Linda Lyon, president of the Arizona School Boards Association, describes the legal battle to preserve dedicated funding for the state’s schools.
She writes, following a judge’s decision to overturn Prop. 123:
”I’m sure there will be much more to come on this issue. Two things though, are for certain. First, the AZ Legislature’s raiding of district funding caused this problem in the first place, leaving Arizona K–12 per pupil funding with the highest cuts in the nation from 2008 to 2014. Secondly, if the Prop. 123 funding is taken away, Arizona citizens MUST demand that Governor Ducey and his Legislature find new revenue for our district schools. Even with Prop. 123, our teachers are the lowest paid in the Nation, and our schools have almost $1 billion less in annual funding that prior to the recession. The situation is dire, and the legislation recently forwarded to Governor Ducey for signature to extend the Prop. 301 sales tax at current levels doesn’t do anything to fix it.
“It is time for real leadership. If it doesn’t come from our Governor and Legislature, it MUST come from the voters in August and November.”
She sent me this infographic that gives a pictorial view of the struggle to fund the state’s public schools.
For more background, see this article about the court decision.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Good morning, I’m a little confused about this blog. I looked at the infographic. It talks about what will happen in the 2016-17 school year. Is that an OLD graphic? Thinking it is out of date. As always THANX so much for your leadership!! ~Dayna
>
LikeLike
Dayna,
I had the same reaction to the infographic. It needs to be updated. That’s why I included the link to the news story, which is current.
LikeLike
The DEFORMERS are pathetic and want a citizenry, who cannot critical think. Instead the DEFORMERS want citizens who just accept all their lies and games to bilk money from others for their own bank accounts and their own egos. SAD.
LikeLike
NBC news had a story on Arizona teachers picketing and threatening a walkout. They spoke with a teacher with a master’s degree paid $35,000, and she can’t pay off $70,000 in student loans. A single mother supplements food for her family by going to the local food bank.
LikeLike