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LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP
BY DON HARRIS
Linking Public Education to Economic Development
Is Sound Strategy, Experts Say
The belief that a quality education system goes hand in hand voters want to put it, and put that question out to the voters.
with economic development resonates with the business Let them decide what kind of schools they want. I don’t see
community, and more needs to be done to achieve adequate a Legislature or a governor that wants to put large increases
funding for public schools. in school funding in the budget.”
At the annual Legislative Workshop sponsored by three
education groups, including AASBO, panelists offered
their views on education funding beyond 2021. The panel,
moderated by Chris Kotterman, Director of Governmental
Relations, ASBA, consisted of Joe Thomas, President,
Arizona Education Association; Vince Yanez, Senior Vice
President, Helios Foundation; and Jim Rounds, President,
Rounds Consulting Group.
Thomas opened the discussion of providing the opportunity
for every student to succeed with this stark statement: “It’s a
four billion dollar question. It’s been a pretty tough decade.”
He mentioned a reduction-in-force that Gilbert schools were
Financing Potential forced to make because of funding issues and said, “You all
have to make choices on how you slice up that small pie.”
Thomas said his members are urged to examine budgets
Stifel is proud to collaborate with Arizona school districts by providing and hold governing boards accountable. “Listening to you
creates the best school system,” Thomas said. “Where does
comprehensive investment banking and nance consulting services. the money come from? It comes from the Legislature that is
more concerned about tax cuts than they are about funding
our schools adequately. In the worst case, no matter how
much they cut, we keep the lights on, keep the doors open, Thomas said the additional funding in the budget isn’t nearly
Bob Casillas Grant Hamill Michael LaVallee keep the buses running.” enough to enable schools to hire the needed counselors,
Managing Director Managing Director Managing Director social workers, cafeteria workers and bus drivers.
The money that schools have received in recent years
Bryan Lundberg Mark Reader Randie Stein is “absolutely unsustainable,” he said, noting that 1,400 Yanez agreed with Thomas and said there needs to be a
Managing Director Managing Director Managing Director teaching positions “do not have a qualifi ed certifi ed teacher conversation about a meaningful investment in education to
in the classroom.” cover early education all the way through the universities,
Erika Coombs Sandra Day The answer, he suggested, is at the ballot box. “We have including all-day kindergarten and school construction. He
said he feels “the stars are aligned” to make a major push for
Director Vice President to have the courage to connect much more deeply with the adequate education funding, but cautioned: “We don’t want
voters, members of the community,” Thomas said. “You to be hit over the head with – when is enough, enough? We
are part of the community. The worst way to pass policy need to focus on critical needs.”
East Camelback Road, Suite | Phoenix, Arizona is through the initiative or referendum. But it’s been the
only way in the last few years. I suggest we fi nd the right Rounds said the Red4Ed movement, in which teachers
question, fi nd right revenue stream, fi nd right place where CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
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Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com/public nance
