Let's start here:
Walker Butte in Johnson Ranch.
Children walking past sex offender, no transportation option from the school.
Now, my friend's daughter was walking to school and home alone which is not a really big issue. Considering a bus stops right around the corner but would not pick the child up, it seemed a little odd. So, in doing some research, we discovered a registered sex offender living across the street from the park next to the school. When my friend informed the school that her daughter needed to ride that bus, they refused, until she mentioned the sex offender.
Here is the interesting part - The school staff already knew. And yet, each day, children are walking past this offender's home. Do I have an issue with the bussing situation in FUSDAZ - YES.
Maybe it is because I don't like Florence. They remind me of the aliens in Independence day - They are like locust...
So, they are opportunists. So what, right?
Transportation from Florence to Poston Butte in San Tan Valley?
Florence perhaps set the boundaries maybe hoping that Florence would one day expand or something ... I have no idea when or how the boundaries were set, but the boundaries are as such:
San Tan Valley is part of the Florence Unified School district. This may be why Ben Franklin and other charters in the are are doing so well!
I called the district. As it turns out, FUSD will bus high school students from Florence to San Tan Valley. They will bus high school students from San Tan Valley to Florence. (note: As if anyone in their right mind would want to attend there!)
Now, what they will not do and has recently come to my attention is to bus students in Magic Ranch - which is between Florence High School and Poston Butte. That seems wrong.
Ok. Well, sometimes bus transportation is as dangerous as walking. But, what about that young man who moved to Magic Ranch, parents have only 1 vehicle and was told he had to attend Florence High now? Doesn't it seem wrong to bus the students all the way out in Florence but not this young man who lives in the middle.
Here is part that really upset me:
Whether San Tan Vally is incorporated or not, the school system will continue to be run under the Florence School district as San Tan Valley is "within the boundaries". How can those boundaries be changed? That is the question.
EmbezzlementThere were several instances of embezzlement or "Misuse of funds" at Walker Butte. There were policies set in place to avoid this from happening again. However, those policies were not followed and it did happen again last year.
This is what I have noticed about Florence schools:
1. No transportation when neeeded
2. Half days every other Wednesday (some exceptions)
3. Early start - as early as mid July
4. 2 week intersessions
5. Middle school and elementary transportation in Florence but not San Tan Valley
6. Rude office staff. (You... did not get an education and if you are miserable, go work away from people, especially children.)
7. Homework is all loose papers and copies
The one thing that really bothers me is the selling of items ALL THE TIME.
They sell donuts for a dollar, snow cones for a dollar, and there is always something going on where they are trying to sell students something! It's disgusting.
Children automatically go to sweep in high school, even if they are signed in by an adult.
Threatening letters
I wish I could scrounge up a letter from Florence regarding my late student. Today my son was 1 minute late. Imagine, one minute. However, I am sure to receive a letter informing me of the statute that states students can be late so many times before there may be court action.
Alright, that is interesting as Higley district informs parents that education is important and there is no mention of court, the statute etc.
What is even more interesting is that after looking at the statute, it does not apply to my 17 year old son. That's right. After 16, attendance is basically voluntary. So what in the world are they doing threatening parents.
Honestly, students need to be enrolled for so long in order for the school to get the "Credit" for that child.
Finally, there is a 50/yr insurance requirement for the $200 notebooks students are required to use. Now, I asked if I could provide a laptop for my son rather than have him use the school issued one. I was told - NO.
The notebook insurance fee is not refundable, and at the end of their time at the school, the student may NOT keep the notebook. In fact, one student did not return a notebook and the police were called and Poston Butte attempted to file a report of theft.
So, if I did not return a library book, will they call the police?
Florence schools may seem like they are up on technology, a forward thinking institution and a great school district. I would have liked to have provided more information, but their website is currently down. That is how "great" they are.
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