Sahuarita Set to Decide on Trash Mandate Amid Columnist’s Apology for CatFoot Cheerleader Joke

The Sahuarita Town Council is set to vote on a proposal that would designate a single trash provider for the majority of residents in the town. The proposal includes new penalties for noncompliance, which could result in fines up to $2,500 for repeated violations within a 24-month period.

If approved, Waste Connections of Arizona will be awarded a contract for town-wide waste collection, starting September 1. Homeowners and owners of larger rental properties will be required to participate, although homeowners associations with existing agreements for trash service will be exempt if they meet certain conditions before the contract begins on January 27.

While many residents currently use private trash services, council members highlight the need for a universal collection system due to perceived gaps in the current system. However, the council is not voting on specific fees but rather granting itself the authority to set those fees later, raising concerns about potential future costs for residents.

The Town of Sahuarita, established in 1994, is navigating new ventures into waste collection and water management. In recent years, it has engaged private companies, like Global Water Resources, to manage its services, citing the prohibitive costs of acquiring equipment for municipal operations.

In another development, the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) is preparing to discuss its annual desegregation report during an upcoming Governing Board meeting. Initially placed under federal desegregation orders in 1974, TUSD was released from federal oversight in 2022, though a desegregation tax remains in effect to fund ongoing programs.

The report indicates that 10 of the district’s 12 magnet schools are now integrated, a notable achievement given TUSD’s diverse student population, which is primarily Latino. The report’s tone suggests continuity in existing programs rather than significant changes. It reiterates ongoing initiatives such as site visits and workshops for staff while highlighting improvements in student participation in extracurricular activities, which reached 12,269 students this year.

Notably, while the school’s discipline rates have risen, responses indicate a robust effort to maintain and improve educational standards. Amidst these findings, TUSD is also experimenting with a K-6 educational model, with preliminary results indicating modest gains in student performance.

The Amphitheater Unified School District is facing a projected loss of nearly $4 million due to declining student enrollment numbers. With a narrowly defined budgeting process, this decline impacts future state aid. The district is set to discuss its current financial trajectory during its board meeting.

On a lighter note, Vail Unified School District has introduced new literature to its high school curriculum, featuring diverse voices such as Jocko Willink and George Takei. These selections aim to provide students with varied perspectives while aiming to foster a richer educational experience.

Additionally, the Flowing Wells Unified School District will expand its junior high curriculum with new courses, including beginning choir and a STEAM class, which incorporates arts into traditional STEM subjects. Such initiatives highlight an ongoing effort to innovate and engage students in creative learning.

In local redevelopment news, the Rio Nuevo Multipurpose Facilities District Board will review multiple projects aimed at revitalizing key areas in Tucson, including updates about the expansion of community facilities and the objectives for enhancing local aesthetics. Efforts to create a post-World War II architectural theme along the Sunshine Mile are also under discussion.

The Catalina Foothills High School district will address academic standards, proposing grade point averages to recognize high-achieving students while examining the implications of the state legislature’s funding challenges. Discussions will also reflect on the ongoing impact of universal vouchers on public school budgets.