Bitterness remains from the closure of Big Park Community School in the Village of Oak Creek and the negotiations with the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind, which were both vocalized at the Sedona-Oak Creek School District Governing Board meeting Tuesday, June 4.
“Nobody from the public said so much as ‘hold on, let’s talk about it,’” resident Nancy Zielinski said during the public comment. “Let’s be clear. There was no input on this because there was no communication on this rental proposal. We can’t get one piece of information on one of the largest physical assets of the district.”
“I don’t think the community’s opposed to it, but I think it was very disappointing that we weren’t brought into the process and I hate to lose community support because we feel shut out,” resident Carol Fisher said.
The decision by the Arizona State School for the Blind and Deaf to rent Big Park Community School was a process that took months, the board said. ASDB had their own board to consult.
“They were looking at this as a possible location for them and they had to go through their board,” Superintendent Dennis Dearden said. “When they got to that point where they were really interested … then they asked us not to say anything or publicly release it until they were able to inform their people, so we had to honor that.”
“If you were an employee, you would not want to learn through a newspaper that you were moving, so it was really just professional courtesy and respect for that decision making process,” said Jennifer Chilton, director of operational services, who was part of the negotiations with ASDB.
“I understand its an emotional issue,” Governing Board President Randy Hawley said. “I live in the Village and I understand. I am an advocate for neighborhood schools if possible, but we couldn’t afford to maintain two small elementary schools.”
The board cannot address public comments until the next meeting.
The board also announced more specifics about the new 501(c)(3) nonprofit Sedona-Oak Creek Educational Foundation of local community members, which is “working to augment sparse state funding of public education,” according to its mission statement.
So far, $420,000 have been raised, with more than $300,000 of that coming from Mary Lalli and Bill Stankey, of Sedona. The couple started the Bridge the Gap scholarship and interviewed each of the 12 candidates.
“I’d like to say what an enriching experience this was for us … just getting to know these kids was just an incredible experience,” Lalli said. “I mean, they are all special and just bursting with potential and possibilities at this stage in their lives, and I think if I could inspire anybody else just to get to know the students, whether they can help a little or a lot, the need is definitely there.”
Their original donation sparked a $106,000 donation from one of Stankey’s friends, who wanted to remain anonymous.
“So that little spark flowed through the community, and we’ve had several calls from people who want to do the same,” Dearden said.
Such donations benefit donors, because the IRS requires persons 70½ years or older to withdraw a minimum amount from their retirement account or IRA, known as a Required Minimum Distribution. If the RMD amount is not withdrawn in time, it is taxed at 50%.
“This is attractive to some investors because Qualified Charitable Distributions can be used to satisfy required minimum distributions from an IRA without having the distribution included in their income,” said Donna Wiseman, a financial advisor and wife of board member Karl Wiseman.
Donors William and Cheryl Geffon donated $20,000 per year to honor late U.S. Sen. John McCain, of Arizona.
The Geffons previously said they hope their actions inspire other seniors in a similar situation with an RMD to consider donating the money to institutions and causes they have a passion for.
“Even though we’re funding this, we want the community to participate, too,” William Geffon previously stated. “Instead of taking that money for your personal use, if you didn’t have a need for it, we’re just going to donate it.”
Finance Director Heather Shaw-Burton announced positive budget news: For the first time in years, SOCSD will operate with a budget surplus starting Monday, July 1.
“This is the first time in many, many years that we haven’t had a deficit. There’s a lot of pluses in terms of what we’ve been able to do to save money, to make the district solvent.” Hawley said.
This is the last time meetings will be held at the Dr. Nancy Alexander Administration Building.
Due to budget cuts, the board will rent out the 8,000-square-foot building while district employees move into smaller accommodations at Sedona Red Rock High School.
The next meeting will take place at the Sedona Performing Arts Center lobby at SRRHS on Tuesday, July 2.
Don Eicher can be reached at 282-7795, or e-mail to deicher@larsonnewspapers.com
