The executive budget proposal put forth by Governor Doug Ducey for the coming year is being met with criticism by Arizona school district superintendents concerned about the impact of the proposed cuts to K-12 education funding.

Schools throughout the state have been struggling with budget constraints for the past six years, and the proposed budget includes a five percent cut to all non-classroom areas. If approved, it would reduce funds by $120 per student, which could affect counseling, administration, custodial and transportation, as well as tutoring, coaching and extracurricular activities.

The Arizona Superintendents Association (ASA) expressed its concerns regarding the proposed cuts in a letter to legislators signed by 233 Arizona school superintendents who are members of ASA, including those from the Holbrook, Winslow and Joseph City school districts.

According to Winslow Superintendent Lance Heister, the cuts would have an approximate $262,000 impact on his district. For Holbrook, it would be approximately $240,000 and for Joseph City, $52,000.

Heister predicts such cuts would have far reaching implications in a small rural community. “This would have a significant economic impact on the community. At the district we employ 325 people and 200 of those are support staff, people who are not in the classroom. Those are funds that would, in turn, go back into our community, used to pay rent, shop and eat. It could have a broader impact to other businesses and affect the jobs of waitresses, baggers and other service people in the community,” he said.

He anticipates that such cuts would also affect student outcomes. “We live in an area where more than 40 percent of our students’ households are below poverty level. When you have that kind of poverty, services are important. We’re talking about counseling, psychologists and other special services. Because of support like this, we have students who are the first in their family to attend college. They receive support on understanding financial aid and scholarships. Before, the connection was not being made,” he said.

According to Heister, the perception is that the funds will be rolled over into in-class services, but there is nothing in the budget proposal that states that will take place. “I would urge the public to contact Senator Sylvia Allen regarding this. On average, a legislator will only hear from three or four people on any given issue and this is an important one,” he said.

The senator can be reached by phone at (602) 926-4118, by mail at 1700 W. Washington, Room 303, Phoenix, Ariz. 85007-2890 or by email at sallen@azleg.gov.