District To Close 2 Schools
Thunder Mountain Middle School and Gold Canyon Elementary School to close — March override election declined by board
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
The Apache Junction Unified School District Governing Board directed Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson to further explore the possibility of closing Thunder Mountain Middle and Gold Canyon Elementary schools during its Tuesday, December 8, meeting.
  With the possibility of closing both schools, the governing board directed Wilson to also research the possibility to reconfiguring the remaining elementary schools to reflect a kindergarten through sixth grade program and to create a seventh and eighth grade junior high at Desert Shadows (now a sixth through eighth grade middle school).
  Governing board President Wendy Moore further instructed that all other areas, items and positions be examined for changes and cuts that could recover additional savings for the district that could be channeled toward more rigorous and technologically oriented academic goals.
  These directives to examine a reorganization of the school district came as board members are exploring solutions to addressing an enrollment decline, and meeting the challenge of cutting $2.4 million from the district’s 2010-2011 budget due to the defeat of the continuation of the district’s 10-percent M&O Override at the polls in November.

See A-1 and see Schools, A-5

SSAR Receives State Commendation
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
Commander Robert Cooper was presented with a joint commendation for Superstition Search and Rescue (SSAR) from the Arizona House of Representatives and State Senate for his group’s contribution to Arizona citizens, it was announced during SSAR’s Christmas party on Saturday, December 5, at the Gold Canyon Golf Resort.
  The commendation, signed by Sen. Thayer Verschoor (District 22) and Rep. Laurin Hendrix (District 22), reads, “We do commend and congratulate Superstition Search and Rescue. Your 30 years of service to the citizens of Arizona is a remarkable achievement. Your hard work and dedication on behalf of others is deeply appreciated. The Arizona House of Representatives and State Senate commends you for your service.”
  The commendation comes during a wave of change for SSAR, which worked with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years until December 1. That relationship was severed due to “personality conflicts” between the PCSO and SSAR.
  However, Cooper and guest speaker, Apache Junction Police Chief Jerald Monahan, said change is a good thing. SSAR will now focus on urban search and rescue in conjunction with the AJPD.

See A-1 and see Rescue Team, A-8

AJ Habitat Neighborhood Earns LEED Certification
Subdivision certified ‘Silver’ by Green Building Council
The 18-home Ironwood Trails Habitat for Humanity subdivision in Apache Junction has been designated by the U.S Green Building Council as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver-certified subdivision.
  LEED-certified homes comply with rigorous, technical requirements for energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, non-toxic materials and environmental performance. The homes must pass a technically rigorous verification process that includes a home energy (HERS) rating and onsite inspections.
  Construction on the neighborhood, the first LEED certified subdivision in Apache Junction, started in October 2006 and was completed in April 2009. One of the unique features of the homes is that each home has a three-kilowatt photovoltaic solar system donated by Salt River Project customers who participate in the Earth- Wise Energy program.
  The solar systems offset nearly half of each home’s energy bill and provide residents with a clean source of renewable energy. In addition to the solar installations, the homes are equipped with interior exhaust fans and energy efficient, dual-pane windows, carbon monoxide monitors, ENERGY STARrated appliances and exhaust fans over the stoves and in bathrooms.

See A-1 and see Habitat, A-9

Lady Prospectors Win Twice In Hoops
By Chuck Baker
The News
The Lady Prospector basketball squad picked up wins over Dysart and Higley this past week to improve to 7-3 on the season, counting the Queen Creek Turkey-Shoot Tournament.
   In last Wednesday’s 49-41 victory at Dysart, Apache Junction was trailing by eight points with five minutes left in regulation and fought back to tie the game, 39-39, to send it into overtime. In the extra period, the Lady Prospectors prevailed 10-2 for a big road victory.
   Sierra Aulik scored 17 of her game-high 21 points in the second half to lead Apache Junction. Diana Woodruff tossed in seven points, Jessica Iniguez scored six points, Kylie Bocskay netted four Emily McGann and Christine Medrano all tallied three points and Jade Yost added a bucket.
   In Friday’s 49-22 win over Higley, it was all Apache Junction as they jumped out to a 9-0 lead and never looked back. Bocskay tossed in 10 points to go with eight rebounds, Aulik netted nine points and added four rebounds, four steals and three assists, Yost also scored nine points, Cranmer netted seven points and had seven rebounds and three steals, Iniguez tossed in five points to go with four rebounds and four blocks, Woodruff scored four points, Medrano drained a three-pointer and Melissa Ochoa contributed a bucket and three boards.

See B-1 and see Girls, B-3