Bug Eatin’ and Nudist Colony’n: Another Totally Normal Peoria Unified School Board Meeting

Posted on by Jeanne Casteen, Secular AZ Executive Director

Image of Jesus with thumbs up saying Cool StoryJust when I think things can’t get any weirder…

This week’s Peoria (PUSD) meeting was…indescribable. But I know y’all are counting on me to describe it, so I’ll do my best.

And if you’re reading this, but you don’t have a paid subscription, help a sister out and upgrade your subscription to “paid” and support the work we do because I’m nearly positive that attending and monitoring these meetings is bad for my health.

This evening, there was a celebration of student artists in PUSD, so the meeting opened by highlighting the hard work of these students and their teachers. Once board reports were over (WITHOUT any complaints or bastardized versions of the district motto “every student, every day…” so that was a nice change), President Sandoval *wisely* encouraged all award recipients and their families that “now is a good time to leave” right before public comments. Agreed, Prez, those kids definitely didn’t need to be exposed to what came next.

Read the rest of this post on Secular AZ’s Substack. 

Three Stooges Skit or DVUSD Study Session: Why Pick Just One?

Posted on by Jeanne Casteen, Secular AZ Executive Director

Black and white image of Curley of the Three Stooges

Happy September, Secular Fam! We are one month into the school year here in Arizona, and the school board meetings for this 2023-2024 school year have thus far consisted of conspiracy theories, racism, bad boardsmanship, and bigotry.

Today, I’m offering up a recap of a study session in Deer Valley (DVUSD). For those who may not be up to snuff on all things School Board, a study session is a public meeting where school boards and staff can discuss issues happening in their district to learn more about them (hence the word “study”).

During my time on a local school board, we had study sessions about school safety, strategic planning, and board member behaviors. I’m a big fan of study sessions, and always welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with fellow board members.

Click here to read the rest of this post on Secular AZ’s Substack. 

 

 

Secular Activist Lady Goes to the Peoria City Council Meeting

Posted on by Jeanne Casteen, Secular AZ Executive Director

You know, I have friends who basically only focus on national and international politics, and sometimes when they share the latest headlines with me, they’re surprised at my ignorance of whatever said headline was.

But that’s because I’m HYPER focused on what happens in my own backyard.

I believe we all should be.

So that’s why, this week, I decided to take a detour off the beaten path of school board meeting monitoring to talk about what’s going on with the Peoria City Council. Anyone who reads this Substack knows how deeply I care about public education. I care so deeply, I subject myself to board meetings all across Arizona.

Click here to read the rest of this post on Secular AZ’s Substack. 

 

 

Peoria Unified Board Members Attempt to Whitewash History

Posted on by Jeanne Casteen, Secular AZ Executive Director

It was just the second Thursday of the month, so you know what that means! That’s right! The Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) governing board circus meeting was back in session!

Not only did I attend the PUSD board meeting, I also attended the Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) board meeting on 8/8/23. PLUS, I also watched Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD), Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD), and Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) online.

It’s… a lot.

Click here to read the rest of this post on the Secular AZ Substack.

No Scriptures This Week, But Still Plenty of Nonsense

Posted on by Jeanne Casteen, Secular AZ Executive Director

It’s the Monday after a Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) Governing Board meeting, so you know what that means… That’s right! I am reliving the hellscape that has become the biweekly meeting happening in the West Valley.

Buckle up, Buttercup, because it was one wild ride of procedural missteps, white supremacy, and fake electors (OH MY!).

The meeting started with a very normal public hearing about the budget. Despite attempts by white Christian nationalist board members to make everything seem like a conspiracy while they whine and cry about the lack of transparency in our public schools, every public district must make their budgets public. Interestingly enough, the same cannot be said for private schools where the students aren’t tested, the curriculum doesn’t require approval, and administrators can deny admission or employment for any reason at all.

And don’t even get me started on the lack of accountability for homeschoolers.

Continue reading this article on Secular AZ’s Substack. 

 

Elect Clowns, Expect a Circus: Shenanigans at the Paradise Valley Unified School District Board Meeting

Posted on by Jeanne Casteen, Secular AZ Executive Director

I know I’ve been focused on the Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) meetings lately, and that’s because the repeated violations of the Establishment Clause by sitting board members  warrants the attention of Secular AZ.

But!  Whether scripture is explicitly being read at meetings by board members or not, there are a lot of Christofascists who are elected or who are showing up at school board meetings all over Arizona.

Our local school boards are the heart of our democracy, and I’ve started tracking what’s happening at these meetings as much as I am able. I submit myself to this torture so that Secular AZ members and the public know what is going on in their own backyards… and so Arizonans can make informed decisions in the 2024 election and vote for candidates who support our secular schools and government.

So without any further adieu, let’s make like MC Hammer and break it down!

Click here to read the rest of this post on Secular AZ’s Substack. 

“It’s God’s Words, Not Mine”: PUSD School Board Member

Posted on by Linsay

Peoria…I wish I knew how to quit you.

But there are just so many reliably WRONG things happening at your meetings every other week, and our members deserve to know about them. So buckle up, throw some Bailey’s in your coffee, and let’s break it all down.

Because this last meeting was a doozy.

And be sure to check your emails in the coming days, because on my way to the PUSD meeting, I was listening to public comments at the Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) board meeting, and as soon as my stomach can handle it, I’ll be writing a breakdown of their Thursday meeting, where the tinfoil hat brigade was in full force.

Also, School Districts! Could you stop having your meetings on the same nights? Kthxbye.

Let’s get this (horrible, nightmarish) party started!

Click here to read this rest of this post on Secular AZ’s Substack