PHOENIX — Two dozen Arizona educators gathered Monday at a metaphorical “negotiating table” outside the state capitol, asking for Republican leaders to meet with them over school funding proposals.
The teachers said empty chairs placed at the table represented the absence of State Senate President Warren Petersen (R) and House Speaker Ben Toma (R). Republicans are sponsoring bills to place a Prop 123 extension on the November ballot, a funding mechanism that expires next year. Those proposals call for raises for teachers and not other school employees.
“I’m calling on Republican legislative leaders who refuse to support raises for all Arizona educators to hear us out,” said Physics teacher Melissa Germcheid of the Tolleson Union Education Association.
Senate Education Chair Ken Bennett (R) said he favors extending proceeds (about $400 million per year) from Prop 123 to improve teacher pay only. According to Bennett, the $400 million amounts to about 2.5% of the more than $16 billion spent annually on K-12 education.
“The other employees in K-12 are VERY IMPORTANT also, but I believe we can address increases for them out of the other 97.5% of the money in the system,” Bennett said by email to 12News. When asked if he insists that non-teacher raises be included in the general budget, Bennett said “Yes, if we have additional funds over last year’s levels. If not, we’ll need to see if we can reprioritize monies from less critical areas.”
House Speaker Toma (R) did not directly answer whether he would support Prop123 raises for all school employees. He told 12News in writing the governor’s proposal is “wildly irresponsible” and said, "I support the ongoing robust discussions about the future use of the state land trust (Prop 123), focusing on distribution amounts and fund use. I'm confident we'll create a smart plan in the legislative session, informed by experts..."
According to a financial analysis conducted last year by longtime financial consultant Anabel Aportela, per-pupil funding in Arizona peaked in 2007 and was cut drastically after the recession. Funding levels gradually recovered during the Ducey administration. Accounting for inflation, funding returned near 2007 levels two years ago and remains near the bottom nationally.
Bennett said the $400 million of Prop 123 proceeds represents “additional money” because legislators already committed to replacing existing Prop 123 dollars with General Funds.
Education leaders say the process is not as inclusive as it was in 2016.
“This was done in the past in a bipartisan method and we would love to do that again,” said Marisol Garcia, President of the Arizona Educators Association. “The current four bills moving very quickly do not have input from educators, school board members, parents.”
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