We
are in the national news again. Arizona is 48th in per student funding, spending
almost $3500 less than the national average, according to the most recent Census
data.
The
New York Times reports that 41 of Arizona's 230 school districts will operate on
a four-day week as a cost-cutting measure when the new school year begins in
August: The
Washington Post reports on the "exodus" of teachers from Arizona, due to low
salaries, limited resources and endless testing requirements: In
2013-14, 24 percent of first-year teachers and 20 percent of
second-year teachers left their jobs.
In
seeming recognition of this crisis, Gov. Ducey recently proposed a change in the
distribution of funds available from the state land trust fund. He asked the
Legislature to refer a change in the constitution to the ballot in 2016. If it
passes, there will be "new" money available to our public schools in the amount
of about $300 per student -- but that is far short of what is
needed.
Worse,
his proposal likely means that there will be no additional efforts from his
office to restore pre-recession funding for our public schools until at least
2017. He will continue to ignore the court-mandated restoration of inflation
funds.
Teacher
shortages, large class sizes, and high dropout rates will remain the norm in
Arizona. Pressure to expand vouchers and tax credits will increase in order to
help more families send their children to private schools - and that is, I fear,
the ultimate Ducey agenda.
Higher
education is targeted, too. After the most recent Republican budget cut an
additional $99 million from our state universities, all three were forced again
to raise tuition or increase fees, and those costs will be passed along to
Arizona's families.
We
have other choices. There is money available. The rainy day fund alone totals
$450 million and current revenues are higher than forecast by some $220 million.
What
you can do to help:
* On social media, use #AskDuceyWhy.
Ask why Arizona spends the least of any state in the nation on students in
public schools. Ask why Arizona's governor and Republican leadership refuse to
provide the court-ordered funds due our schools for inflation. Tell them to
restore the funding cuts to our public schools and state
universities.
* Stay informed. Follow my campaign to hold Gov. Ducey accountable for
our public school funding crisis on Facebook and
share my posts with your friends.
*
Donate to support our social media campaign. Gov. Ducey has unlimited
resources. I have you! Click here to
donate.
Arizona's
kids deserve better.
What
we do today will make a difference. Thank you.
Rep. Eric Meyer, M.D.,
Legislative District 28
Minority Leader, Arizona
State House of Representatives
