Thomas J. Pappas School
Encyclopedia
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.
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 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 in to a new facility constructed in 2004.
United Airlines
sponsored annual fantasy flight
s for students.
Severe financial issues created concern as to the future of the Pappas schools. In 2006 an investigation into certain accounting practices called in to question a number of officials related to the school. 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. Judicial intervention and an outpouring of local charity 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. 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.
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 private charter school. The Phoenix campus, once listed as a Point of Pride
by the city, was demolished in March 2011.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
area. A part of the Maricopa County Regional School District, the Thomas J. Pappas schools provided primary
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
and secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
to homeless
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
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.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 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
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
in 2001. While originally housed in a strip mall
Strip mall
A strip mall is an open-area shopping center where the stores are arranged in a row, with a sidewalk in front. Strip malls are typically developed as a unit and have large parking lots in front...
, the satellite school moved in to a new facility constructed in 2004.
United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
sponsored annual fantasy flight
Fantasy flight
Fantasy flights are charity flights operated by a host airline for locally disadvantaged and terminally ill children to fly to a fictitious destination.The destination is often the North Pole, the home of Santa Claus' workshop...
s for students.
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 in to question a number of officials related to the school. 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. Judicial intervention and an outpouring of local charity 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. 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.
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 private charter school. The Phoenix campus, once listed as a Point of Pride
Phoenix Points of Pride
The Phoenix Points of Pride are 33 landmarks and attractions within the Phoenix, Arizona, city limits that are claimed to represent the best features of the city for both residents and visitors...
by the city, was demolished in March 2011.