Thomas J. Pappas School

The Thomas J. Pappas Schools were a series of related alternative schools located in the Phoenix, Arizona area. A part of the Maricopa County Regional School District, the Thomas J. Pappas schools provided primary and secondary education to homeless children in the area. They were named for Thomas J. Pappas, a prominent Phoenix businessman known for his strong support of homeless causes, who died in 1989. The schools closed in 2008 following several years of controversy and legal issues surrounding the schools' administrator, Sandra Dowling, the Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools.

History

The early beginnings of the school can be traced to a volunteer effort by Phoenix firefighters in 1989 to provide tutoring classes to local homeless children. Originally held in a shelter and later moved to a hotel, the first classes were attended by only 8 students.[1]

In an effort to determine whether the small effort could be expanded into an official program, city officials contacted Sandra Dowling. Anticipating the potential growth of the program, Dowling founded the 'Thomas J. Pappas School in 1990 and funds were allocated for the development of an official curriculum and school facilities. A former car dealership was purchased and renovated, becoming the first school for the homeless children in Phoenix.

In response to growing attendance a new school was constructed in 1997[2] and the existing building was converted to a middle school. The concept was further expanded by the founding of the Tempe Thomas J. Pappas Elementary School in nearby Tempe in 2001. While originally housed in a strip mall, the satellite school moved into a new facility constructed in 2004.

United Airlines sponsored annual fantasy flights for students.[3][4][5]

Financial issues and closure

As alternative schools that did not operate under established geographical school districts, the Thomas J. Pappas schools never enjoyed funding from a traditional school tax district. The Maricopa County Schoolhouse Foundation was established as a charitable foundation to organize fundraising activities to support the schools.

Severe financial issues created concern as to the future of the Pappas schools. In 2006 an investigation into certain accounting practices called into question a number of officials related to the school.[6] The investigation resulted in the ouster of the district's leadership, creating concerns as to the future of the schools. Funding concerns forced teachers to work without pay for some time, and a plan to absorb the schools into existing districts created concern that the schools were facing closure.[7] Judicial intervention and an outpouring of local charity [8][9] secured the schools for a brief time.

Questions regarding the school's financial stability continued well into 2007. In spite of financial help from outside sources the school continued to operate at a deficit, and by October had racked up a debt of an estimated $2.9 million. Attempts to solve the school's financial woes did not succeed, and on October 18, 2007, a settlement was approved that would require the closure of all 3 Pappas schools by June 30, 2008.[10] Students attending Pappas schools were expected to register at more traditional schools following the closure date.

Dowling decided not to run for re-election as county schools superintendent in the wake of the Pappas Schools controversy and her ongoing related legal issues.[11]

Dowling was eventually cleared of all charges. She is currently suing Maricopa County for bringing false charges against her.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors closed the Thomas J. Pappas Schools in 2008. The Tempe campus presently houses a public charter school. The Phoenix campus, once listed as a Point of Pride by the city, was demolished in March 2011.

External links

References

  1. ↑ The Maricopa County Schoolhouse Foundation "Pappas Kids"
  2. ↑ Phoenix Points Of Pride
  3. ↑ Pfleger, Ryan (2007-04-14). "Fantasy Flight, A Holiday Charity for Kids!". YouTube. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  4. ↑ "ANOTHER MEMORABLE FANTASY FLIGHT THANKS TO THE EMPLOYEES OF UNITED AIRLINES, COMMERCE BANK AND CHILDREN'S HOSPICE INTERNATIONAL" (PDF). Alexandria, Virginia: Children's Hospice International. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  5. ↑ "United Airlines Fantasy Flight - It's Time to Fly". Phoenix, Arizona. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  6. ↑ Pat Flannery (2006-01-27). "Financial probe of superintendent criticized as politics". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
  7. ↑ Jahna Berry (2006-12-01). "Pappas teachers to get paid". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
  8. ↑ Drefs, Shea (2007-03-03). "Chaparral junior is gathering 1,000 books for Pappas schools". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
  9. ↑ Koeppel, Geri (2006-09-05). "Boy launches venture to aid homeless kids". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
  10. ↑ Wingett, Yvonne; Michael Kiefer (2007-10-18). "All 3 Pappas schools for homeless to close". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  11. ↑ Kiefer, Michael; Meghan Moravcik (2008-06-08). "Beleaguered schools superintendent won't run again". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2008-07-31.