What Ducey budget got right on schools
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s K-12 spending plan is worth applauding. Not all of it, but some of his public education priorities could make a dent – however small.
The problem? It isn’t nearly enough to make up for Arizona’s low-spending per pupil and teacher pay, among other things.
But for now, let’s look at what is good under Ducey’s proposed budget.
It includes $204 million to fully restore additional assistance funding for public K-12 schools. This means capital costs for things such as improved transportation, aging technology and outdated textbooks can finally begin being addressed.
Another $38 million would fund the remaining 461 first-choice requests from schools that applied for, but did not re
ceive, a school safety grant in December 2019. This means, according to Ducey, 162 new school counselors, 155 social workers and 144 school resource officers.
And $175 million to fulfill the governor’s promise of raising teacher pay 20% by 2020.
Those numbers are a step in the right direction. But a few other key things also deserve investment.
According to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, when adjusted for inflation, Arizona is still investing less per student than we did in 2008 when it comes to educating our children.
Arizona teacher salaries averaged just $49,892 in 2019, placing our state in the bottom 10 nationally when it comes to teacher pay. For comparison, the national average salary for a teacher is $61,730.
In his Executive Budget Briefing, Ducey states, “Here, we’re not just open for business – we’re open for opportunity – for everyone. And as a result, we’re now the number one inbound state in America.”
That’s noteworthy. And it would be commendable if the state’s investment into public education matched that of our regional trade competitors.
When adjusted for regional cost differences, Nevada invests $9,185 into each student. Colorado? They believe a student is worth $10,053. And New Mexico chooses to invest $10,754 into a child’s future.
In Arizona, a child’s education is worth just $8,335, placing us well behind our surrounding economic competitors.
I wish the opportunity the governor references was as open to our kids as it is for our inbound corporations.
Ducey’s proposed numbers are a step in the right direction. But Arizona has a longer distance to cover to make up from coming from so far behind.
A few steps won’t cut it. Arizona’s children need big, bold strides in order to realize the opportunity the governor touts.
For too long, Arizona has sidestepped the investments our students need. Now, our children have a longer race to run. It’s up to each of us to make sure our governor and Legislature sprint toward the opportunity every child deserves.
Rhonda Cagle is founder of Leverage Consulting Agency, serving educational and non-profit agencies. She is a member of the Board of Contributors for The Arizona Republic. Follow her on Twitter: @RhondaCagle1