Now, schools cant even spend the still inadequate funds they were counting on to keep our schools open? First Name Last Name Email Please indicate your role in your school or district. Similar Facebook posts were shared in early August 2021 claiming some schools are closing their doors again, . But its downright galling that this governor continues to fight schools that are trying to protect kids and their teachers by requiring masks or testing or other mandates designed to ensure they can remain open. "When this was set in 1980, we didn't have Chrome tablets or whiteboards or any of the stuff that we have now that teaches our kids," State Sen. Fann said at the time. Ducey and Hoffman released a joint statement: In alignment with yesterdays updated federal guidance, today we are announcing the extension of school closures through the remainder of the school year. K-12 districts with mask mandates include: Higher education institutions with mask requirements include: Other districts have implemented partial mandates that apply only on school buses, on tribal land or when students and staff cannot implement social distancing. Oh sure, COVID-19 is spiking yet again with the highly contagious omicron variant. Coconino County publishes a COVID-19 school update every Friday that summarizes case rate and percent positivity at district level. Some districts maintain their own dashboards online. Published: Feb. 7, 2022 at 3:20 PM PST. Let me be perfectly clear that inaction is not an option, and its appalling that this was not the first issue addressed when the (policy) session started a month ago.. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Read more at UArizona News. For 2023, school district officials say they will be forced to cut their budgets for the current school year by more than $1.3 billion. This year, it seems its turned into a little bit of a political football field going back and forth, said Marisol Garcia, vice president of Arizona Education Association. In Arizona, he said on Tuesday, were going to ensure continued access to in-person learning.. Cheney believes the Legislature is trying to prevent Prop 208, an income tax rate surcharge on high-earners, from going into effect by not lifting the spending cap limit. (Arizona public school funding, by the way, alreadyranks lowest in the nation). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Copyright 2022 KOLD News 13. Though campuses are closed, the remote . Schools will not be able to maintain their current day-to-day operations without action, she said. said Lewis. Eighty-five percent of our budget is salary and benefits. In the past, when districts hit the decades-old aggregate expenditure limit, lawmakers voted to override it which hasnt happened this school year. Close your doors for even a day and you will . PHOENIX (AP) Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema reported raising just over $2.1 million in her first full fundraising quarter since leaving the Democratic Party, a smaller haul than the $3.7 million raised by Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is hoping to win her seat in 2024. Sadly, some legislators are already playing political games, trying to convince themselves and the public that the problem is because of district over-spending. Mail it to AZCIR: PO Box 3665, Phoenix, AZ 85030. All material must be attributed and credited prominently, and where appropriate for the material type throughout. State health officials said there are now 1,157 known coronavirus cases and 20 deaths. Here's what you need to know about why the state came so close to cutting school spending. Arizona public schools concerned over possible $1.2 billion in budget cuts, Tucson marks first 100-degree day of 2023, WARNING GRAPHIC VIDEO of officer-involved fatal shooting, Gov. From how it spreads to where it originated, here's a look at everything you need to know about the deadly contagion. Theres no new taxes, no new money involved in any of that, and its really difficult for anyone to understand because its a complex topic, she said. including Savanna Elementary School District in California and the Chandler Unified School District in Arizona. A two-thirds majority of the Legislature is needed to override the cap and allow the $1.2 billion to be spent. This technical roadblock means without immediate bipartisan legislative action districts across Arizona will have to eliminate 15% or more of their already approved budgeted expenses this spring. Public schools in Arizona are once again at risk of massive budget cuts and layoffs unless lawmakers vote to lift a constitutional spending cap that has been in place for decades. Huge things have changed since 1979 when the AEL was created. "That would be an incredible disaster. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Stay up-to-date on the most recent guidance, resources, and professional development offered by the Arizona Department of Education and our partners. State Sen. T.J. Shope, a Republican, does not support repealing the cap. We changed the rules on schools. A governor who actually pays bonuses to school districts that refuse to enact mask mandates using federal funding intended to fight COVID-19, no less. Chaos and confusion: Back to school turns ugly as Delta rages Nearly 18 months into the pandemic, there's no consensus on how to keep students and staff safe. News. The district provided no in-person classes from March 2020 through the end of the . Campbell, who was a senior reporter at The State Press, is working for the Phoenix news bureau. Edwards, who graduated from ASU in 2021, has interned with Phoenix New Times, Phoenix Magazine and Crime and Justice News. UArizona ranks 29 among top 100 universities granted US utility patents in 2022. Hoffman stressed the importance of school funding, saying in a written copy of her address, the biggest threat of widespread school closures comes not from the virus, but a school finance relic from 1980, the aggregate expenditure limit.. In-person learning is vital for the development, well-being and educational needs of K-12 students. 