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PROP 100
Passing Proposition 100 today is an absolute necessity if we want a vibrant tomorrow. Make no mistake; every reputable group has Arizona scraping the bottom of the education-funding barrel. To prove that we have to stop the hemorrhaging of funds, here are some facts from the 2008 American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) report. ALEC is well known as a conservative leaning group.
- Arizona ranked 50th in per pupil expenditures - $9,389 (national average). $6,248 (Arizona).
- Arizona ranked 50th in pupil-teacher ratio (national average 15.3; Arizona 24.2)
The preceding statistics do not even factor in the last two years of monumental cuts. What can opponents to Prop 100 say? They will probably reach into the “throwing money at the problem doesn’t fix it” mantra. They are wrong. We have never thrown money at education in this state. Plus, since when did education become a “problem”? Education is, and always has been, part of the answer.
Let’s try and put this in kid terms. The anti public education groups want you to believe there are bogeymen out there. As much as we know there is no such thing, we have to turn on the light and show that the fear isn’t rationale. Don’t allow the naysayers to create these nightmares.
Bogyman #1: This tax will cost the average family $400 a year.
Light bulb #1: A Goldwater Institute bogeyman. If you are in the “average” family that spends $40,000 dollars on items that incur sales tax, congratulations, you are around the $100,000 plus income bracket. The real average is less than half their figure.
Bogeyman #2: Arizona spends too much money on administration; cut the fat.
Light Bulb #2: According to the 2008 Arizona Auditor General’s Report, we are more than 10% below the national average in administrative costs.
Bogeyman #3: In Arizona there is one bureaucrat for every teacher.
Light bulb #3: Another Goldwater Institute bogeyman here. They classify bus drivers, cafeteria workers, janitors, etc. as bureaucrats…please. Every other state have these essential and necessary people at the same ratios.
Bogeyman #4: There is no such thing as a temporary tax.
Light bulb #4: There is a sunset clause three years from institution. It would run afoul of the constitution to continue past the there years.
While the opposition will create this great fear through bogeyman, we do have something to be scared about. Be afraid if Prop 100 does not pass. Our kids cannot afford anything less than a YES vote.
Here are facts! In my school district, failure of 100 will lead to an increase of over 25% from the class size ratio that leaves us in the current slot of 50th in the nation. Can we afford that? We will lose close to 200 teachers in Scottsdale Unified alone. Can we afford that? Our students will be without a well rounded education. There will be no physical education, art or music in the elementary levels. Can we afford that? We will no longer be able to hire school resource officers to help assure student safety. All of these losses amount to one gigantic loss of opportunities for kids. We cannot afford those deficits. We must afford the extra penny on the dollar.
There is one group that can help turn the lights on and wake our students from the bad dream they may soon face. You the voter can join me in saying YES. YES on Prop 100 and YES for a strong public education! Eric Kurland
SEA President
Scottsdale Education Association © 2007 |
