If the state legislature does nothing to lift a constitutionally-mandated spending cap, public schools could be looking at over a billion dollars in spending cuts. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Is there anyone who wants to put them through that again? Reassign students to Challenger or Don . These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. They may get sick but for them it is, thank God, more like getting the flu than getting a death sentence. AZCIR holds powerful people and institutions accountable by exposing injustice and systemic inequities through investigative journalism. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Virtually no one's pressing to close schools, Hurt students for the unvaccinated? Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. Arizona's schools may be forced to shut down as early as April 1 this spring. Matt Zalaznick is a life-long journalist. Do we ask our people to work for free for the last few months of the year? said Hector Encinas, the CFO for Sunnyside Schools. The irony is that this spring, school districts are running into something called the aggregate expenditure limit (AEL) that was created more than40 years ago. Taylor Lane expects to graduate in May 2022 with a bachelors degree in journalism. But nearly three months later, details surrounding the timing, implementation and enforcement of the law remain unclear. A spending limit set 40 years ago doesnt work today. The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report. I get the decision out when I get it out., Ducey defends use of school funding in face of feds threat to reclaim it. Essigs said some schools, unable to pay teachers and staff members, may have to end the school year early if the limit is not overridden. Berry said she and fellow financial officers of neighboring school districts dont know where the money from the budgets will go if the Legislature doesnt override the cap. Though campuses are closed, the remote . However, this wont just affect families with school-age children. While the education system was strained due to the COVID-19 pandemic and learning shifts, Hoffman said the biggest threat to schools is far from the virus or its complications. Prop 208 is a voter-approved tax hike on high-earners. While Duceys threat should play well for him politically especially with those always looking for an angle to expand the states school voucher program I wasnt aware that there was any groundswell of support for closing Arizonas schools. Cronkite News, the news division of Arizona PBS, is produced by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He said he has sympathy for districts larger than his who face an even greater loss. The Legislature has until March 1 to override the spending cap. But unvaccinated people, for the most part, choose to remain unprotected, relying on horse dewormer or voodoo or whatever it is they substitute for science. Were talking closing schools altogether. Judy Schwiebert is a member of the Arizona House, representing District 20 in the West Valley. Find out how your news organization can use Cronkite News content. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". All rights reserved. Phoenix, AZ 85007. email: [email protected] State Sen. T.J. Shope, a Republican, does not support repealing the cap. Its kind of like kicking our kids when theyre already down, isnt it? Mail it to AZCIR: PO Box 3665, Phoenix, AZ 85030. Look at Mesa Unified School District up in the Phoenix area, theyd have to cut $78 million, or TUSD with $58 million, Marana with about $15 million, Amphi with $14 million, he said. Maricopa County Department of Public Health, for example, recently began requiring students and staff who came in close contact of a known COVID-19 case to quarantine. "This year, it seems it's turned into a little bit . Gov. Politics, cell towers and hate speech: Why 3 more superintendents are Florida schools move closer to a 12-month school year. Then stop playing politics with our children and follow your own advice. All republished content delivered onlinemust have a link to AZCIRand include all of the links in our story. Close your doors for even a day and you will . We have two choices: to allow schools to shut down on a technicality, or to usher them into the 21st century so our entire state can thrive. The biggest threat of widespread school closures comes not from the virus, but a school finance relic from 1980s, she said. While this isnt the outcome any of us wanted, we are grateful for the partnership of schools around the state, who have stepped up to offer virtual and take-home learning opportunities for our students. In central Arizona, the Congress Elementary School District board met Wednesday and reviewed contingency plans. Published: Feb. 7, 2022 at 3:20 PM PST. Um, no, AZ International Auto Show & New Car Buyer's Guide 2020 Model Year, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Read . PHOENIX - Governor Doug Ducey announced Monday that Arizona schools will be closed through the end of the school year amid the coronavirus pandemic. We are not adding any new money or raising taxes, just letting them spend all the money that you budgeted to them last year. Closures will still last days to