A new charter high school, the Western Institute for Leadership Development, is set to open up for business in August. The Every Voice in Action Foundation is funding the school, which focuses on “academics in action.”
The Every Voice in Action Foundation funds many educational “opportunities” in Arizona, including the student walkout at the University of Arizona under the direction of Roberto “Dr. Cintli” Rodriguez. According to an email “Dr. Cinlti” send out to solicit donation in support of his “Walkout” event on May 3, “We have received a small grant from the Every Voice in Action Foundation to put on this event, plus, I have access to the UA Foundation grant monies donated by supporters.” (see email below)
The 10 acre complex at 1300 S. Belvedere Ave., and will serve grades 9 and 10 this coming school year. According to the Arizona Daily Star, “grades 11 and 12 will be added over the next two years. Capacity will be 450 students.”
According to their website, the Every Voice In Action Foundation’s “current mission statement was formulated: to ignite and support Youth Voice, infusing the community with the unique perspectives of young people. We are now taking a more active role in supporting youth as they advocate for themselves and their own issues in schools and government, media, and non-profit organizations.”
“In alignment with this emphasis, and articulating it in a profound way that resonates with everyone at the Foundation, the 16 members of Youth Crew X defined their mission as follows: “to create the change we want to see through passionate, youth driven projects, thereby inspiring youth activism and ultimately changing the role of youth in our community.”
The President and CEO of Every Voice in Action is Judith Anderson, Ph.D. Anderson “is responsible for program direction and administration at the Foundation. She received her M.A. in digital media studies from the University of Denver and Ph.D. in communication from the University of Arizona. Previously, she worked as an educational consultant, then co-founded and served as CEO of a non-profit corporation devoted to empowering youth through digital storytelling and media activism.”
The Arizona State Board for Charter Schools issues charters to schools in Arizona. It was created through legislation in 1994 (A.R.S. § 15-182). This board is comprised of the Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee, six members of the general public one of whom shall reside on an Indian reservation, two members of the business community, 1 charter school operator, 1 charter school teacher, and three non-voting advisory members of the legislature.
Just last month, State Senator Lori Klein attempted to stop the politicization of Arizona classrooms and the use of children for political purposes. SB1202 prohibited the use of classrooms and students to promote the partisan political agendas of political predators. The legislation would have prevented partisans, including both progressive and conservative activists from creating activists for their particular cause.
“I am very surprised and appalled that the State Board for Charter Schools would give a charter permit to a school that so blatantly has an agenda to create an army of “community organizers” with a political agenda whether it be on the left or the right. There is no place for partisan indoctrination in our K-12 schools our whole focus should be education and preparing our young people to be upstanding citizens,” offered Senator Lori Klein.
— Original Message –
From: Roberto Rodriguez [mailto:rodrigu7@email.arizona.edu]
Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2011 8:40 AM
To: XXXXXXXXXSubject: Assistance needed: May 3rd with Paula Crisostomo of WALKOUT!Dear colleagues: April 28, 2011
Saludos
As you no doubt are aware, we are not only living outrageous times in Arizona,
But we are also in the epicenter of an incredibly dynamic human rights struggle
that has birthed a powerful organizing effort, primarily by students here in
Tucson. We all witnessed this at the School Board meeting this week
as students, led by UNIDOS, refused to allow the board to dismantle Mexican
Amewrican Studies-TUSD.
Earlier in the semester, my students elected to bring Paula Crisostomo, one of
the original and key organizers of the Los Angeles Walkouts of 1968
to campus this May 3, 2011. She was the central figure in the movie WALKOUT!
On May 3, she will be at the UA main library ? exhibit area ? from 11-12:15.
She will then go to Tucson High School to witness for herself the Raza Studies
classes threatened with elimination. At 6pm, the movie WALKOUT! Will be
screened and afterwards, UNIDOS organizers will dialogue with Paula and the
audience re both WALKOUT! And the current struggle in Arizona.
We have received a small grant from the Every Voice in Action Foundation to put
on this event, plus, I have access to the UA Foundation grant monies donated by
supporters. We still need a little more. Hoping you might consider sending
along $25, $50 or $100 to make the event successful.
Many of you have supported similar efforts in the past so I thank you in
advance. If you can send a donation, send it in the name of: UA Foundation? But mail it
to me:
Roberto Rodriguez
Department of Mexican American and Raza Studies
Cesar E. Chavez Bldg.
PO POX 210023
Tucson, AZ 85721-0023
520-626-0824
?Please call if any questionsand encourage your students to attend either the
Library event or the screening as it will be a historic moment. There will also
be a lunch and dinner where you may get an opportunity to assist if you wish.
Thanks and sincerely,
According to the Arizona Corporation Commission, the Every Voice in Action Foundation’s Officers and Directors are:
Chairman: Scott Lunn, Consultant
President: Judith Andersen, Consultant
Treasurer: Trey Spiece, Student U of A masters of accounting
Secretary: Jose Hoyos Ballesteros, Student
Student Directors: Maggie Gedebou, Community Transitions Programs TUSD, Celestino Fernandez, Sociology Professor at U of A since 1979, Rofaidah Al-Shamiri, Student at Pima Community College, Medical Practice, Daniel Arellano, Law Student U of A