During the Sierra Vista Unified School District’s board meeting April 19, SVUSD superintendent Dr. Eric Holmes made a presentation to address concerns raised about the district’s new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum — as members of the public have previously made accusations that the curriculum contains instruction on Critical Race Theory (CRT).

“This year, we’ve had several community members who participated in the process — a larger number than we normally have — and that’s a good thing,” said Holmes during last Tuesday’s board meeting. “The district requested and received written assurance from the publisher of the curriculum that its materials do not incorporate Critical Race Theory.”

According in a letter drafted by the superintendent dated April 14, the district asked and received written statements from McGraw Hill — the publisher of the new ELA curriculum — that CRT is not included in the curriculum. Holmes reiterated this statement in last Tuesday’s meeting.

However, some members of the public were still not convinced.

Kim Depue, a member of the public, said during the public comments section of the meeting that she is alarmed of how “America’s educational culture was changing from opportunity and merit to equity and social justice.”

“We must stop this trend, jump out of the boiling pot and slowly turn back to traditional teaching methods,” said Depue.

To learn more, check out our coverage at www.myheraldreview.com.

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As vandalism happens at a school, what are the consequences? How does a school district go through the process from investigation to incrimination? How does the court take it from there?

On Jan. 16, 2021, two juveniles vandalized Huachuca Mountain Elementary School, destroying the school’s fire suppression system, shattering windows and doors, breaking computers and TVs.

Sierra Vista Unified School District Public Information Officer Valerie Weller said the cost of damage to the school was about $80,000. Weller said that due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the district cannot comment on the disciplinary action that was taken against the juveniles involved.

Deputy Cochise County Attorney Doyle Johnstun said in an email the juveniles were charged with aggravated criminal damage because they damaged a school and noted that this type of charge also applies to damage to a church or a cemetery.

“The juveniles had a disposition — which is the (juvenile) equivalent of sentencing, and they were placed on juvenile probation,” said Johnstun. “The parents paid $18,000 restitution, which was the school district’s insurance deductible.”

To learn more about what actions SVUSD has taken since to prevent future vandalism cases, check out our feature at www.myheraldreview.com. 

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A Sierra Vista Unified School District student caused alarm last Friday morning by bringing a BB gun to Carmichael Elementary school.

Cpl. Scott Borgstadt, community resource officer and public information officer for the Sierra Vista Police Department, said that SVPD was called by the school at 8:45 a.m. and an officer was dispatched.

Borgstadt said the potential weapon was identified as a BB gun and was located in the student’s backpack. He said there was no school lockdown or injuries reported.

For more information, check out our coverage HERE.

Six Buena High School marketing students qualified to compete in the Distributive Education Clubs of America International Career Development Conference on April 23-26 in Atlanta.

The ICDC allows DECA students to compete and showcase their research and knowledge of business management, marketing and entrepreneurship as well as take courses in leadership and management.

“There’s an individual series event — which are the most well-attended events — that’s where one student solves a real-world business problem in front of a judge,” said Buena marketing teacher and DECA advisor Bill Conroy. “And there’s also business operations research projects where you’re given time to prepare and research things and then present it to a judge.”

Conroy said four of his marketing students —Shayan Khan, Julian McDowall, Joseph Wallace and Anneliese Traugutt — are competing in the individual series competition. Victoria “Tori” Kemnitz and Jenny Ou will be attending ICDC’s Elevate Emerging Leader Conference.

Interested in learning more about Buena's DECA students' research? Check out our podcast episode on the Daily Chirp at www.myheraldreview.com/podcasts and our article at www.myheraldreview.com.

What are your thoughts about this? Share them with your NABURs below!