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Future unsure for Esperanza

The future of the Esperanza Academy, an alternative school in Williams, is up in the air. But Kathy Perko, Coconino County Superin-tendent of Schools, told students and their parents not to worry at an information meeting held last Thursday at Williams High School.

"Bill 15-10-01 says the county board of supervisors must fund the budget of an accommodation school — it’s my favorite law," she said.Alex Rutan displays the shirt and pants students wear as a dress code at the Flagstaff Esperanza.

Perko said originally there were funds in an account to pay for the Williams program when Jac Heiss, Williams superintendent of schools, asked her to help provide a program in town.

"They had money in a fund for it, then it disappeared," she said. "The board of supervisors and I are in a little arm wrestle about this."

Three weeks is how long she told the students and parents it would take to get the funds.

"I think it will be successful," she said. "They (the supervisors) want nothing but the best for us."

The problem is there is no money said Matt Ryan, representative for Williams on the county board of supervisors.

"She doesn't have the money to fund it," he said. "She spent her budget."

Ryan said he’s not pleased that Perko is telling parents and students it’s O.K.

"I’m disappointed in the superintendent," he said.

It was three weeks ago that budget hearings for the board were held, Ryan said. He said at that time, Perko could have asked for money.

"She had the opportunity to apply for funds for Esperanza," he said. "There were no additional funds for the Williams campus."

Ryan said the money Perko was counting on is already budgeted for other school districts and approximately 20 percent of it is going to maintain roads.

"We put about 80 percent into education," Ryan said. "We’re watching our budget and we know what we have. No additional funds were set aside for Esperanza."

Parents of the 28 students who signed up to attend the Williams school hope Ryan is wrong. Perko said letters to the main office of the county board of supervisors might help.

"There is no one who cares more than you parents," she said. "We hope we can make this work."

Until final word comes down, Perko asked the Williams students to start school at the Flagstaff Esperanza. To get to Flagstaff, the students would meet at the bus barn at noon and would be dropped back off after school in the late afternoon at the same place.

Kathleen Karol, the county’s associate superintendent of schools, said it’s important students get started now.

"We’re looking into renting the Jehovah Witness building (on Rodeo Road in Williams)," she said. "Then you’ll be home in your own place, and you won't miss any school."

One last issue addressed at the meeting was the policy of a dress code at Esperanza. The Flagstaff school has a navy blue shirt and khaki pants dress code. Karol said the students in Williams will decide what they will wear.

At the end of the meeting Perko told the group to stick together.

"My office is happy to reach out to you," she said. "Each of you students deserves to have as full of an education as traditional mode."

The county superintendent of schools can be reached at 779-6591.

To contact Ryan at the county board, call 779-6764.


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