The new Arizona Legislative session brings with it difficult challenges filled with opportunities created from the current state and federal economic crisis. I will not begin to claim insight into all the many challenges are legislators will face. However, I do offer up the following for consideration.
This should be seen as a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Legislature to set aside partisan politics and agressively attack the current "structural" changes needed to make our state system sustainable in the 21st Century. Gimmicks, short term solutions and one sided political agendas will only delay and destroy the synergy needed to truly embed systemic changes. The current gaps and long standing loopholes are well known to the leadership. The question remains whether they have the political courage, the skills and the political will to make our state better for the many not the "elite" groups
As an educator the Early Childhood education funds, First Things First, should not be used to supplant a broken financial system without a guarantee of repayment with interest. Our underfunded system suffers daily with unnecessary personnel costs and program costs brought on by our lack of proactiveness in the birth to 4 age group. This in turn puts even more pressure for many students to have the full-day kindergarten option, currently slated to be cut.
Now is not the time to continue the practice of millions of dollars to private schools and certainly not the time to increase the amount per family allowed for this misrepresentation clearly displayed in recent newspaper exposes.
Now is not the time to continue the on going reduction in corporate taxes rather to consider a suspension even a short term return to the 2004 qualifying tax rate.
Now is not the time to defer educational dollars needed to support personel, maintenance and capital needs creating greater capacity and budget shortfalls. With public and higher education taking up 43% of a state budget in a 3 billion dollar shortfall, flexibility of all funds must be seriously considered allowing districts and colleges the opportunity to complete their educational mission. Just as the Legislature has had their hands tied by voter mandated initiatives so have educational leaders by the never ending accountability policies and bureaucratic quagmire. Smaller government with common sense controls would suffice in this difficult time. The cost of doing business needs to turn back with a priority to the classroom and instruction. A government policy review committee has come up with some excellent recommendations that will reduce costs and staff time.
We have told our FHUSD faculty and staff that they should expect salary reductions, personnel reduction in force and loss of programs. My hope is that the Legislature will truly move to right our state financials systems so that my servant-leaders can focus and feel supported in meeting their educational mission for all students. The rhetoric seen over the past 18 months without decision-making does not and will not serve the greater good of our Arizona.
I often think of Lincoln in time of crisis. His Annual Message to Congress (December 1, 1862) should be heeded by us all:
"Still the question recurs 'can we do better?' The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise to the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew."
