1.Ê We live in a semi-arid desert.Ê Education thus becomes a top priority and water conservation is a necessity.Ê Reduced usage, increase water harvesting, recharge and preservation are critical throughout all segments of the community.
The League of Women Voters of Arizona believes that no single Òhigh-stakesÓ test (AIMS) should be the deciding factor for graduation from high school. The LWVAZ supports a diploma being awarded to students who satisfactorily complete their course work.
LWVCC WATER POLICY
2.Ê We are situated on a large aquifer. Where, when, and how we pump groundwater affects the elevation of the water table.Ê These actions will determine whether we preserve or destroy the San Pedro River and thus the continued existence of Fort Huachuca, the primary economic engine of Cochise County.
When we create cones of depression or in any way prevent water, ground water or surface water, from reaching the rivers, we threaten its existence.Ê We have the studies, e.g. the Cochise County Resource Inventory, May 2002, by the Cochise County Planning and Zoning Department, to enable us to access the aquifer where we will not create such a negative impact on the river.ÊÊ The ownership of water companies needs to be resolved as one way to manage the pumping of water.Ê It will take the will and the cooperation of the whole valley to achieve the balance of water quality, potability, an adequate water supply and the health of the Upper San Pedro Watershed.
3.Ê Planning and regulation must be in place to protect water quality and potability.
ÊThe Upper San Pedro Partnership Water Conservation Plan, Vista 2020 of Sierra Vista, and the Inter-governmental Agreements in place must be enforced.Ê The Sierra Vista and Cochise County development codes and zoning must reflect today's reality of the need to first conserve and then mitigate water use for us all.Ê The problem exists throughout the Western United States, but the preservation of the San Pedro River and the continued existence of Fort Huachuca present us with unique and specific challenges.
4.Ê There is an inherent tension between growth and quality of life, jobs and conservation.
ÊThere must be the realization that in certain areas control must be exercised or all will suffer a degradation in the quality of life and a loss of property value.Ê For our economic health we must retain Fort Huachuca, with its possible expansion, with the needed policies and actions to mitigate and blunt the impact on our valley.Ê All who live here benefit from the beauty and abundance of Cochise County and we must act to continue to reap the great income of our ecotourists.
TOP OF PAGE
LWVCC Home Page
LWVAZ HIGH STAKES TESTING CONSENSUS
The League of Women Voters of Arizona supports the use of AIMS (or other government mandated tests) for the following purposes:
¥ Identifying and alleviating studentsÕ academic difficulties, in a timely manner.
¥ Identifying necessary changes in curriculum, methods, and materials.
The League of Women Voters of Arizona believes it is important for government mandated tests to be well crafted, meaningful, and well matched with the Arizona Standards. Therefore the LWVAZ supports the following:
¥ Utilizing Arizona educators from K-12 to develop and write the questions and educators from institutions of higher learning to evaluate the tests in their areas of expertise.
¥ Validating the test to be sure they reflect the Arizona Standards and appropriate grade levels.
If Òhigh-stakesÓ testing for high school graduation continues in Arizona, the LWVAZ recognizes that provisions need to be made for those who fail. Therefore, the LWVAZ supports retesting students who fail AIMS during their high school years.
Curricula areas not specifically tested on AIMS (such as vocational/technical/career education, visual and performing arts, social studies, science, health and physical education) shall be encouraged and shall not be curtailed.
TOP OF PAGE
LWVCC Home Page