RedforEd. It was on the news, on street corners, on social media. There were signs in businesses, shirts on people, and bumper stickers on cars. The governor signed a bill that was touted as a raise for teachers. But does it answer our needs?
Governor Ducey signed his “20X2020” bill without a solid plan for sustainability. Media reports the plan generously benefits teachers statewide, but small, rural schools in Arizona are hurting. School budgets have been set; next year’s funds are encumbered. To fund the proposed raises, these schools must cut positions, programs, and resources. These cuts will hurt students and school communities in the places where these programs are most needed – communities like ours.
Governments make money in three ways: sales tax, income tax, and property tax. In large counties like Maricopa, larger populations with more businesses and revenue sources generate plenty of tax dollars to fund legislative mandates like this. However, rural school districts have fewer businesses, limiting sales tax revenues, and smaller populations resulting in less income tax. While Ducey’s plan allows schools to ask for more money from taxpayers, in areas relying primarily on property tax this is no longer a legal option; property taxes already exceed 150% of the state’s qualifying tax rate and cannot be increased.
Despite changes in population, business, and demographics, school funding formulas have remained unchanged for decades; #RedforEd asked the legislature to restore 2008 funding levels by reducing/eliminating tax exemptions, or by refusing to implement new tax exemptions. They refused. So, I walked out.
I have been a local teacher for 15 years and I walked out. I had to walk out in support of my profession, my colleagues, the future of education, and, most importantly, for rural Arizona students. The governor’s plan will impact small rural schools by requiring salary raises for teachers without increasing monies from the state General Fund. Schools will be forced to choose to reduce these deficits by cutting positions/programs or delaying necessary repairs/improvements. This is an impossible choice for schools; there is no outcome that will benefit students.
For three days, I joined my colleagues in Patagonia, Sonoita, and Vail in supporting education. I called and e-mailed the Governor, state senators and representatives, voicing my concerns. My colleagues and I traveled to Phoenix to rally in support for education. We met with our district’s state representatives, Rosanna Galbadón and Daniel Hernandez; we also met with our state senator, Andrea Dalessandro. All three of our legislators listened to our concerns. They shared that many of their colleagues had been unwilling to develop a bipartisan plan; a perspective that was reinforced when several legislators opposed to the #RedforEd movement refused to meet with constituents to hear their concerns.
Many certified educators serve as instructional support staff, instructional specialists, librarians, IT personnel, school nurses and program coordinators who must be certified, and are integral to instructional programs. However, under Ducey’s plan, they aren’t
recognized as “teachers.” Bus drivers, cafeteria staff, grounds/maintenance, administrative staff, classroom aides – all are vital a school’s success, but while the 20X2020 plan gives raises to teachers, it ignores these individuals. Schools cannot effectively run without them. So, I walked.
Ducey’s plan is also only a single part of the budget and must be approved by the legislature each year. After this year there was no sustainable funding source for the 20X2020 raise. So, I walked.
I teach to make a difference. While my passion hasn’t waned, my resources and opportunities have. I believe in the future of Arizona, and I’m a committed advocate and change agent. For these reasons, I walked out.