"Public School Reality during the “Great Recession”
Currently, it is a continuing challenge to many public school superintendents nationally and in the State of Arizona during this “Great Recession” According to our state budget office, it has seen in 4 years the loss of over $877 million from Arizona public schools. Added to this is the continued ignorance and fiction that many well-meaning community members and legislators operate under how school funding can be applied.
Computers, software, textbooks and major facility projects may only be purchased through “capital” dollars designated to “only” be used in this manner. “Maintenance & Operations” dollars for teachers and support staff salaries has been dramatically reduced during this time period. For Fountain Hills Unified SD “capital” dollars for computer technology/and support software is one affordable “capital” alternative to replace teachers lost due to continuous cuts. This is a financial reality when 43% of the state budget goes toward education. It is also an educational reality as our young learners of today will be the digital learners and citizens of the 21st century.
We value our teachers as our greatest resource, but 75% of the budget is in personnel costs. This year FHUSD lost $800,000 due to the loss of $220 per student from our state student formula. Also, our K-3 elementary class sizes including kindergarten (KG) has moved from 19-24 to 27-29. With the loss of state supported full day kindergarten funding ($330,000 locally), our local K-3 override allowed us to maintain the program but increased KG-grade 3 class sizes. Valley districts choosing to fund only half-day KG or charge full day fees saw their students flock to neighboring full day districts. Our KG enrollment is 30 above last year but our class sizes have increased 6-7 students per classroom. Finally, the state appears to be $1.5 billion short for the fiscal year which could lead to further mid-year cuts.
My hope is the federal teacher jobs legislation passed last week will soon allow FHUSD to bring back a number of teachers focusing on our elementary grade levels. This will be dependent upon our state leaders designating the federal money as regular basic education dollars and not tied specifically to Title I schools. My other hope is community members and legislators will pause in stomping public education for a schoolhouse that no longer exists or convenient political gain during an election year. Instead, let us realize public education is the investment for the many and honor our educational professionals that are ‘the gardeners of young souls.” By the way this superintendent and his dedicated staff like a good challenge
Currently, it is a continuing challenge to many public school superintendents nationally and in the State of Arizona during this “Great Recession” According to our state budget office, it has seen in 4 years the loss of over $877 million from Arizona public schools. Added to this is the continued ignorance and fiction that many well-meaning community members and legislators operate under how school funding can be applied.
Computers, software, textbooks and major facility projects may only be purchased through “capital” dollars designated to “only” be used in this manner. “Maintenance & Operations” dollars for teachers and support staff salaries has been dramatically reduced during this time period. For Fountain Hills Unified SD “capital” dollars for computer technology/and support software is one affordable “capital” alternative to replace teachers lost due to continuous cuts. This is a financial reality when 43% of the state budget goes toward education. It is also an educational reality as our young learners of today will be the digital learners and citizens of the 21st century.
We value our teachers as our greatest resource, but 75% of the budget is in personnel costs. This year FHUSD lost $800,000 due to the loss of $220 per student from our state student formula. Also, our K-3 elementary class sizes including kindergarten (KG) has moved from 19-24 to 27-29. With the loss of state supported full day kindergarten funding ($330,000 locally), our local K-3 override allowed us to maintain the program but increased KG-grade 3 class sizes. Valley districts choosing to fund only half-day KG or charge full day fees saw their students flock to neighboring full day districts. Our KG enrollment is 30 above last year but our class sizes have increased 6-7 students per classroom. Finally, the state appears to be $1.5 billion short for the fiscal year which could lead to further mid-year cuts.
My hope is the federal teacher jobs legislation passed last week will soon allow FHUSD to bring back a number of teachers focusing on our elementary grade levels. This will be dependent upon our state leaders designating the federal money as regular basic education dollars and not tied specifically to Title I schools. My other hope is community members and legislators will pause in stomping public education for a schoolhouse that no longer exists or convenient political gain during an election year. Instead, let us realize public education is the investment for the many and honor our educational professionals that are ‘the gardeners of young souls.” By the way this superintendent and his dedicated staff like a good challenge
