/ Modified feb 24, 2017 5:31 p.m.

Episode 126: TUSD School Board Mulls Leadership Change

Plus, local law enforcement leaders are cutting budgets and asking for funding; high-risk areas for lead poisoning

Next week will be the third week in a row the Tucson Unified School District board meets to discuss the future of Superintendent H.T. Sanchez.

The board has been considering whether to fire Sanchez, whose contract ends in June 2018. The debate about retaining him began when the newest board member, Rachel Sedgwick, put the matter on a meeting agenda two weeks ago.

After several hours of deliberations in the past two weeks, the board has yet to take a vote on Sanchez' future.

Dylan Smith of TucsonSentinel.com explains the background, and what's at stake financially with the decision.

Also in this episode

  • Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus and Pima County Sheriff Mark Napier are facing budget challenges. Magnus is trying to convince voters to support a sales tax increase to pay for police equipment and new stations for police and fire departments. Napier is trying to cut $6 million from his department's budget. The two departments are also working together to save money on costs such as training, and on combatting the area's opioid overdose epidemic.

  • And Pima County is prone to lead exposure and lead poisoning, which are especially dangerous for children. Dr. Mazda Shirazi explains why this area is at high risk in this regard, and how health officials spot potentially harmful lead exposure.

High risk zip codes for lead poisoning in Pima County:
- Ajo: 85321
- Green Valley, Sahuarita: 85614, 85629
- Sells: 85634
- Tucson: 85701, 85704, 85705, 85706, 85710, 85711, 85712, 85713, 85714, 85715, 85716, 85719, 85730, 85735, 85736, 85741, 85745, 85746, 85750, 85756, 85757

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