Whats your thoughts on the Pappas schools (Scottsdale: buy, school district) - Phoenix area - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

ZaVaZ · 10-31-2007, 04:50 PM

I keep hearing about these schools closing but not sure why? Kids need schools even homeless ones. I think they should keep them open. how about you?

Nice Nice Baby! · 10-31-2007, 07:29 PM

If they get a whole new administration then I could see it staying open, but I know from experience that you can name a few of them as crooks. Two of the top administrators have criminal records, multiple counts. Sandra Dowling is on trial on multiple counts the last I heard in the news. Administration is very top heavy in Arizona. It leads to more opportunities for abuse, and much abuse has been found at Pappas. Believe me, birds of a feather flock together, and you have to be a criminal to hang with that crowd.

Valley Native · 10-31-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nice Nice Baby!

If they get a whole new administration then I could see it staying open, but I know from experience that you can name a few of them as crooks. Two of the top administrators have criminal records, multiple counts. Sandra Dowling is on trial on multiple counts the last I heard in the news. Administration is very top heavy in Arizona. It leads to more opportunities for abuse, and much abuse has been found at Pappas. Believe me, birds of a feather flock together, and you have to be a criminal to hang with that crowd.

And so goes the entire public school system: crooked, abusive, wasteful, and a massive burden to taxpayers who get little in return.

Now, if I'm not mistaken, I thought Pappas was highly dependent on charitable donations. If that's true, I can't see why it should be closed down. What really should be done to make it beneficial is to turn it over to a private entity who could buy the school and let the market contribute to it via monetary/charitable donations (corporate sponsors). It can work! Many people willingly donate to charities through their jobs, and lots of revenue has been raised for various functions. Pappas should be something that people can willingly contribute to ... just like United Way, and other such organizations.

sablebaby · 10-31-2007, 10:34 PM

What a topic! Where do I start?!?!

I did my counseling internship in the Pappas Elementary school back in 04. All I can say is that is THE WORST place for any child to be!! Virtually the entire staff are mean to the children (and I mean MEAN!). All they do is yell at them and scare the living crap out of them. While I was there they had 40-50 kids in a class. It was just a holding ground for them, that's all. No learning or teaching went on in the classroom.

I felt like calling CPS on the school everyday, but I wasn't allowed. I doubt that would have done a thing anyway. There are no good reasons why these children should be segregated from regular schools. Before working there I thought the school was a wonderful thing for them, but as soon as I stepped foot on that campus I knew it should be shut down. These children are "homeless" in poor areas where going to their designated school would do no harm as they are all poor. It's not like these kids would be in PV or Scottsdale schools where they would be ridiculed.

I wrote Janet Napalitano a letter when she was sending Katrina kids there, but no response. It's incredibly political. Many people told me that I'd probably have my car bombed if I made a fuss or went to the press with my stories. Who knows? Too many crooks work there. The money doesn't go to the kids. All they crave is more press coming in to make more money. It is a disgusting place unfortunately. It's funny how you don't know until you experience it.

exit2lef · 10-31-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZaVaZ

I keep hearing about these schools closing but not sure why? Kids need schools even homeless ones. I think they should keep them open. how about you?

The kids are not going to be thrown out into the street. The intent is to educate them in mainstream schools rather than segregating them. As mentioned above, there have been a lot issues with these schools, and they are in terrible financial condition.

sun queen · 11-01-2007, 12:30 AM

I think the school is needed to service the special need of the homeless children.

sablebaby · 11-01-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sun queen

I think the school is needed to service the special need of the homeless children.

Did you read my post?

Nice Nice Baby! · 11-01-2007, 09:17 AM

The recently ousted Superintendent of Pappas, which will remain nameless at this time(Not Dowling), criminal record includes a physical assault on his ex-wife. In a previous school district he included the title of "Doctor" for himself in order to get a higher salary before Pappas in '04. Then he was forced to resign as Superintendent at that district because he never completed his doctorate, just took a bunch of bogus courses that made it appear he was getting it. Next, he stumbles upon this crowd at Pappas and we find him all over the 6:00 news last year at this time defending himself and the other top administrators. Now he tells people he is working from home! You have to be very political in that environment. The school system is so overburdened that it's easy for crooks to slip through the cracks. Once again, birds of a feather flock together. The state will shut Pappas down because it doesn't have the resources to watch these crooks. I've been told that there are similar stories going on in the State Legislature! I guess honesty doesn't pay.