Education

What students say about grading their teachers

Payson School District is thinking about evaluating teachers based on children’s test scores.

Payson school district needs $2 million computer upgrade

Outdated servers, software will hinder Common Core Standards mandate

Payson Unified School District (PUSD) needs between $2 million to $3 million to rebuild its technology infrastructure, Joni de Szendeffy, director of technology, told the school board at its meeting on Monday, March 25.

Frightening failure rate

Payson schools grant helps the 35 percent of students now failing at least one class

With a stunning one-third of high school students failing at least one class, the Payson Unified School District (PUSD) has been casting about for solutions.

Students vanishing

Since 2009, the six Gila Community College (GCC) campuses have seen a 52 percent drop in enrollment at all age and credit levels.

Board rejects plea for coaches

Worried about the district’s liability, Payson High School (PHS) Athletic Director Don Heizer recently asked for additional assistant coach positions for softball and baseball — but the request never got to first base.

Tragedy on the line

Students learn toll of texting, cell phones on drivers

The cell phone rang again and again in the silence. No one answered. After minutes of silence, it rang again. Over and over and over it rang — but the hand that held the phone did not move. Tragically, its owner could no longer raise the phone to his ear. He had died in a car crash caused when he texted a message.

Blow up marshmallows and expand kids’ minds

Chemistry demonstrations turn students into teachers

Seven first grade students crowded around the table, staring intently at Payson High School (PHS) sophomore Natalia Olivares and junior Jessica York.

Sequester hitting state schools

An Arizona school superintendent said said her district has already cut 40 positions because of automatic federal spending reductions and will recommend cutting 65 more and closing three schools next year to save money.

Link of school funds to scores advances

Supporters of Gov. Jan Brewer’s performance-based education funding model for school districts and charter holders say concerns about the formula’s effects on schools in low-income areas don’t take into account the bigger picture.

Journalism scholarships offered to seniors

The Arizona Press Women are awarding two college scholarships to students interested in pursuing a career in journalism. The APW encourages students in rural towns to apply.

Carpino graduates NAU with honors

John and Luann Carpino, parents of Jessalyn Marie Carpino, are proud to announce the December 2012 graduation of their daughter from Northern Arizona University.

School board OKs ‘achievement’ administrator

Budget woes complicate effort to hire person to boost student test scores

The financially-pressed Payson School Board on Monday voted to add a director of student achievement to the staff, with a potential salary of $88,000.

Tonto Basin school head quits her job

Weatherly bows to uproar, but defends efforts to cope with mandates

Caught in a riptide between tradition versus school reform, Tonto Basin Superintendent Mary Lou Weatherly resigned from her position a short year-and-a-half into her tenure.