2023 Cronkite News. Phase 2, 2022-2023. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until MON 7:00 PM MST, Western Pima-South Central Pinal-Tohono Oodham Nation, Eastern Pima-Southeastern Pinal-Santa Cruz-Western Cochise, until SUN 5:00 PM MST, Maricopa County, Yuma County, Yuma County, from FRI 11:40 PM MST until TUE 11:30 PM MST, Maricopa County, from MON 9:00 AM MST until MON 11:00 PM MST, Northwest Plateau, Northwest Deserts, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, from SUN 11:59 AM MDT until TUE 12:00 AM MDT, Apache County, until MON 9:00 PM MST, Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail. But education advocates fear the Legislature isnt taking the cap seriously enough and that the March 1 deadline to approve the override will pass with no action taken, forcing districts to cut their budgets in the final quarter of the school year. Public school districts, mostly across the Northeast and Midwest, closed this week as the omicron variant of coronavirus surges following the winter break and the country's students face a mental . Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Maria Polletta is an investigative reporter for AZCIR focused on covering inequities in education. No schools were reported several weeks in January and February. That might mean cuts to labor forces meaning that our staff and teachers will get cut. Michael Tubbs, once the youngest mayor of a major American city, to address UArizona graduates at Commencement. Watch Now. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. It is adjusted each year to take into account inflation and the number of students who are enrolled. Cronkite News, the news division of Arizona PBS, is produced by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. */. Even so, that will only fix the problem for this spring. Click to reveal "That would mean laying off two-thirds of the teachers," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. Published: Feb. 8, 2022 at 5:11 PM PST. State Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said the amendment was a way to placate Arizonans concerned about high taxes. Back in 1980, a cap on school funding, also known as an Aggregate Expenditure Limit, was added to the Arizona Constitution. Her position is partially funded by Report for America, a national program that supports local journalists. Katherine Fung 12/23/2021. By: Sheenae Shannon, AEA Communications Director. You must use our. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. The cap only affects district public schools; charter schools did not exist in 1980. The economic estimates commission shall determine and publish prior to May 1 of each year the aggregate expenditure limitation for all school districts for the following fiscal year. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until MON 7:00 PM MST, Western Pima-South Central Pinal-Tohono Oodham Nation, Eastern Pima-Southeastern Pinal-Santa Cruz-Western Cochise, until SUN 5:00 PM MST, Maricopa County, Yuma County, Yuma County, from FRI 11:40 PM MST until TUE 11:30 PM MST, Maricopa County, from MON 9:00 AM MST until MON 11:00 PM MST, Northwest Plateau, Northwest Deserts, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, from SUN 11:59 AM MDT until TUE 12:00 AM MDT, Apache County, until MON 9:00 PM MST, Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail, Article 9, section 21, subsection 2 of the Arizona State Constitution, Murder, Money and the End of Days: The Lori Vallow story, Lori Vallow trial: Full-length audio files from inside the courtroom, Phoenix officer seriously injured by suspect, police say, Lori Vallow murder trial day 19: Hair from 'Doomsday mom' found on duct tape wrapped around dead son, Milwaukee woman stabbed sister to death amid feud: complaint, Cars parked at Gilbert daycares become target in latest string of break-ins, Shocking details revealed during 'Doomsday mom' Lori Vallow's murder trial: Live updates, Hair from 'Doomsday mom' found on duct tape wrapped around dead son, Here are tips on how to keep safe around water as summer nears, Some districts are considering to arm teachers amid school shooting epidemic, Arizona district installs weapon detection system in schools. Arizona superintendent urges lawmakers to act as schools face closure ticking timebomb, Superintendent Hoffman says schools face closure ticking timebomb, Tucson marks first 100-degree day of 2023, WARNING GRAPHIC VIDEO of officer-involved fatal shooting, Gov. "It looks like we will begin moving that piece forward in the next couple of weeks," said State Sen. Shope. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Were not talking about shifting to remote learning. On Aug. 16, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled the ban therefore would not take effect until Sept. 29. I originally planned to give a different speech today, she said. We will continue to work with families, public health experts and school leaders to ensure our kids can stay in the classroom and parents have a choice always.. