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Chandler's Intel building next top internet speed PAGE 14 Sunday, April 15, 2018
EV schools could face chaos despite Ducey plan
NEWS ............................. 3 Recess law likely to have little impact on EV grade schools
COMMUNITY ........ 12 Music teacher celebrated for 51 years of helping students
SPORTS ...................... 18 Mountain View baseball eyes first state title since 1998
(Kimberly Carrillo/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Hundreds of Mesa Public Schools teachers rallied after classes near Red Mountain High School last Wednesday as part of statewide demonstrations for more money. Tribune Report
H
undreds of East Valley teachers who started their workday last Wednesday standing on curbs with posters urging better pay and more financial support for public education may have helped force Gov. Doug Ducey's hand. But it remains unclear if his plan will prevent the waning school year from plunging into chaos. From east Mesa to west Tempe and south Gilbert to north Chandler, teachers clad in
the now-signature T-shirts of the statewide #RedforEd movement were joined by parents, administrators and governing board members near most public elementary and high schools, waving signs and chanting while passing motorists blared their horns in apparent support. The demonstrations were bookended by two moves by the governor that made for a stunning turn of events. Wednesday's protests came less than 24 hours after Ducey and leaders of two teacher groups ratcheted up their rhetoric, posing the possibility of a walkout before either side
blinked. Ducey said he wouldn’t meet with the leaders of two teacher groups, accusing them of “playing politics” and asserting that the state could only afford a 1 percent pay increase next school year – far less than the 20 percent the teachers sought. But the day after the "walk-ins," Ducey announced a plan to give them that 20 percent in three increments over the next three years – and with no tax hikle. See
PROTEST on page 4
Suicide prevention now part of state’s school safety debate BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
EVENT......................... 22 Cajun Fest brings frog legs, fried gator to Chandler
COMMUNITY..................11 BUSINESS........................14 OPINION.........................16 SPORTS............................18 FAITH................................21 CLASSIFIED....................30
A
n area legislator’s proposal to require that teachers get mandatory training in suicide prevention has been revived as part of Gov. Doug Ducey’s plan to improve school safety in Arizona schools. But Ducey’s proposal has divided Democrats and Republicans over whether its proposed limitations on gun access and possession go too far or not far enough. Hoping to corral the votes for his school safety plan, Ducey last week agreed to some
changes in key provisions that would allow judges to take away someone’s guns, at least on a temporary basis. The new bill still allows courts to issue Severe Orders of Protection, authorizing police to seize any weapons while people are evaluated to see if they are a threat to themselves or others. And, depending on a mental health evaluation, those affected could be barred from purchasing or possessing guns. But Ducey’s original proposal would have allowed someone to be held for up to 48 hours after a judge determines that person is not a danger. SB 1519, set for legislative debate, cuts
that it half. Potentially more significant, the bill spells out that any weapons taken must be released within 24 hours after a person is found not to be a danger, not the 72 hours that was in the original draft. State Sen. Sean Bowie said he was glad the bill revives his proposal for mandatory suicide prevention training. The Ahwatukee Democrat – whose district includes parts of Mesa, Chandler and Tempe – wants teachers and some support staff in See
SAFETY on page 6