Weeds cover the grounds of the Apache Elementary School, and a broken school bus is the only item that indicates that it might serve children.
It was once a vibrant rural school that served most of the area’s school-aged children. Now school board members outnumber students.
It now sits as a decaying monument to a long-ago life lead by rancher families that once upon a time sent their progeny to their alma mater with pride.
Community leaders, like former school board member, Frank Krentz, say they must keep the school open; it is a matter of pride and tradition. The district, as one of the oldest in the state, has a rich history and it must stay in business, they argue.
Unfortunately, other than argue, nothing about the school inside or out indicates that Krentz and his crew of mostly elderly ranchers will do anything more than argue.
The exterior of the school would repel nearly any discerning parent. Devoid of any brightly colored welcoming signs, the red brick building looks like nothing more than an abandoned government-style outbuilding. A large carved sign next to the front door, tucked under a tin roof, is all there is to welcome parents looking for a safe and happy place for their children.
Once inside the two-room schoolhouse, the average child over the age of eight would feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. The overly cluttered walls are covered mostly with primary-level materials.
Unlike the average school in Arizona, where access to computers is limited, the students enrolled in Apache Elementary appear to have access to multiple computers and other electronic devices. Other than the electronics, nothing in the building would appeal to older students.
Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall”
Rancher Krentz was handily defeated in the 2016 Apache Elementary School District Governing Board race by laborer, Billy Grossman. However, Krentz still controls the board through his uncle, Bill Kimble, who retained his seat on the board. Kimble, a giant of a man compared to Grossman and fellow board member and laborer Mike Woods, appears to use size, and superior but limited education, to intimidate and outmaneuver Grossman and Woods.
At last Friday’s Emergency Meeting called by Grossman, Kimble was clearly in control. With Krentz sitting in the front row of child-sized seats with a small bevy of approximately seven elderly residents sitting behind him, Kimble did his family’s bidding and played to his audience.
Grossman had called the meeting for the board to consider the renewal of the contract held by teacher/principal/superintendent Palma Hudson. While many residents have urged Grossman to not renew Hudson’s contract, on Friday, Grossman proposed an expensive solution that would at least keep the Hatfield and McCoy type feud, created by Hudson and her husband over the years, from blowing up.
Among the many problems with Grossman’s plan is the small fact that the Krentz-Kimble clan seems to like the feud.
Despite the fact that the Krentz-Kimble clan view Grossman as a “damn nester;” a derogatory term used by large range land owners to describe small land owners, he was every bit the reserved gentleman on Friday when former school board president Don Kimble became unruly and called Grossman a “son of a bitch.” Grossman asked him to sit down, but he refused. Grossman finally said he would call the Sheriff if order was not restored. In response, Kimble settled down and stewed in his seat.
Grossman’s compromise included renewing Hudson’s $48,000 plus teaching contract only. A search for a part-time superintendent was approved as well. Grossman’s thinking is that if there is another adult in charge, perhaps other staff, parents, and community members might have someone to respond to their concerns.
Grossman’s solution stems in part from an ugly situation that occurred in the spring of 2016. Grossman’s wife, Anna, who had worked as the district’s bus driver for years, was forced out by Hudson.
Anna, a petite and passionate advocate for kids, had developed the trust of parents. She was viewed as a protector by parents, who had grown uncomfortable with Hudson’s rigid, and some say abusive, teaching style.
The parents, who had considered Anna an advocate for their kids, vowed never to have their kids return to the school. According to the Arizona Auditor General, the school had 6 students on the 100th day in 2016. By the end of the year, 2 students remained.
It’s not for the children
During Friday’s meeting, Grossman argued that the board had to do “something.” He pointed out that there were at least 13 children in the district. Their parents were either home-schooling their kids or sending their kids to other schools further away rather than sending them to Apache.
Grossman alluded to the fact that the board had to do something to increase enrollment or shutter the school. Either way, the status quo was simply unfair to kids and taxpayers.
Kimble, on the other hand, said he had no problem with low enrollment. As long as Hudson wasn’t raising taxes to make the school’s ends meet, he couldn’t “see why we need more students.”
Kimble was unashamed as he inadvertently revealed the simple truth; the school is not there for kids. The school provides well-paying jobs to friendly adults.
It is clear that the fight for Apache is not about kids’ it is about power and control. It is also clear that Grossman was willing to ignore the mandate from voters, and instead play nice and offer a compromise to the Krentz clan by keeping Hudson on the payroll.
Clear as day
Apparently the control they manage to maintain is not enough for Krentz and his crew; they now want to increase the number of board members from three to five. If his group succeeds in gathering enough signatures, they will force an expensive special election. If the group succeeds at the ballot box, board members will out-number students; 5:2.
A review of the 2016 Auditor General’s Arizona School District Spending Report, shows that the District cannot be sustained. In 2010, 55.8 percent of every dollar went into the classroom; by 2016 it was down to 50.4 percent.
The surrounding population has clearly rejected what the school has to offer. Without more students, there will simply not be enough money to pay Hudson and her staff much less Grossman’s superintendent.
Newly elected Cochise County School Superintendent Jacqui Clay has her job cut out for her. Her predecessor, Trudy Berry, should have closed the school last year. Because Berry didn’t want to make enemies or hard decisions the situation has only gotten worse.
Clay appeared to have been more than willing and eager to work with the both sides to find a solution. What Clay does not seem to understand, is that she, Grossman, and Woods are the only parties that seem to want to find a solution. The Krentz clan doesn’t even see that there is a problem.
Even if the Krentz clan supported a tax increase, which of course would be wholly unpopular with just about everyone else, the school cannot survive as it stands.
Clay can try to bring the parties together in order to fashion some kind of solution, but if any conversation does not include parents of potential students within the district’s boundaries, there is no point – and more importantly – no hope for the school’s future.
Whatever happens, it needs to happen soon for the sake of the two remaining students. They deserve the opportunity to find adequate educational opportunities; something they certainly have been denied this year.
Related Articles:
- Apache School District Spins Out Of Locals’ Control
- Voters Reject Apache Elementary School District Failing Status Quo
Editor’s note: This article has been revised to reflect the fact that Ms. Grossman, but chose to resign.