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". January 6, 2022 at 11:22 a.m. EST. All rights reserved. We need an override by the Legislature, and then we need to fix it for the future.. Katie Hobbs signs house bill to fund Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, American Airlines pilots authorize strike; pickets planned at Phoenix Sky Harbor. Email covid.edu@azcir.org, or contact AZCIRs reporters: Which school districts have mask mandates in place? Its frustrating, he said, because every dollar needed for salaries and to fulfill budgets already has been approved by the Legislature. We knew this was going to become an issue. Since students returned to in-person learning in August, districts have reported more than 2,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and required thousands of students to quarantine. All stories must run in their entirety unless otherwise noted or agreed upon after discussion with AZCIR. John Brown expects to graduate in May 2023 with a bachelors degree in journalism and a minor in political science. These efforts are crucial, and we recognize that schools are making every effort possible to continue providing instruction during closures. FOX 10's Stephanie Bennett reports. At least 25 school districtsas well as several higher education institutionshave implemented broad campus mask requirements, arguing they have a duty to protect their students, staff and communities. The previous survey's results (Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, and Spring 2022) remain available in . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. One of the political issues at play is Proposition 208, which put a 3.5% tax increase on people with incomes over $250,000 for single tax filers or $500,000 for married filers. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. The Fifty. Questions? She said, for example, the Washington Elementary School District would lose over $25 million, Miami Unified School District would lose nearly $2 million, and Deer Valley Unified School District would lose more than $36 million. Its time we ask ourselves the question: Is it fair to continue asking children to sacrifice and suffer in order to protect unvaccinated adults? It is a Constitutional Amendment that was passed by Arizona voters in 1980 which created a spending limitation for school districts based on the aggregate expenditure of all districts. In a news release, Ducey, alongside . Published: 01/12/2022. Which counties have online dashboards or reports tracking COVID in schools? We should be spending more now because we have technology, and we should make sure kids know how to use it. Two-thirds of each house of the legislature would need to vote on a concurrent resolution to approve the excess spending. and last updated 9:42 AM, Feb 09, 2022. Taylor Lane expects to graduate in May 2022 with a bachelors degree in journalism. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. And if schools close because they are not authorized to spend money already sitting in their bank accounts, the blame will lie with you not our public schools, Hoffman wrote to lawmakers in her address. I get the decision out when I get it out., Ducey defends use of school funding in face of feds threat to reclaim it. While Duceys threat should play well for him politically especially with those always looking for an angle to expand the states school voucher program I wasnt aware that there was any groundswell of support for closing Arizonas schools. Over the years, lawmakers have voted to override it which hasnt happened yet this year. If districts were to spend the money anyway, that money would be pulled out of the next years budget. They also asked the governor to authorize Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, or school vouchers, for all students trapped in those districts. "I think the community is really just frustrated and kind of sick of this because it feels almost like a political football game. Gov. However, he says he is hopeful that a decision will be made relatively soon. PHOENIX Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman held her 2022 State of Education address Tuesday afternoon, heavily focusing on the . Read more at UArizona News. A democrat from Chandler has introduced a bill to eliminate the cap all together. AZCIR is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Tax ID #46-1209940. Since students returned to in-person learning in August, districts have reported more than 2,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and required thousands of students to quarantine. In a news release, Ducey, alongside Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman, said the extension of the school closures follows updated guidance from the CDC and the extension of social distancing guidelines until the end of April from the White House. 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In the past, said Chuck Essigs, the director of governmental relations for the Arizona Association of School Business Officials, overriding the limit was a technicality that was resolved quickly however, that wasnt the case this year. The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Close K-3 school Desert Garden Elementary School off 71st Avenue and Ocotillo Road and repurpose the building into a preschool facility. Copyright 2022 KOLD News 13. 360 Hiatt Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418. Then work with us to abolish this arbitrary, antiquated policy. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Arizona continues to rank dead last in the nation in per-student investment, according to Education Law Centers. When does the states ban on school mask requirements take effect? The restrictions now apply statewide with cases reported in all 15 counties. Sara Edwards expects to graduate in May 2022 with a masters degree focused on business journalism.