Make your vote count for education
It may still feel like summer, but don’t be deceived — it’s also time for fall elections. Yuma County voters should have already received election pamphlets, and early ballots will soon be arriving in mailboxes.
But before you cast your vote, do you know who your candidates are? Do you know their stance on education issues? Elected officials — every one from the governor to local school boards — have a big impact on local schools. So when you fill out your ballot for the August primaries, know who you’re voting for.
It can be hard to decipher the canned sound bites from how a candidate really stands on education. So to help voters dig deeper, we’ve created a website that includes informational resources, including key questions to ask candidates. Here is a sampling of those questions:
• Arizona’s funding formula was developed 35 years ago — before home computers, cell phones, school choice, etc. Who would you bring to the table for conversations about revising the education funding formula to support the success of all students and ensure Arizona schools are providing a 21st century education?
• When is the last time you visited a public school in Arizona — district or charter? What about a community college or university campus? A quality early education program? Can you share a challenge or success story from those visits?
• Approximately 7-of-10 jobs require training or education beyond a high school diploma. Arizona’s ability to increase the number of people with such credentials will, in many ways, shape our future economic viability. What is your plan to improve access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) and higher education and ensure Arizona businesses have access to a skilled talent pool? What ideas do you have to increase statesponsored financial aid in order to increase access for more Arizonans to postsecondary education opportunities?
• Local bonds and overrides were created to allow school districts to request money above and beyond what is needed to operate successfully, yet many districts now rely on this funding for basic services. How would you ensure the state is doing its most important job of providing general and uniform funding for basic education services?
Visit ExpectMoreArizona.org/ vote, where you can find additional education-related questions, as well as information on bonds and overrides, a visual look at how your vote matters, and easy ways to contact candidates.
With the primary election coming on Aug. 28, don’t forget to mail in your ballot by Aug. 22. And if you haven’t registered to vote yet, it’s not too late for the general election. Register by Oct. 9 and you’ll be able to vote on Nov. 6.
Take the time to get registered and get informed. Your vote — whether for a local school board seat, a state legislator or governor — has widespread impact on policy and funding. For instance, did you know that local school boards are responsible for choosing a district’s curriculum? And managing the district’s budget? At the other end of the spectrum, the state legislature creates laws related to schools and sets the state’s budget for education spending.
Know what your legislators are doing to support our schools. Elect officials who are committed to supporting the policies and long-term funding solutions. We need more who will support our shared vision for an excellent education for all students.
After all — it’s our schools that are working to create a better quality of life for us all. Today’s students are our future innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs.