If approved, Proposition 123 will add $3.5 billion in education spending over 10 years. While that sounds like a lot of money, some say it’s more of a drop in the bucket: $300 per student per year.
"This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reset the trend line on education funding," Gov. Doug Ducey said Monday during his State of the State address.
Arizona ranks a dismal 49 out of 51 in states’ per-pupil K-12 spending, according to 2013 U.S. Census data. Proposition 123's extra $300 per child per year is not enough to change our ranking. Arizona would have to spend more than $3,000 extra per student per year to reach the national average in spending.
"49th is not an enviable position," Let’s Vote Yes for Arizona Schools spokesman Christian Palmer said. "But Prop 123 means the world to schools that need help now. It means the world to teachers who need help now."
School districts tell ABC15 that they'll use most of their Prop 123 money on teacher raises or to reduce class sizes, but it may not improve recruitment of new teachers, most of whom graduated college out of state.
"If our per-pupil funding is 49th or 50th, it's tough for us to compete" Casa Grande Elementary School District Superintendent Frank Davidson said.
"It just has to be a first step because we've cut billions in K-12 funding over the last eight years,” Arizona House Minority Leader Eric Meyer said.
At the State Capitol Wednesday, education advocates urged legislators to sign a pledge that they won't use this year's state surplus and rainy day fund this year on tax cuts.
"This money should be reinvested in our education system. We should refer to it as our emergency education fund," said Charlie Fisher, who was gathering signatures.
