ARIZONA SCHOOL TAX CREDITS: AN IMPORTANT REMINDER
Patagonia taxpayers can take a tax credit of up to $200, or $400 if filing jointly, for contributions paid to our schools to support extracurricular activities. The contributions go directly to the school, and can be designated for athletics or band at either the elementary school or the high school—or to help support the community pool. Anyone who owes state income tax can claim the school tax credit, for any amount up to the totals above. You do not have to live in the Patagonia School District to make this donation.
To receive this credit, you must send in your payment, together with a brief form provided by the school district or the Montessori School, by December 31. Information and forms were mailed out to residents last month. If you need a form, contact the Regional School office, at 394-3000 or the Montessori School at 394-9530.
UPCOMING CONTRACT RENEWAL
The contract of Superintendent and Principal Denise Blake expires at the end of the year. School Governing Board President Fred Sang believes the contract will be renewed, citing Blake’s progress thus far in bringing up academic scores and improving the physical plant. He added that he doesn’t foresee that Blake’s double-duty role as both superintendent and principal will change, as financially this is a good arrangement for the school system, but added that Blake is handing over more of her principal responsibilities to Jerome Rhoades, who is currently Dean of Students.
JUNIORS WIN A TRIP TO THE CAPITAL
Grace McGuire and Savannah Foster have won a trip to Washington D.C. The PUHS juniors were two of 600 students who participated in a competition sponsored by Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative. The competition, which took place in Benson, required them to pass a test, then write an essay. If their essay was accepted, they moved up to the semi-final round, which meant six more hours of testing and individual interviews. McGuire and Foster got through all this and were then asked to write a persuasive essay. Of the 600 students, 18 semi-finalists were selected. Of these, 12 finalists, including Grace and Savannah, will be traveling to Washington D.C. in June 2014. PRT will have more on this story in our next issue. Congratulations to these two outstanding students!
NEW BOARD MEMBER ON THE HORIZON
The Patagonia Regional High School Board has been short one member since the last Governing Board election. According to Fred Sang that empty seat may soon be filled, and he looks forward to having a full roster because it’s often difficult, especially in the summer, to have a quorum. Sang said they had received a “letter of interest” from someone in the community. County School Superintendent Alfredo Velasquez will have to approve the applicant, which Sang says should happen in the next few weeks.