By Tamsin Hurlbut
At the Feb. 15 TPA board meeting Dr. Porter reported that Tempe Prep did not qualify for results-based funding from the state.
This is the first year that this has happened. Last year’s eighth graders did not score well enough to qualify, and therefore the school will lose $99,000 this year. Dr. Porter reported that math scores especially were not proficient. He says the school is currently trying to fill a middle school math teacher position.
“Yes, the school lost out on ‘results-based funding’ that is sent to schools according to results on AZ State testing, which shows the importance of students doing their very best on these tests — AASP, AIMS, ACT, etc.,” Dr. Porter told De Equitibus. “The funds cannot be replaced and will be absorbed in the general budget.”
Dr. Porter also said that donations were lower than last year, but he hopes that community investment will go up in April. Additionally, he said that the incoming sixth grade spots are filling up and that the school has brought in more rental income than anticipated – from church rentals, the Aspire school, a youth sports league and a women’s basketball league, all renting the Evdokimo auditorium or TPA gym.
Dr. Porter also addressed traffic safety, specifically concerning the intersection of Southern Avenue and Dorsey Lane, as well as the dropoff line behind Dorsey. He said he has asked the Tempe Police Department to monitor the school during drop-off and pick-up, but the department has not consistently sent an officer.
Board member Dr. Ben Hurlbut also said that parking at Grace parking lot is a privilege, not a right, and the school should revoke people’s parking spots if they are driving dangerously. The TPA board members will discuss the issue again at their next meeting
The Parent Organization reported that its pastry morning event did not go well, but they are hopeful for future events.
The board members also made a change to the TPA Family Handbook. Dr. Porter said that middle schoolers who are online students cannot officially participate in sports. He also said that students are leaving the school and still playing on TPA sports teams. The board decided that online middle-school students will be able to play on our sports teams, but students who leave the school will not.
Dr. Hurlbut, however, brought up that some students may have extenuating circumstances that cause them to attend online. The board decided that the headmaster can review whether the student’s circumstances are negotiable.