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District hasn’t lived within its means

Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, Oct 22, 2008 - 05:19:44 am MST

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To the Editor:

As expected, the Sierra Vista school district override challenge failed. It is impossible to prevail in court; nevertheless illegal actions must be challenged. We must now concentrate on winning at the ballot box.

Override supporters accuse those against it of being against the kids. That is false. For example, my interest is ensuring the district honestly tries to live within its means, as must the rest of us. I’m not against paying more for education if a clear attempt to be cost-effective is demonstrated. There is no evidence the district is doing that.

I want to know for certain that more money really is needed. An Oct. 9 Herald/Review article indicated that even our governor has asked schools to explain their spending. Arizona school districts have a serious imbalance between administrative and classroom expenditures. Overrides are sought in part because of the imbalance. For districts to be cost-effective, they must adjust the balance between the two areas. More money should not even be considered unless that adjustment fails to provide enough to meet minimum classroom requirements. Our district spends 55.5 percent of its budget on the classroom versus 61.2 percent nationwide, for a 5.7 percent difference. Based on the 2008 $39 million maintenance and operations budget, moving 5.7 percent from admin to classroom would provide $2.22 million more for our kids. Economizing in other areas would increase that number.

We continually hear that Arizona ranks near the bottom of all the states in per pupil funding. However, the Goldwater Institute April 17, 2006, Policy Brief No. 06-02 titled, “Opening the Books: 2006 Annual Report on Arizona Public School Funding” clarifies that. The Institute states that Arizona’s handling of its multiple accounting systems makes it hard for the public to know how much is actually spent on public school students and difficult for policymakers to obtain accurate figures to establish school education policy. For example, the National Education Association, the country’s largest teachers’ union, says the state spends $5,222 per student, and Education Week’s annual “Quality Counts” ranking claims Arizona spends $6,331.20. In fact, the Institute maintains that for the same period those numbers were cited Arizona actually spent between $8,000 and $8,500 per student, very near the national average. The actual numbers apply to students without special educational needs making them minimum averages.

The being at the bottom in per pupil funding hype is intended to garner support for throwing more money at the education challenge without first demanding accountability. We need to consider reality rather than accepting operations as normal supported by the threat of cuts that may harm the kids. Do we want to continue throwing money at the problem, or demand the underlying problems be corrected before providing more money? Please vote “no” on the override.

Ron Murray

Sierra Vista

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examine budget wrote on Oct 25, 2008 3:58 PM:

" No matter what per pupil spending figure is mentioned, the teachers unions will always say it isn't enough. That is the nature of teachers as employees, always wanting a bigger salary which gets equated to per pupil figures. The real problem is the salary schedule that treats all teachers as equals despite a range of subjects being taught. That said, the per pupil figure really is useless. Education needs to be rated on results, not tossing more money info the fire. "

Hanky Panky wrote on Oct 24, 2008 9:05 PM:

" 60% of the state general fund is allocated to education. That must be REDUCED. We have other needs beside education which has seen a dramatic increase in the last 50 years (inflation adjusted figures) while test scores remain flat. Take note parents and school districts, you are getting less in the future, so use the money wisely and frugally. Don't like it? Move. Mexico is close. "

J. Skarhus wrote on Oct 24, 2008 4:06 PM:

" $7500 increase in 50 years!?!? That's your argument!?!?! Housing values doubled in less than 10. Gas prices almost trippled. Everything's more expensive!! For those who believe the district isnt' managing the insufficient funds it receives, you should have run for the school board. Most people have no idea what a district is required to spend to provide a quality education, as SVPS has done for many years. I lament the past problems, but especially considering all the unfunded state & federal mandates, not a school district in Arizona has enough funding. And we won't until we change our legislature! "

Taxpayer wrote on Oct 24, 2008 10:17 AM:

" My thanks also to Murray and Wenc for hanging in there. I'll be voting NO again because of the reasons stated in this letter -- NOT because I don't value education and NOT because I refuse to pay taxes -- but because I think they can do better if they try. Just like the rest of us must do with our personal finances year after year. "

Independent wrote on Oct 23, 2008 8:21 PM:

" Thanks to Murray and Wenc for standing up against extortion by the district. I only wish you had run for the board. Education spending has been growing for 50 years from $1214 after WWII to $8745 in 2002-with no appreciable change in test scores. In this time, education has come to mean free baby sitting, transportation, meals, etc. Economist Eric Hanushek of Stanford University examined every solid study on spending and outcomes (163 research papers)and concluded extra resources are more likely to be squandered than to have a productive effect. Money isn't the problem. Families are! "

not a dictatorship wrote on Oct 23, 2008 1:39 PM:

" A point many teachers(?) miss as they allude to personal attacks, is that voters have a right to vote for or against this tax. Just because it is in the name of schools does'nt mean the election is a formal rubberstamping. I'm choosing to rubberstamp NO. "

Pay Attention wrote on Oct 23, 2008 8:45 AM:

" You clearly did not get the facts straight on this issue. The district must follow the STATE budget which is cronically underfunded. So if you've got a problem with the local budget, you'll have to take it up with the state. And next time you feel like writing into the paper, check the facts before you go off with only half the information. "

Leonidas wrote on Oct 23, 2008 7:18 AM:

" Thank you, Mr. Murray for your courageous stand to fight the government reeducation camp pleas to increase the amount of money they continue to waste at an enormous rate. I say strike the root and get the government OUT of education entirely. To hey PAble: There is nothing "free' in this perverse economic transaction called government schools and I appreciate your backhanded slap at homeschoolers but you are whistling past the graveyard because they will always outperform the median government school student. Vote NO on higher taxes to dumb down the children. "

