Dear Governor Ducey,
As elected governing board members, we are writing to you to relay some concerns that we have about the education spending shift in your recently proposed budget. We have worked diligently to ensure our students receive the best education possible despite limited funding and drastic funding cuts.
The 5% diversion from “non-classroom” costs to “classroom” costs is a misnomer. Many of the classifications of non-classroom expenses are directly related to student success. We are certain you understand how speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists help a student’s ability to learn. But so does a safe, well-maintained building that ensures teachers don’t have to clean their own rooms or worry about their students’ health.
Over the past 7 years, we have made significant cuts to our administration and other non-classroom budgets. But many of our costs have stayed constant or risen. For example, our operating budget shrank but the cost to run our buses increased, giving the impression that we are spending more percentage wise on transportation than we have in the past. This is simply a numbers game; as budgets shrink and costs rise, the percentage is always going to look larger.
We chose to run for our governing boards to have a positive impact. We always demand that as much money as possible go into our classrooms, and so do our districts’ administrators. We have cut our administrative costs over the past 7 years. Bottom line: further cuts to these areas will be detrimental to student learning. Arizona school districts must provide the structure to support all of our students and teachers. Without it, you have a house without a foundation or an airplane without wings.
Governor Ducey, we urge you to further analyze exactly how these “non-classroom” positions and areas truly impact our students. We invite you to visit our schools and see firsthand how we utilize these different services and how they support the classroom experience.
Updates
February 24, 2015
The momentum behind this petition is undeniable and shows that our community recognizes the reality of these budget cuts. Now call your local school board members to demand they take a public stance against this proposal.
36 Comments
As a board member from Holbrook Unified School District, I represent 2,040 students w/in a same geographical size as Rhode Island. As Navajo County Director, I represent 13 school districts including two JTEDS w approximately 18,000 students. The impact the 5% Reduction would have on my HUSD would equate to 17 days of NO SERVICES from our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, secretaries, custodians, etc. Ours students would have no nurse in these days, no lunches, no maintenance if there is s problem w facilities. This cycle of a safe learning environment solidly established by our classified staff will be jeopardized & we would have to deal with detrimental effects on academics!!!
Higley Unified #1 Large District in Az, voted one of Top 8 Districts "Most Bang for the Buck". We're not asking for more money Governor, we are asking for the cuts to STOP!
"Non-Classroom Funding a" is a myth. Kids learn in libraries. Counselors teach kids. Buses and crossing guards get kids to class safely. Food sustains learning. The argument that these cuts will protect the classroom? That's a lie.
Enough is enough. We are down to the bone. Further cuts with greater expectations are not going to happen. Teachers without increases or little increases over the last 6-7 years are resulting in them leaving the field. With lower finding, the fixed costs of plant operations, transportation and many other categories, will cause the other cost to have a lower percentatge. Simple accounting folks. I am through trying to decide if I should RIFF more teachers and staff, increase class size or have to decide to extend transportation distances.
As an elected governing board member, this letter clearly represents my personal position in regard to school funding and your proposed budget. While I consider myself a fiscal conservative, your budget truly does more harm than good. Sir, I respectful request that you reconsider your proposed cuts and allow school boards to self-govern. Fund education properly, untie our hands and allow us to do our job as elected officials representing our neighborhoods and children.
These cuts hurt children
Make kids the priority in AZ!
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Dear Governor Ducey,
As elected governing board members, we are writing to you to relay some concerns that we have about the education spending shift in your recently proposed budget. We have worked diligently to ensure our students receive the best education possible despite limited funding and drastic funding cuts.
The 5% diversion from “non-classroom” costs to “classroom” costs is a misnomer. Many of the classifications of non-classroom expenses are directly related to student success. We are certain you understand how speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists help a student’s ability to learn. But so does a safe, well-maintained building that ensures teachers don’t have to clean their own rooms or worry about their students’ health.
Over the past 7 years, we have made significant cuts to our administration and other non-classroom budgets. But many of our costs have stayed constant or risen. For example, our operating budget shrank but the cost to run our buses increased, giving the impression that we are spending more percentage wise on transportation than we have in the past. This is simply a numbers game; as budgets shrink and costs rise, the percentage is always going to look larger.
We chose to run for our governing boards to have a positive impact. We always demand that as much money as possible go into our classrooms, and so do our districts’ administrators. We have cut our administrative costs over the past 7 years. Bottom line: further cuts to these areas will be detrimental to student learning. Arizona school districts must provide the structure to support all of our students and teachers. Without it, you have a house without a foundation or an airplane without wings.
Governor Ducey, we urge you to further analyze exactly how these “non-classroom” positions and areas truly impact our students. We invite you to visit our schools and see firsthand how we utilize these different services and how they support the classroom experience.
Updates
February 24, 2015
The momentum behind this petition is undeniable and shows that our community recognizes the reality of these budget cuts. Now call your local school board members to demand they take a public stance against this proposal.
36 Comments
I am a two term school board member representing a 14,000 student diverse community in west-central Phoenix. As a public school advocate, and as a fifth generation Arizonan, I cannot support the budget proposal put forth by our governor.
As a board member from Holbrook Unified School District, I represent 2,040 students w/in a same geographical size as Rhode Island. As Navajo County Director, I represent 13 school districts including two JTEDS w approximately 18,000 students. The impact the 5% Reduction would have on my HUSD would equate to 17 days of NO SERVICES from our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, secretaries, custodians, etc. Ours students would have no nurse in these days, no lunches, no maintenance if there is s problem w facilities. This cycle of a safe learning environment solidly established by our classified staff will be jeopardized & we would have to deal with detrimental effects on academics!!!
Higley Unified #1 Large District in Az, voted one of Top 8 Districts "Most Bang for the Buck". We're not asking for more money Governor, we are asking for the cuts to STOP!
"Non-Classroom Funding a" is a myth. Kids learn in libraries. Counselors teach kids. Buses and crossing guards get kids to class safely. Food sustains learning. The argument that these cuts will protect the classroom? That's a lie.
Enough is enough. We are down to the bone. Further cuts with greater expectations are not going to happen. Teachers without increases or little increases over the last 6-7 years are resulting in them leaving the field. With lower finding, the fixed costs of plant operations, transportation and many other categories, will cause the other cost to have a lower percentatge. Simple accounting folks. I am through trying to decide if I should RIFF more teachers and staff, increase class size or have to decide to extend transportation distances.
As an elected governing board member, this letter clearly represents my personal position in regard to school funding and your proposed budget. While I consider myself a fiscal conservative, your budget truly does more harm than good. Sir, I respectful request that you reconsider your proposed cuts and allow school boards to self-govern. Fund education properly, untie our hands and allow us to do our job as elected officials representing our neighborhoods and children.
These cuts hurt children
Make kids the priority in AZ!
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I am a two term school board member representing a 14,000 student diverse community in west-central Phoenix. As a public school advocate, and as a fifth generation Arizonan, I cannot support the budget proposal put forth by our governor.