More details are needed on Ducey’s plan for teachers

Questions remain on funding, and other issues still on table

On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Doug Ducey unveiled a plan to provide Arizona teachers with a 20 percent pay increase by the 2020-2021 school year.

The increase would come gradually, with a 9 percent raise by the new school year, another 5 percent hike for the 2019-2020 school year, and 5 percent more the following year, according to Capitol Media Services. The final 1 percent stems from the raise teachers received this year. Critics note that the governor has yet to outline how he will fund his plan, nor does Ducey include education support staff.

Ducey’s plan also doesn’t address how to decrease class sizes to a 23:1 student-to-teacher ratio, which is another demand of the Arizona Educators United, which organized the #RedforEd movement earlier this week. Class sizes all over the state, including many in Yuma County, are too big, which presents challenges for teachers and students alike. Adequately addressing that issue, however, likely means more schools, more classrooms and more teachers — and that means more money.

The National Education Association reports that Arizona currently ranks 43rd in the nation in terms of how much it pays its teachers. Capitol Media Services reports that with Ducey’s proposal, Arizona would still be below the national average, but above where it is currently. The next step is figuring out how Arizona would pay for Ducey’s plan — and ensure that the funding stays in place, without robbing other areas of school funding.

It doesn’t make sense to take the funds from areas bookmarked for needs such as books or classroom supplies, because those needs still must be met as well. Teachers and students alike still need the necessary equipment for success.

Ducey said that because Arizona’s economy is growing, there are new dollars to use to meet education needs, and that he can also find funding through “strategic efficiencies” in state government, Capitol Media Services reports.

It sounds great in theory. But how will that translate in reality?

For now, Ducey’s plan sounds like a step in the right direction. But there are still many questions left to be answered before teachers can take this as a victory.

What do you think, readers? Share your thoughts online at www.YumaSun.com, or send us a Letter to the Editor at letters@yumasun.com.

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