weeks as district leaders cope with staffing shortages and try to stem COVID transmissions. Currently, a total of 877 classrooms in the New York City public school district have closed, their students transitioned to at-home e-learning, due to confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the . Superintendent Hoffman is also asking lawmakers to pass a bill that would ultimately repeal the spending cap, avoiding a showdown like this one, again. If the Legislature doesnt override the limit, schools will only have a couple of months to cut $1.2 billion.. Robbins announces changes to the future of University of Arizona's medical programs. The State Legislature, under the Arizona State Constitution, has the power to authorize expenditures in excess of the limitation for a single fiscal year. Creative Commons. I am tired of legislative leaders playing political games with public schools, educators and students. Let me be perfectly clear that inaction is not an option, and its appalling that this was not the first issue addressed when the (policy) session started a month ago.. (Arizona public school funding, by the way, alreadyranks lowest in the nation). We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. Huge things have changed since 1979 when the AEL was created. So that cash will just sit there, we believe.. Or search for your Arizona school district by name or zip: A L. M Z. Agua Fria Union High School District. Katherine Fung 12/23/2021. "Back then in '80, we had schoolbooks and chalkboards and all kinds of things that didn't cost near as much.". Hannah must make his decision by March 10, after the deadline for the Legislature to override the spending cap, but Hannah said he could not pinpoint when he would rule., There are no ulterior motives, he told The Republic. In an abrupt reversal, Atlanta's public schools start the year remotely. TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - Arizona public schools face budget cuts of $1.2 billion dollars unless the state Legislature lifts the school spending cap by the end of the month. PHOENIX - Governor Doug Ducey announced Monday that Arizona schools will be closed through the end of the school year amid the coronavirus pandemic. That depends; county health departments in Arizona can issue quarantine guidance. Itll be scheduled, and I think most people expect that itll be passed by enough to make (the overages) no longer an issue.. No schools were reported several weeks in January and February. The Sunnyside School District says it will lose more than $16 million dollars in funding. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. There are solutions already introduced as bills thanks to Representative Jennifer Pawlik and Senator Christine Marsh -- I urge the majority party to act immediately and allow our schools to get on with serving their students and families.. District Administration. She is working for the Phoenix news bureau. 185.6.9.159 Brown has previously interned at MSNBC, NBC 5 Chicago and PBS NewsHour West. Ducey and Hoffman released a joint statement: In alignment with yesterdays updated federal guidance, today we are announcing the extension of school closures through the remainder of the school year. Investing in education ensures we have a pipeline of qualified workers and innovators. From how it spreads to where it originated, here's a look at everything you need to know about the deadly contagion. We all have to reduce our budgets by April 1 if they dont approve the budget, so at that point, we cant over expand our budget, she said. No schools were reported several weeks in January and February. Arizonas schools may be forced to shut down as early as April 1 this spring. The cap only affects district public schools; charter schools did not exist in 1980. In a news release, Ducey, alongside . Consequently, this list will no longer be updated unless case rates again force a substantial number of schools to close. This technical roadblock means without immediate bipartisan legislative action districts across Arizona will have to eliminate 15% or more of their already approved budgeted expenses this spring. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until MON 7:00 PM MST, Western Pima-South Central Pinal-Tohono Oodham Nation, Eastern Pima-Southeastern Pinal-Santa Cruz-Western Cochise, until SUN 5:00 PM MST, Maricopa County, Yuma County, Yuma County, from FRI 11:40 PM MST until TUE 11:30 PM MST, Maricopa County, from MON 9:00 AM MST until MON 11:00 PM MST, Northwest Plateau, Northwest Deserts, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, from SUN 11:59 AM MDT until TUE 12:00 AM MDT, Apache County, until MON 9:00 PM MST, Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail, Article 9, section 21, subsection 2 of the Arizona State Constitution, Murder, Money and the End of Days: The Lori Vallow story, Lori Vallow trial: Full-length audio files from inside the courtroom, Phoenix officer seriously injured by suspect, police say, Lori Vallow murder trial day 19: Hair from 'Doomsday mom' found on duct tape wrapped around dead son, Milwaukee woman stabbed sister to death amid feud: complaint, Cars parked at Gilbert daycares become target in latest string of break-ins, Shocking details revealed during 'Doomsday mom' Lori Vallow's murder trial: Live updates, Hair from 'Doomsday mom' found on duct tape wrapped around dead son, Here are tips on how to keep safe around water as summer nears, Some districts are considering to arm teachers amid school shooting epidemic, Arizona district installs weapon detection system in schools. "That would be an incredible disaster. How aggressively will the state enforce the ban? Tell your senators and representatives to stop using this latest crisis as a political football to score points against each other. