$362,500 for Pima County leader?

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Hola,

It’s been a week that’s been too many years. Too much to talk about. We know it’s historic, tiring, complex and invigorating. Please join us tonight for a community gathering. We will share stories, and listen to and learn more about what you want, need from your scrappy local nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom. Mil gracias for making Arizona Luminaria part of your life. We are always grateful to hear from you.

In today’s newsletter:

💲Carmine DeBonis Jr.’s proposed salary is nearly 10% higher than retiring administrator Jan Lesher’s and could make him the top paid county administrator in Arizona. Supervisors ask for public feedback on DeBonis’ proposed contract. Read more.

✏️As TUSD proposes how to manage closing or merging neighborhood schools, officials seek robust public feedback. One school is already spared. Arizona Luminaria broke the district’s actions down by the numbers. Read more.

📚 Is your teen enrolled in a Pima Community College dual-enrollment course? TUSD voted on whether to pay the fee increase for district students. Read more.

Featured stories

Pima County’s incoming administrator to earn $362,500 under proposed contract

Pima County’s incoming administrator could earn $362,500 — more than $30,000 above his predecessor’s annual base salary — under a proposed contract, according to details shared with Arizona Luminaria Tuesday. […]

TUSD’s school closure and merger plan, by the numbers

An alternative education center to serve students with special needs, “secondary academies” that include grades 6-12, and career and technical education for middle schoolers are just some of the bells […]

TUSD board votes to keep Pima College dual-enrollment courses free for students

Thousands of students are affected as PCC will charge for dual-enrollment courses beginning next school year.

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Five Pima County Public Library locations are opening an extra day, expanding from five to six days. Kirk-Bear Canyon (8959 E. Tanque Verde Rd.) and Quincie Douglas (1585 E. 36th St.) libraries are now open Mondays. Joyner-Green Valley (601 N. La Cañada Dr.), Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. (7800 N. Schisler Dr.), and Dusenberry-River (5605 E. River Rd.) libraries are now open Saturdays. All of these libraries are closed on Sundays. Find their new hours and more information here.

Borderlands Theater marks a decade of its Barrio Stories productions in and about Tucson’s oldest neighborhoods with a festival 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, through Sunday, Nov. 15 at Alva B. Torres Plaza at the Tucson Convention Center. Each day includes 10- and 30-minute plays, poetry readings, mariachi concerts and heritage exhibits. Admission is a suggested $25 donation, and guided Barrio Viejo walking tours cost $20. Details.

Moving Day Tucson is a 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 walk at Reid Park, hosted by the Parkinson’s Foundation to raise $80,000 for research, care and education. Attendees can try PWR!Moves exercises, join in drumming, see an Urban Poling demonstration, take part in the community walk and meet local Parkinson’s organizations. The free event will also honor University of Arizona neurosurgeon Paul Larson. Register or learn more.

Sponsor Thanksgiving boxes: Tucson nonprofit Coaches for Charity is raising money to provide Thanksgiving meals for families at Apollo, Holladay, Mission View, Ochoa, Santa Cruz, St. John’s and Utterback schools. Each $45 donation covers a meal for one family, prepared by GAP Ministries, which teaches cooking skills to people in transition.