Tag: KTAR News
Arizona group says Prop. 126 will hurt education, transporting funding
A diverse group of opponents is coming out strongly against a ballot measure that would bar the Arizona Legislature from taxing services, saying it will decimate education and transporting funding.
The group pointed to a Wednesday report from the Grand Canyon Institute highlighting what they say are problems with Proposition 126, especially a $250 million hit to the state’s schools starting in 2021 and 33 to 44 percent cuts in regional transportation taxes in Maricopa and Pima counties when they come up for renewal in the next decade.
Do charter schools favor students from higher income areas? See related news here
Do charter schools discriminate in enrollment, favoring students from higher-income areas, and capping the number of special education and English language learner students they take?
Charter schools get tax money, and they’re an alternative to public schools, but critics say some charters try to steer clear of certain kinds of students, and they say that’s illegal and unacceptable.
Arizona Chamber of Commerce files suit to quash education tax proposal. See related news here
PHOENIX — The fate of whether voters get to decide on a higher income tax on the wealthy could depend on a judge’s math decision.
A lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry contends the petitions circulated by the #InvestInEd committee are “objectively false and misleading.” Attorney Kory Langhofer wants a judge to block the issue from getting on the November ballot.
The measure, if approved, would boost income tax rates on individuals making more than $250,000 and couples in the $500,000-plus range, to raise an estimated $690 million for education.
Arizona awarded $60,000 grant to help close college attainment gap. See related news here
Arizona is getting some help to close the education attainment gap, thanks to a new grant.
The $60,000 grant is from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and the Lumina Foundation.
It’ll go toward efforts to close the education attainment gap for Latinos and Native Americans – two groups less likely to hold a post-secondary degree than their white counterparts.
Statewide news: A parents’ guide for what to expect during the teacher walk-out
Why are teachers walking out of school?
A majority of teachers voted to walk-out of classrooms to protest low teacher pay and per-pupil funding said leaders of Arizona Educators United and Arizona Education Association during a press conference on Thursday, April 21.
School safety plan finally introduced in Arizona Senate. See related stories here
Legislation implementing Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s wide-ranging school safety proposal by the Feb. 14 school shooting in Florida that left 17 dead has been introduced in the state Senate after nearly a month of delay.
The proposal introduced (April 11) comes after major opposition from some majority Republicans led to some changes.
Report: Arizona Soars to 49th in Elementary Teacher Pay – For Now. See related stories here
Arizona elementary teachers are no longer the worst-compensated in the country, researchers say.
We’re now second-to-last behind Oklahoma, but maybe not for long — teachers there are on the picket lines.
After Gov. Ducey signs tax extension, teachers say it’s not enough. See related education stories here
On the same day Gov. Doug Ducey extended a tax to pay fund education, leaders in a growing teachers group vowed to keep up the pressure on state leaders for better teacher pay.
Noah Karvelis, one of the top organizers of the “#RedForEd” movement, said a widespread teacher strike is still an option.
Thousands to march on Arizona’s capitol (On March 24) in response to Florida shooting. See related stories
Two teenagers in Arizona have organized a protest in an effort to call for a change in gun laws, mental health education and school safety following last week’s deadly Florida high school shooting.
Samantha Lekberg, a Willow Canyon High School student, and Jordan Harb, a student at Mountain View High School, are two of the organizers of the #MarchForOurLives in Phoenix.
The march is set to kick off at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix at 10 a.m. on March 24.
Lawmakers seek to extend Arizona’s education sales tax with new bill
A bill making its way through the Arizona State Legislature seeks to protect funding for public schools.
House Bill 2158 would continue the education sales tax for another eight years. Currently, it generates $643 million a year for Arizona’s K-12 public schools as well as for the state’s public colleges and universities.
State Rep. Doug Coleman, R-Apache Junction, said his bill is designed to “get rid of the fiscal cliff that’s approaching due to the expiration of the education sales tax.” He noted the education sales tax is set to expire in three years, and that’s creating uncertainty among schools.