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Doug Ducey has put Arizona's public schools on notice. School closures and shifts to remote instruction are quickly becoming less common as COVID case rates drop in many states. Now, if only he would quit fighting schools that enact policies aimed at staying open. Copyright 2022 KOLD News 13. On Aug. 16, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled the ban therefore would not take effect until Sept. 29. John Brown expects to graduate in May 2023 with a bachelors degree in journalism and a minor in political science. Your IP: Hoffman stressed the importance of school funding, saying in a written copy of her address, the biggest threat of widespread school closures comes not from the virus, but a school finance relic from 1980, the aggregate expenditure limit.. Work immediately to pass a clean concurrent resolution, without caveats, that allows school districts to exceed the Aggregate Expenditure Limit. Some districts maintain their own dashboards online. With this announcement, we are making sure parents and families have options if a school closes its doors, he said. UArizona ranks 29 among top 100 universities granted US utility patents in 2022. And Arizonas death rate remains one of highest in the nation, thanks in part to a governor who has used his emergency powers to actually prevent cities and school districtsfrom trying to protect public health. I'd like to receive updates & guidance about the 2022-2023 School Year. Get AZCIRs latest investigations and updates delivered straight into your inbox. Can we just fund our schools?" Which counties have online dashboards or reports tracking COVID in schools? Now, schools cant even spend the still inadequate funds they were counting on to keep our schools open? Greenlee County, Arizonas smallest, reported its first case, making it subject to Duceys orders for bars and gyms to close and restaurants to offer only takeout service in counties with known cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. "That would mean laying off two-thirds of the teachers," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. Essigs said the Legislature projected the limit to decrease because of the decline in enrolled students during the 2020-21 school year because of the pandemic, which would lead to a lower spending limit this year, despite students returning to in-person learning. Here's what you need to know about why the state came so close to cutting school spending. Although the money from the proposition will go toward public education, Essigs said not one penny of that money is in this years budget., That money will not start showing up until next year, he said. At least 25 school districtsas well as several higher education institutionshave implemented broad campus mask requirements, arguing they have a duty to protect their students, staff and communities. State health officials said there are now 1,157 known coronavirus cases and 20 deaths. A clear picture of school-based COVID-19 outbreaks has so far proven elusive, given the rapidly evolving situation and the fact that neither the Arizona Department of Health nor the Arizona Department of Education publishes a dashboard of statewide COVID cases in schools. Its time to choose. 2023 Cronkite News. Failing to act will harm students and families, Hoffman told legislators Tuesday in her address. Over the years, lawmakers have voted to override it which hasnt happened yet this year. But its downright galling that this governor continues to fight schools that are trying to protect kids and their teachers by requiring masks or testing or other mandates designed to ensure they can remain open. It does not store any personal data. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It affects all of us. 2023 Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. "It looks like we will begin moving that piece forward in the next couple of weeks," said State Sen. Shope. News. When does the states ban on school mask requirements take effect? In a statement, Arizona Superintendent Kathy Hoffman said: Legislative leaders have less than one month to prevent Arizonas school districts from facing existential budget cuts. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We will continue to work with families, public health experts and school leaders to ensure our kids can stay in the classroom and parents have a choice always.. It reduces the burden on taxpayers and improves the economy for all of us. