Thinking Outside the Box
An innovative collaboration in a West Valley school district creates a "Real Time Crime Center" partnership. Check out this week's West Valley wrap.
No rest for the weary. This is going to be a busy weekend in the West Valley.
Let’s kick off this Friday wrap with a recap of what took place at the Peoria Unified School District governing board meeting last night.
REAL TIME INTELLIGENCE
In a 5-0 vote, Peoria Unified’s governing board approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Glendale for Integration with its Real Time Crime Center. The presentation begins at the meeting video mark at 1:04:56.
According to the presentation, Glendale Police Department, “in its reasonable discretion, will access the [schools’] cameras when it deems necessary to do so”, based on “a 911 call, a RAVE Mobile Safety alert, and/or Officer Assistance Request.”
In the meeting, the enhanced communication tool was touted as “first in the state” as a supplement to school safety teams and an opportunity to grow the district’s partnership with the police deapartment.
The matter advances and will be discussed at the February 13, 2024 Glendale City Council meeting.
CAREER-CONNECTED LEARNING GROWING IN POPULARITY
CTE. Career & Technical Education is growing as a popular opportunity for students across all West Valley schools. Check out the presentation on the BUHSD agenda.
I’m beyond thrilled to see an emphasis on promotion of CTE at 8th grade visits. Prior to the pandemic, I’d say the program wasn’t well known and students may have missed a chance to enroll in CTE classes in their first couple of years in high school. Today, CTE is more known among high school students/families, and seeing increased promotion to incoming freshman is a great idea!
CTE classes may provide Dual Enrollment credits and knock off time spent in college… saving students hundreds if not thousands of dollars in their education.
Classes are run through West-MEC, which has “more than 37,000 students from 48 high schools in the northern and western cities of the Phoenix Metropolitan area.” A recent, local news organization covered West-MEC expansion in the Agua Fria Union High School District here.
“Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) and Agua Fria High School District are taking a pioneering step toward preparing students for rewarding careers.” -West Valley View | January 22, 2024
An educated workforce is vital as the southwest Valley is one of the hottest growing areas in the country. The Phoenix Business Journal reported this week about what needs to be done from a transportation standpoint to attract major employers and job opportunities in Buckeye and Goodyear, Arizona.
“The proposed 29-mile Tres Rios Freeway is set to be a transformational link and economic engine for the West Valley while also relieving the daily traffic congestion along Interstate 10.”
“In addition to creating more development opportunities, this corridor could bring more housing and other commercial assets while also keeping workers in the West Valley.” -Phoenix Business Journal | February 2024 | West Valley economic leaders align on development potential of key highway corridor
Also catching our eye on the BUHSD is agenda item 7.06: “Discussion and Consideration to Establish an Education Foundation and Create its Board of Directors for the Buckeye Union High School District.”
The Buckeye Union High School District has its monthly governing board meeting on Monday night. The consent agenda includes overnight and out-of-state travel requests and funding for those trips.
THAT’S A WRAP
Looking to get involved in your local district? The SchoolSup.org website is a good place to check for open school board seats in Maricopa County.
Here is a running tally of 2024’s 2-year and 4-year seats to be elected.
Want to know more? Contact Maricopa County School Board Election Services:
schoolelections@maricopa.gov | (602) 506-3978