Deeper education cuts looming

Further reductions in state aid to education could be ahead as Gov. Jan Brewer has proposed to retroactively cut funding to Jan. 1, 2010, for several programs.

According to a recent report, some of the affected programs are AIMS tutoring, GED diplomas, chemical abuse programs, gifted student programs and vocational education block grants.

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) notified school districts in a Jan. 6 communication, said Toni Badone, superintendent of Yuma Union High School District. The districts were told not to expect their third quarterly payments until the fourth quarterly payments were disbursed, she noted.

"The intent in the memo was we'd still get the funds but at a later date."

Three of the more significant funds impacted for YUHSD are the gifted, vocational and chemical abuse programs, she said.

"For the gifted programs, we're obliged to do the program whether the state gives us money or not. It serves the top 6 or 7 percent who need to be challenged beyond rigorous coursework."

The vocational block grants pay for career and technical education. The funds come from federal, state and district support. While state reductions will not eliminate the program, they will have to tighten their belts.

Some of the funds go to support travel expense for vocational students who hold competitions and also for special software programs. The chemical abuse program is aimed at freshmen who are instructed on how to avoid self-destructive behavior and peer pressure.

"It's frustrating we keep getting cut in all different ways," said Badone. "If they carry through on the memo, they need to act quickly so we can have time to plan."

Any additional cuts are expected to meet an April 1 deadline, Badone noted. Also, proposals are on the table for reducing support for all-day kindergarten, cut by $180 million, cut the remaining soft capital of $100 million and reduce charter school assistance by $10 million.

Badone noted that money for soft capital is "not just sitting around" but the district continues to pay for copier and bus leases they have already obligated. By eliminating soft capital, the district will have to take money out of unrestricted capital (buildings and infrastructure). That fund is already reduced to $500,000 and if it is spent, that leaves no contingency fund, she said.

"Education is an investment. If the Legislature wants to attract business to the state, we need to continue to provide high quality and a large variety of programs so all students are college- and career-ready."

Tom Tyree, Yuma County school superintendent, noted that this is just Brewer's first proposal and there will be some give and take during negotiations.

"I think to get a final budget, the majority party will all have to agree or else reach across the aisle to get a balanced budget. But it remains to be seen which way it will go."  

Rick Ogston, executive director of Desert View Elementary Academy and Carpe Diem Collegiate High School, both charter schools, said they are already operating under reduced funding. And according to ADE, charters are receiving $1,400 less per student than district schools.

"Children throughout Arizona have been affected by reduced programming and increased class sizes. Further reductions continue to jeopardize us. Districts and charters are in this together; we have the same goal: quality education."

Ogston said his greatest concern is reduction of full-day kindergarten. Studies have shown that full-day kindergarten provides increased student achievement in later grades and assists in social development, he said.

"These results are important to parents, educators and society. To jeopardize these programs by continuing to chip away at critical education funding is troubling."