Page 22 - AASBO EDGE 2020 WINTER

LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP

BY DON HARRIS

Legislative Support for Additional School

Funding Coming from Both Aides

Two Arizona state lawmakers with personal ties to “It’s not just resources,” Udall said.
education gave school offi cials an idea of what to expect in the
2020 session of the Legislature – and the outlook is somewhat Lieberman said he’d rather have the money to fund the
promising. positions fi rst and then fi nd people to fi ll them.

Both Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa, chairwoman of the House On the potential for charter school reform, Udall noted that
Education Committee, and Rep. Aaron Lieberman, D-Paradise such a bill failed in 2019, but that the Arizona State Board
Valley, a member of the House Education Committee, see for Charter Schools adopted some of the provisions, including
several education issues and the opportunities for passage in more audits and more transparency to make sure students are
2020. They responded to questions from Katie Campbell, a performing and “we’re not just throwing money away.”
KJZZ Producer, at the annual Legislative Workshop gathering
sponsored by ASBA, AASBO and ASA.

“there are legislators on both

sides of the aisle who favor
additional funding for public

schools”

Asked what would be the major education issue in 2020,
Udall said there would be several, including funding, facilities
and safety. Lieberman agreed, mentioning pre-K and charters.
“There are lots of issues and lots of opportunities,” he said.
“This is a great time to make additional investments in
education.”

Asked about school safety, Udall said there are two issues Lieberman said charter operators should not be in it for profi t.
– schools where kids are actually safe and where they feel He recommended making public the contracts of people who
safe. The physical safety of each school is different, she said, run charter schools. “I’m a fi rm believer, if you’re doing the
suggesting that more social workers and counselors would right thing, you shouldn’t have any issue with some light
help students feel safe. shining in there,” he said.

Lieberman said kids with emotional issues need help. He cited Campbell pointed out that the Arizona Department of Education
a $20 million appropriation for the hiring of additional mental insists it doesn’t get enough money from the Legislature to
health counselors, social workers or school resource offi cers properly administer the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts
to target suicide prevention at schools throughout Arizona. But program. Udall said she didn’t know how much more money
he said $20 million is not enough. Udall, however, said even is needed, and Lieberman called for additional funding as a
if more money is appropriated there aren’t enough qualifi ed way to combat instances of fraud.
professionals to fi ll the positions.

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22 THE EDGE WINTER 2020