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We knew this was going to become an issue. The formula that calculates school district spending is based on spending from the 1979-80 school year, according to the Arizona Center for Economic Progress. Superintendent Hoffman explained Flowing Wells and TUSD could lose a combined $63.9 million this school year due to the aggregate expenditure limit during her State of Education address Tuesday. He's also in a band. Pinal County has a dashboard that shows cumulative cases by the area each school district covers, but not cases specifically from schools. So says the governor who has actually foughtschools that enact public health policies aimed at staying open. Then work with us to abolish this arbitrary, antiquated policy. Parents are best suited to make decisions about their childs education. Updated by the minute, our Dallas Cowboys NFL Tracker: News and views and moves inside The Star and around the league . Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. During the 2021-2022 school year, public schools were staring at 16% across-the-board cuts, and looking at layoffs and school closings, according to education advocates. This is their way of saying no to 208 even though the voters passed it overwhelmingly, she said. Unless school leaders inform you that the school is closed or cannot provide a place, then you still have a legal duty to send your children to school unless they are unwell. PHOENIX The clock is running out for state legislators to override a cap on spending that would prohibit Arizona public school districts from disbursing nearly $1.2 billion thats already been approved by the Legislature and budgeted. Yes. And students are still trying to recover from the impact of COVID-induced learning interruptions. Its going to be very, very hard to do.. Cheney believes the Legislature is trying to prevent Prop 208, an income tax rate surcharge on high-earners, from going into effect by not lifting the spending cap limit. According to Education Forward Arizona, the Legislature last overrode the gap in 2007 and 2008. Email covid.edu@azcir.org, or contact AZCIRs reporters: Which school districts have mask mandates in place? Michael Tubbs, once the youngest mayor of a major American city, to address UArizona graduates at Commencement. The district provided no in-person classes from March 2020 through the end of the . It allows people to lift themselves out of poverty. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Look at our options. We also need to take the next step, to abolish this arbitrary, antiquated policy. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. For more than a decade the Legislatures failure to invest properly in our schools has resulted in such a severe teacher shortage that more than20% of our students dont have a permanent, qualified teacher in their classroom. As a result, school districts cannot legally spend the money the Legislature already approved months ago as part of the state budget. In a public letter dated Aug. 11, they contended a resounding message must be delivered to any local government or subdivision of the state considering defying state law that lawlessness will not be tolerated.. Do schools and child care establishments have to report COVID-19 outbreaks to their local health departments? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Gov. As of Dec. 6, she reported, there had been 608 breakthrough COVID-19 deaths in fully vaccinated people in Arizona. Whatever the case, it means even more stress on already stressed-out students, parentsand teachers. 2023-2024 calendars are being added as they become available. In 2022, then-State Senate President Karen Fann said the 1980 law needs to be re-examined. And as state and local officials argue over the bans merit, COVID-19 continues to spread. */. The school spending cap was enacted as part of a wave of proposed laws the Legislature asked voters to approve to limit taxes and government spending. Published: Feb. 8, 2022 at 5:11 PM PST. So, districts already have the state-approved money in their bank accounts. The restrictions now apply statewide with cases reported in all 15 counties. This limitation excludes charter schools and only applies to district public schools. Ultimately, on Feb. 21, 2022, lawmakers in the Arizona State Senate voted 23-6 to waive a constitutional spending cap for K-12 school spending, a week after members of the State House voted on the measure. Budget documents show that Chandler schools would lose more than $54 million. These cuts translate to $25 million for the Washington Elementary district, $43 million for Phoenix Union, and $58 million for Tucson Unified, just to name a few examples. Phase 2, 2022-2023. Maricopa County tracks schools with active and resolved outbreaks in a dashboard, but does not differentiate by school or district. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". January 7, 2022. The issue of the funding cap has nothing to do with COVID-19, masks, or vaccines. Arizona Association of School Business Officials, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts. His Open for Learning Recovery Benefit program offers up to $7,000 that can be used to pay private school tuition for any child whose school closes for even a day of in-person instruction. PHOENIX Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman held her 2022 State of Education address Tuesday afternoon, heavily focusing on the Aggregate Expenditure Limit and the catastrophic impacts it could have on Arizona's education system. Horne, for his part, says he is in support of lifting the cap and is even considering a repeal. It requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers. Learn more about what we do and how to find our content on our broadcast, digital and social media platforms. But we have some legislators who didnt like 208, and theyre still fighting it in court. