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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NEWS & NOTES

BY DAVID LEWIS

History Was Made as Policymakers Listened –

Let’s Continue Our Political Momentum

A er one of the most extraordinary few weeks in education- class sizes and a mass exodus of teachers leaving the profession
related history unfolded here in Phoenix in late April, the due to these conditions.
Legislature nally adjourned sine die a er passing a $10.4 billion As o en as all of the education-focused associations tried to
spending plan in early May that includes a proposed 9-percent put into words and numbers these devastating e ects, it ultimately
teacher pay raise for next year, and 5-percent hikes the following took these drastic actions to nally get our policymakers – and
two years. our governor – to pay attention to the negative impact their
is was following the actions of more than 50,000 teachers decisions were having on our education system. Ultimately, this is
who took to the streets in the week leading up to this budget the proper functioning of a democracy – that concerned citizens
vote, demonstrating their dissatisfaction over the status bring their case to their representatives who respond in turn by
quo that had kept education funding in Arizona at woefully addressing those concerns.
inadequate levels, especially when compared to national is only further highlights the infuriatingly stubborn low
averages. e spending plan also includes $95 million to registration and voter turn-out levels, o en among individuals
restore cuts to District Additional Assistance, $5 million for and families who have children in the public education system,
Charter Additional Assistance, and if you add in funding for which continues to return elected o cials to o ce who are not
student growth and funding for in ation, this brings the total necessarily motivated to address these concerns.
to approximately $500 million in new education funding for Hopefully, these last few weeks will signal a turning point
scal year 2019. amongst the people of Arizona, most of whom poll a er poll
To say that these developments and these dollar amounts indicate clearly support adequate and increased funding for
are truly unprecedented is not to overstate the case. Arizona education, and will motivate them to heed the example of a group
education has never seen such an in ux of increased funding of citizens who turned frustration into action and activism into
during a one-year period of time – never! true and lasting results.
It is with this in mind that a huge amount of credit goes to the is is a legacy that would go beyond any one particular
New Look, Same Vision teachers and support personnel who, inspired by actions across grievance and would set our citizens’ political involvement in a

the country, took it upon themselves to nd a way to demonstrate signi cantly more positive direction than that to which we have
the seriousness of the e ects that these funding cuts were having been accustomed. We look forward to continuing this political
where it matters the most – in the classroom. ese cuts have momentum as we seek to advance the cause of public education
resulted in unacceptable learning environments of overwhelming throughout Arizona.
It is an exciting time at Mohave!

For over 40 years, we at Mohave have been committed to being the
consistent leader in providing quality contracts and distinct services
within the Arizona cooperative marketplace.

With this new look our promise to you, our members, is to renew this
commitment and continue being your purchasing partner of choice.

Visit our booth 204, at AASBO’s 65th Annual Conference and Exposition, July 17-21, 2018,
at J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson, Arizona.

Kingman 928-753-6945 | Phoenix 602-277-4290 | Tucson 520-888-9664 | www.mesc.org

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