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Zach Colick
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Posted: Tue Jun 23rd, 2009 11:24 pm |
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Editor's note: The following story appears in the June 24 Scottsdale Independent. Post comments by hitting reply in the upper right-hand corner. Comments will be posted in an upcoming issue of the Scottsdale Independent.
Campaign launched to save K-3 teachers
CCUSD override impacts staffing levels, instructional materials for young students
By Greg Smith
Volunteer contributor
The third time’s the charm.
After previous efforts fell short during the past two years, a new grassroots group is starting stronger and earlier to maintain K-3 override funding in the Cave Creek Unified School District.
“We’re thrilled to see so many community members joining us so early in the process,” said Stephen M. Hart, leader of LearnYes, the new political action committee.
Mr. Hart said starting a campaign earlier in the year to help maintain K-3 funding, which provides for instructional materials and the staffing of teachers, could help with election results in November compared to previous attempts in year’s past.
“Things are different this time. Instead of a handful of people starting in the fall, we’re starting in June with around 50 campaign workers, and we’re growing every day,” Mr. Hart said. “We’re going to win this crucial election.”
The Nov. 3 ballot measure — containing no new taxes — would retain about $966,000 in existing funding for kindergarten through third grade. The sum would pay for instructional materials and save at least 15 teachers.
“The district budget crisis is too painful already,” said Mr. Hart, who hosted a kickoff event June 13 in Cave Creek. “We cannot afford to lose another 15 teachers. We cannot let class sizes grow larger.”
The district, which is facing an estimated budget shortfall of between $4 million and $6 million for the coming fiscal year, has sent pink slips to 87 teachers. The 2009-10 fiscal year begins July 1.
LearnYes spokesperson Greg Smith said hard-working volunteers got close the past two years, but they “didn’t have enough help to get over the finish line.”
“We’re hitting the reset button and going beyond fliers and election signs,” he said. “We’re taking it to a new level.”
Mr. Smith said successful campaigns demand oversized manpower.
“Maybe in the past busy, working parents didn’t find the time to volunteer,” he said.
“Now, people are mobilizing; we have maybe 10 times as many volunteers this year.”
In an ironic twist, adversity might help the campaign’s chances, Mr. Smith said.
“Never in decades have Arizonans heard so much about the state’s neglect of education,” he said. “Finally, people are realizing schools are in trouble. Finally, voters are getting it.”
Taxes would continue under the measure at an annual rate of $19.95 on a $500,000 home, or “the price of two cheese pizzas,” according to Mr. Smith.
Without the override, the district says it would shift teachers from higher grades to “reduce the damage at lower grades.”
“Expect larger class sizes at all grades if this goes down,” Mr. Smith said.
Visit http://www.ccusd93.org for more information about the district’s K-3 override.
To learn more about the LearnYes grassroots campaign, visit http://www.learnyes.org. Greg Smith can be reached at 480-575-5500.
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