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. But education advocates fear the Legislature isnt taking the cap seriously enough and that the March 1 deadline to approve the override will pass with no action taken, forcing districts to cut their budgets in the final quarter of the school year. Schools will not be able to maintain their current day-to-day operations without action, she said. Stay up-to-date on the most recent guidance, resources, and professional development offered by the Arizona Department of Education and our partners. Coconino County publishes a COVID-19 school update every Friday that summarizes case rate and percent positivity at district level. and last updated 9:42 AM, Feb 09, 2022. Our number one priority will continue to be health and safety, and we will continue to work closely with public health officials to make the best decisions for kids, families, and our school communities.. The aggregate expenditure limitation shall be determined by adjusting the total amount of expenditures of local revenues for all school districts for fiscal year 1979-1980 to reflect the changes in student population in the school districts and the cost of living, and multiplying the result by 1.10. Lets get this straight. Copyright 2022 KOLD News 13. Do students and staff have to quarantine if they are exposed to COVID in schools? PHOENIX - Public schools in Arizona are once again at risk of massive budget cuts and layoffs unless lawmakers vote to lift a constitutional spending cap that has been in place for decades. AZCIR is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Tax ID #46-1209940. Katie Hobbs signs house bill to fund Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, American Airlines pilots authorize strike; pickets planned at Phoenix Sky Harbor. The economic estimates commission shall determine and publish prior to May 1 of each year the aggregate expenditure limitation for all school districts for the following fiscal year. Lana Berry, the chief financial officer of Chandler Unified School District, said schools have the money, they just need the authorization from the Legislature to spend it. School's out for the rest of the school year, as a result of the pandemic. All rights reserved. Interactive Coronavirus case data and map, Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers, Coronavirus: Symptoms, testing and how to prepare amid growing COVID-19 outbreak, How coronavirus differs from flu: Symptoms to watch for, Is it the flu, a cold or COVID-19? Eighty-five percent of our budget is salary and benefits. TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - Arizona Superintendent Kathy Hoffman is urging lawmakers to lift the school spending cap as public schools are facing nearly $1.2 billion in budget cuts. In partnership with Esri and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we've created the information below to keep you informed of the changes and impact of COVID-19 on school operational plans at the district level. School closures and shifts to remote instruction are quickly becoming less common as COVID case rates drop in many states. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The aggregate expenditure limit, passed by voters in 1980, is an amendment to the Arizona Constitution that sets a spending limit for school districts based on total spending of all districts. Shaena Montanari is an investigative reporter for AZCIR focused on covering health disparities. "When this was set in 1980, we didn't have Chrome tablets or whiteboards or any of the stuff that we have now that teaches our kids," State Sen. Fann said at the time. And as state and local officials argue over the ban's merit, COVID-19 continues to spread. by Maria Polletta and Shaena Montanari, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting August 17, 2021, This and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
. On CoronavirusNOW.com, you'llfind extensive coverage about COVID-19, including breaking news from around the country, exclusive interviews with health officials, and informative content from a variety of public health resources. Please choose your school district in Arizona from the list below to view a calendar of your 2022-2023 school holidays. Gov. For some of America's schools, 2022 sure feels a lot like 2020. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In the past, when districts hit the decades-old aggregate expenditure limit, lawmakers voted to override it which hasnt happened this school year. Erin Richards. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. PHOENIX Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman held her 2022 State of Education address Tuesday afternoon, heavily focusing on the . Madison School . This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.