Page 17 - The Edge - BTS 2016

SUMMER CONFERENCE & EXPO

BY DON HARRIS
Preparing for ‘Proposition 456’ Is the

Challenge Facing Public Education Backers

ree key business leaders with strong ties to public education
emphasized the need to continue focusing on adequate funding for
schools following passage of Proposition 123.
At the closing session of AASBO’s Annual Conference and
Expo on July 23, Chuck Essigs, AASBO Director of Government
Relations, launched the discussion, saying he is more con dent
than ever about funding prospects for K-12 schools because of the
support of the business community.
e panel consisted of Dick Foreman, President and CEO of the
Arizona Business and Education Coalition and former President
of the Tempe Union High School Governing Board; Steve Lynn, DICK FOREMAN STEVE LYNN ALEX RODRIGUEZ
Chief Strategy O cerr for Strongpoint Marketing in Tucson and
former Chairman of First ings First, a 2006 voter approved He alluded to Prop. 123, the ballot measure approved by voters
program to better prepare kids 5 and younger for school; and Alex earlier this year that is designed to pump an additional $3.5 billion
Rodriguez, Vice President of the Southern Regional O ce of the into schools over the next 10 years, and promises from political
Arizona Technology Council and former President of the Tucson leaders that it was the rst step. “We’re waiting to see what the
Uni ed School District Governing Board. Janice Palmer, Vice other shoe looks like,” he said. “I’d love to have (Prop.) 456 be a
President and Director of Policy for Helios Education Foundation, larger shoe.”
moderated the discussion.
Lynn said business leaders understand that current funding of CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
education in Arizona is “untenable if we want the kind of schools
that we must have.” He noted that years ago
economic development experts emphasized “The fact is Arizona gets more out of its education system than
lifestyle, low taxes and quality of life as a means the state pays for the system, based on performance. It compares
of attracting businesses. “There has been a to Wal-Mart pricing. It’s a sure formula for low prices. They keep
seismic shi away from that environment to
one of workforce,” Lynn said. “For companies reducing funding. Our educators would never allow their product
coming here or expanding, it’s all about having in the classroom to suffer even if their paycheck is suffering. If the
the workforce that those companies need and Legislature believes they can get it on the cheap, they will.”
that workforce has to be educated properly and
have the ability to perform 21st century jobs.” — Steve Lynn

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