4 minute read
OPINION
Kyrene school override fills critical needs
BY THE KEEP KYRENE STRONG PAC
Voters in the Kyrene School District will have the opportunity to continue the existing Maintenance and Operations (M & O) budget override this coming November, with no tax rate increase.
M & O Override dollars represent approximately $13.8 million in the District’s current budget.
These critical dollars are used to reduce class sizes by funding the equivalent of 200 additional teacher positions, to fund special area instruction in art, music foreign language, and PE, and to provide student support services such as counselors, psychologists, occupational and physical therapy, academic and behavior support, speech, vision and hearing services.
In 2017, voters approved continuation of the override by a vote of 63 percent to 37 percent. This existing budget override expires in 2024, however, if not renewed, the funding is incrementally reduced starting in 2023.
Kyrene’s budget, like other districts across Arizona and the United States, has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal relief dollars are intended for very specific use, and are limited in their availability, that is, those dollars cannot be counted upon in future years to fund key academic services.
In spite of budget challenges, Kyrene continues to rank as one of the highest in the state for directing funds to the classroom, (75.1 percent according to the FY20 Auditor General’s Classroom Spending Report), and consistently outperforms peer districts. In administrative costs, Kyrene is consistently among the lowest in administrative costs per pupil in the state.
“Kyrene has been providing excellence in education for more than a century, and excellence can only be achieved through the support of the entire community. Override dollars help Kyrene retain the very best educators, offer a wide variety of programming, and provide the support services that sustain our District’s reputation for excellence,” said Kyrene Superintendent, Laura Toenjes.
Kyrene voters have demonstrated that they value quality education as critical to economic development and in maintaining high property values.
Local real estate agents report that many families move to Kyrene because of the District’s reputation as a high-performing district.
This override campaign has already received endorsements from Tempe and Chandler Mayors Corey Woods and Kevin Hartke; all three legislators from LD18 – Sen. Sean Bowie, Rep. Mitzi Epstein, and Rep. Jennifer Jermaine; Congressman Greg Stanton and former Kyrene Superintendent, Dr. Ben Furlong.
Kyrene parents Triné Nelson and Ivan Alfaro are co-chairs for the Keep Kyrene Strong political action committee that has supported bond and override elections for the past two elections.
Nelson stated, “Strong community support is a key driver in the success of the Kyrene School District. I know that ensuring we maintain quality educators and critical support services is something we can all support.”
Kyrene is one of the few districts on the ballot this election cycle. Tempe Elementary and Tempe Union High School District don’t have override or bond measures on the ballot, and voters in Chandler Unified’s boundaries have a continuation of their M & O budget override on the ballot.
The election will be an all “mail-in” ballot election, and information for returning ballots can be found at recorder. maricopa.gov.
Information and updates about the override can be found by following Keep Kyrene Strong on Facebook at facebook. com/KeepKyreneStrong
Kelly fighting for first responders, police
People calling 911 are facing the toughest challenges of their lives. They could be facing threats of death or violence or trying to keep their loved ones safe in the face of extreme danger.
That's what I dealt with every workday for over 25 years as a 911 dispatcher in Maricopa County. It was my job to keep those callers calm while also making sure that the help they needed reached them before it was too late.
First responders have a tough job. It's their sworn duty to put themselves in dan-
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
ger, to run into the fire, to rescue our neighbors facing the worst crises imaginable. It's important that elected officials have our backs. During the worst months of the pandemic, communities had to make tough decisions about how to keep their residents safe in the face of severe budget shortfalls.
Fortunately, Mark Kelly stood up for us. He delivered 7.6 billion in funding to Arizona to prevent layoffs of police officers, firefighters and other first responders so they can continue keeping Arizonans safe.
Thank you, Mark Kelly, for standing up for law enforcement and first responders.
-Louisa Pedraza
Supports Kyrene override as a business owner, parent
Our family has owned a business in Tempe (within the Kyrene and Tempe Union school boundaries) for nearly thirty years. Our children attended Colina Elementary, Centennial Middle School. Mountain Pointe High School and Desert Vista High School.
I am thankful for the excellent education they received, and I am a strong supporter of public education from a parent perspective.
However, I am also a strong supporter of public schools as a business owner, having employed many former district students who have helped grow my company into an international business. As a community member, I understand that public schools provide the bedrock of strength for their community and can reach further beyond those goals.
The budget override allows the school district to continue to provide excellence as our state is ranked 48th out of 50 in per pupil spending by the state legislature. Without overrides, the outstanding education our local public school provide would be impossible.
