director 1 and within 2 months, gave them an increase and a title of director 2.

    The current openings are for an IT director and a Community Education Director. What happened to the previous IT director and entire IT team? Is there nobody that has proven themselves that deserves a promotion from within? As for the Community Education opening, we had a wonderful person in that position in 2009 that was demoted and moved to another campus and brought in a supervisor to deal with those duties. I am now viewing the job requirements and duties and this is the exact responsibilities of the person currently doing the job. Is this person just going to slide into the new director position? Why bother posting positions if you are going to pick who you want anyhow and not the most qualified?

    November 5, 2009, 9:08 am

  3. azfam:

    Thats the way Birdwell works. The majority of her new hires are friends or family members. She creates positions, and then strategically places her “followers” in those spots. She seems to be telling us that HUSD has money to keep hiring district level employees, but there is no need for, or money for extra staff at the schools? Then why did she ask for an override? Birdwell seems to make no sence whatsoever, and the schools and the kids are the ones paying for her foolishness. I am so fed up with HUSD leadership and the board. I wish my kids attended a different school district.

    November 5, 2009, 7:52 pm

  4. Pamela:

    I have been giving it some thought and our household is considering calculating the amount that we would have paid in taxes, had the override passed and donating that amount to our childrens teachers in a giftcard for supplies. We believe this way it will actually be used for the classroom, for items that are needed and there is no chance of Dr. Birdwell getting her hands on it. Perhaps, it will inspire others to do the same.

    November 5, 2009, 8:12 pm

  5. Pamela:

    Can someone please explain to me how the district can afford to hire more people? As noticed today, HUSD currently has openings for 22 different positions in just the classified area of their website. They recently hired a new Director of Community Education ( a position in which was just eliminated a year ago to save money) and the ENTIRE IT department that was “reorganized” must reapply for their positions…Considering most of this department walked out early this fall, wouldn’t they cherish and thank those that did not walk? Where is the funding coming for all these new positions? What are they thinking????? Sorry HUSD, don’t ask me for another dime.

    November 25, 2009, 7:47 pm

  6. AZFAM:

    I had the same questions, Pamela.

    November 27, 2009, 8:12 pm

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