The study wrote on Oct 23, 2008 6:21 AM:

" The study you mention is dated 2006, but it's a very lengthy and complicated story the actual $ spent per student that you refer to is from 2003. The same article later mentions that in 2005 Arizona ranked more than $2000 less than 49 other states. It goes to show that you can manipulate the facts to try & get what you want which is very wrong Mr. Murray. "

billy g wrote on Oct 23, 2008 2:08 AM:

" HEY TEACHER WHAT SCHOOL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? "

Dear Concerned Citizen wrote on Oct 22, 2008 11:04 PM:

" It's obviously not illegal or he wouldn't have lost! You should call yourself "Self-concerned Citizen". "

Thanks again wrote on Oct 22, 2008 11:01 PM:

" The Goldwater study that Mr. Murray gets his info. from also states, "Arizona's current education finance system is complex and uncoordinated." Also, "with so many conflicting #s, it's difficult for legislators and taxpayers to know how much is being spent." Point made...write to your legislators and vote yes for this "prolematic education system". This state is not looking out for our children adequately. We need to do it. You have to wonder about this man who sues the district. Does SVPS now have to waste neeeded $ on legal costs for his unfounded suit? Vote YES! "

Thanks wrote on Oct 22, 2008 10:52 PM:

" I checked your sources Mr. Murray. The amounts you are giving us from the NEA and Education Week's Quality counts are from over 5 years ago. In the article you mention "Opening Books..." page 30 the very last sentence says in the the most recent Education Week's Quality counts (it's dated 2005 as opposed to your 2003) Arizona ranks 49 in student spending. I thank you for leading me to this article. I read the whole thing. I already voted YES! "

Solve the Problem wrote on Oct 22, 2008 9:45 PM:

" The schools may not be funded to extent they believe is necessary, but the override does not solve the basic problem. Until that is fixed, this agrument with go on indefinitely. It is a state wide problem requiring a state wide solution. Lots of promises/words on seeking a permanent solution same as last time. But nothing was done then and nothng will be done now. No new ways to raise revenue for education statewide will be proposed. The only way to force them to do so is to deny the overrides they seek in every school district starting here. "

As expected wrote on Oct 22, 2008 9:28 PM:

" As expected it failed because you guys don't have a clue what's really going on. All you care about is your wallets & I already voted YES for our children & our future! If it passes, maybe lovely coldhearted folks like you will move away to burden some other town with your unfounded woes! "

You lost wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:45 PM:

" Dear Mr. Murray,
You lost because you're WRONG! You don't really know much about what is really going on in our schools. When is the last time you helped out in our schools in ANY way??? "

Teacher wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:39 PM:

" I have a hard time with your cries for cuts in administration. When the first override was being considered someone complained that a Principal was making 60,000. For a person of higher education, some with a PHD and several (some with 20 years or more of experience), it was unbelievable to me that anyone would think that is too much for an administrator. Your stats are obviously very biased and don't hold much weight with me. The bottom line is even if you don't intend to hurt kids YOU ARE! the kids I love to teach! "

Teacher wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:33 PM:

" Mr. Murray,
I am disappointed to know that you are acting president of my homeowner's association and that you would sink so low to sue the school district. I am a veteran teacher who has worked in many different districts across the country. In the school I teach in, we recently replaced the nasty carpet that was over 19 years old. The walls have not been painted in 21 years. Our fields can never be green because of our water restrictions, our waterfountains never work. Our photo copy restrictions are very strict which is an issue. "

hey PAble wrote on Oct 22, 2008 4:40 PM:

" I'm sick of being crushed to death by your oppressive rhetoric and negative opinions. If you really believe that you are being tortured by the school system, than you must never have lived through any hardship. A good, free public Education will eventually solve our current problems. I don't see how sheltered creationist private school kids are going to figure it out. Vote Yes and support the children of this community. "

Taxed Out wrote on Oct 22, 2008 11:43 AM:

" Way to go Ron. Looks like an honest effort to manage would provide most of the money the district is asking for through the override. At least it should avoid taking away instruction many consider important for the kids. Superintendent Agenbroad, what are you doing to bring the district more into balance with the norms and look out for the kids? "

P. Able wrote on Oct 22, 2008 8:24 AM:

" I have already voted no Ron and I support you 100%. I'm so sick of being crushed to death by the local school system. I know in my heart that even if we vote down this override, the school system will continue it's proverbial "Chinese Water Torture" on the taxpayers until they get enough people to vote it in. Once again I say, if you need more money, get it from the parents. "

Dilbert wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:51 AM:

" Even simpler, they make more salary than the Governor and don't know how to draw up a budget that works. "

SierraVistan wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:47 AM:

" Ron - I watched my daughter go from Kindergarten all the way thru getting her AA from Cochise College. I can tell you that our school system needs every cent we can give it. Over the years I have donated thousands to the various schools she attended. As a republican I can tell you the overrides are the only taxes I will ever vote for. We, as a community, need to make up for the shortfall from the state. Almost all school districts in AZ operate on overrides. Our kids deserve an equal chance. Vote YES for the kids. "

Concerned Citizen wrote on Oct 22, 2008 7:41 AM:

" Thank you Ron for trying to stop this ILLEGAL override. I have already voted and voted NO on this. "