Sound the alarm: Arizona is intentionally neglecting public schools | Opinion

If Arizona doesn’t change course and infuse a lot more money into public schools, the education system on which so many rely will fall apart.

• Arizona public schools are facing a funding crisis, ranking 49th in per-pupil spending.
• Many schools are facing difficult choices like closing buildings, laying off teachers and cutting programs.
• The state Legislature is debating the budget, with disagreements on funding for education and the ESA voucher program.

As Arizona’s former superintendent of public instruction, I have stayed engaged with education leaders and teachers across the state, and I am devastated by what I see.

Because for years, the Legislature has siphoned funds away from public education without even maintaining enough money for building repairs or retaining highly qualified staff.

Sadly, our public school system is holding on by a thread — and we are running out of time to act.

Arizona’s public schools need our support more than ever. In many school districts across the state, especially in rural Arizona, communities are facing excruciating budget decisions: Close schools? Lay off teachers? Eliminate music classes?

These are not isolated challenges, and many more districts are evaluating how many school buildings will need to be closed or which positions to cut.

Arizona is not adequately funding public schools

Our entire education funding system is in crisis. Early childhood and higher education funding have been on the decline for years. The entire education system needs to be well-funded to ensure a strong foundation for the state’s economy.

Yet, despite the very real harm to families and communities, our Legislature has failed to adequately fund public education, and we are still 49th in the country for per-pupil spending.

Gov. Katie Hobbs and legislative leaders are in the final rounds of the negotiating process to set the state’s budget. They need to confront the Arizona Department of Education’s $200 million budget shortfall that was caused, in part, by the out-of-control cost of the universal ESA voucher program, which is nearly $1 billion annually.

Despite these pressing issues, the House passed a budget that leaves the voucher program unreformed and aims to cut $60 million from districts.

The Senate’s version is a step in the right direction, including more money for basic aid, maintenance and instruction. I also would advocate for solving the budget sinkholes created by Republicans’ refusal to put politics aside and establish guardrails for the universal ESA voucher program. 

The assault on public education has only become more aggressive this year with steps taken to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

Any disruption of federal funds — regardless of whether it is funding for students with special needs, Medicaid funding for school nurses, Head Start funding for low-income preschoolers or research dollars for universities — would be devastating for Arizona’s schools and families.

Teachers and staff are doing tremendous work

The lack of support is particularly heartbreaking when I have also seen firsthand the tremendous successes of Arizona’s school leaders and teachers.

From the bus driver to the reading specialist to the biology teacher, it takes a village, and there are countless passionate and hardworking people who are making a difference in children’s lives.

Through my current work at Arizona State University, I have toured innovative programs and am inspired by what is possible through collaboration.

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I was particularly impressed by the Pendergast Elementary School District’s partnership with the Glendale Chamber of Commerce to create a co-working space in one of their school buildings, referred to as “WestVentures.”

Not only are they fostering entrepreneurship and partnerships with businesses like Amazon and CORE Construction, but they also are planning to offer hands-on work experiences through student internships.

This is an exemplary model of how underutilized school buildings can be repurposed while enhancing student engagement.

We must all speak against public school neglect

It gives me hope and optimism when I’m in classrooms watching students’ faces light up. But it is a disservice to our youngest Arizonans to stay silent.

I am ringing these alarm bells not only as an education leader, but also as a mom. With every year that my two young children approach their first day of kindergarten, I am appalled at the intentional neglect of public schools.

We can build on the success of models like WestVentures and establish many more partnerships between businesses, nonprofits and local districts. We can strengthen the foundation of public education by increasing the per pupil allocation.

Now is the time for all of us to stand up for public schools. Now is the time to tell the governor and Legislature that education must be a top priority in this year’s budget.

Our kids and teachers cannot wait, and they deserve so much better.

Kathy Hoffman is a former Arizona superintendent of public instruction. Reach her at katherine.hoffman@asu.edu.

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