Public education in Arizona is at a precipice.
Arizona saw modest gains in student enrollment over the last decade with a 5.8 percent increase, but enrollment is projected to rise dramatically as our state’s K-12 population could grow by 57 percent over the next 14 years.
States with growing student populations face a variety of fiscal challenges in recruiting and retaining the necessary workforce, and in providing the physical space to house students, according to the Foundation for Excellence in Education.
So how do we begin addressing Arizona’s K-12 funding challenges?
Prop 123, which is on the ballot for Arizona’s May 17 special election, adds funding over the next 10 years to K-12 education and settles a funding lawsuit between the legislature and public schools. The settlement includes money from the general fund and increased distributions from the State Trust Land, which exists to support public education.
The Arizona Charter Schools Association strongly supports Prop 123. Our members overwhelmingly voted to donate $10,000 to support Prop 123 on behalf of Arizona’s charter schools and students. In addition, we have created a neutral fact sheet, vetted by an education attorney, to help our members get out the word about Prop 123.
Registering voters is permissible for schools, and the last day to register is April 18. Please spread the message and visit www.arizona.vote to register.
Association President and CEO Eileen B. Sigmund wrote this letter, which was originally published in the Association’s monthly e-newsletter on Thursday, April 7, 2016. Read the full newsletter here.
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