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A1 Communications Cable Techs Health Care Sierra Tucson Eating Disorders Program Coordinator Trades/Construction RANCHO RESORT MAINTANANCE POSITION Tucson RegionTUSD board weighs budget override voteARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.12.2008
It costs more to fill up bellies and gas tanks, and layoffs lurk in employees' worst fears.
Arizona's recession alone poses a problem for those who want to ask voters in November to give the Tucson Unified School District new money to shrink class sizes, boost arts education and pay teachers more.
Then there's the general perception that TUSD is an embattled district, fresh from a discussion about closing schools because of slumping enrollment and empty coffers.
Even so, advocates will ask the TUSD Governing Board on Tuesday night to go ahead and schedule a budget override election, which would give the district additional budget capacity. The district is only one of two in Pima County not operating with override funding.
The proposal would seek roughly $27 million a year for five years, tapering down by about a third in the three subsequent years.
For taxpayers, that would mean paying about $10 extra a month for owners of a home worth about $150,000, said Mary Belle McCorkle, a former Governing Board member who chairs the override committee.
The money would be used on three items:
● Shrinking class sizes. The proposal would cap class sizes in kindergarten through second grade and for middle-school mathematics.
● Expanding the fine-arts program to every one of the district's elementary and middle schools, which would roughly double the program.
● Boosting pay for hard-to-fill positions, such as for those who teach math, science or special education.
"We realize it's not the perfect time, but the fact is we will lose these programs," McCorkle said. "If we don't get this — and we're two years away from implementation — likely we'll lose ground."
In 2007, the district capped kindergarten and first-grade classes at 18 students. Of 52 teachers who responded to a recent district survey, not one reported a negative experience. More than 80 percent reported a positive one.
But facing extreme budget pressure, the district raised the cap to 24 for next year, with the exception of 15 high-poverty schools.
With smaller class sizes and arts programs linked to higher achievement, McCorkle said, a key coalition is forming of override advocates.
"There's a real grass-roots movement growing, so we feel that in spite of all the bad stuff, this is really an opportune moment," she said.
Not everyone agrees.
"It's the wrong time," said Larry Aldrich, senior vice president for corporate operations and general counsel at University Physicians Healthcare, who has long been a district supporter.
Aside from the faltering economy, he said, the other timing problem is that incoming Superintendent Eliza- beth Celania-Fagen hasn't had a chance to address the district's issues and improve voter confidence.
"There's this general public perception — much of it not accurate — that the district is not being managed properly," Aldrich said.
Even though business leaders would like to see the district "right-size" the work force to match its lower student enrollment, Aldrich said, he believes the district has managed its finances well.
The district lost an attempt in 2004 to get more operating money. Voters gave the nod to bricks-and-mortar but nixed new operating funds. Those who want the district to hold off for a later election are concerned that if it fails again, voters could become conditioned to saying no, which could hurt future efforts to go to the ballot.
Aldrich said he'll work for it, if the board agrees to put it on the ballot, because he understands there is not enough money to pay for smaller classes and vital programs.
"The bigger question is, will the business community step up with the money to drive it? You'll find many in the business community saying, 'Not now. Next year would be so much better,' " he said.
Political consultant Pete Zimmerman said polls should show at least 60 percent of voters will support the measure for anyone to have confidence that it's the right time for an election.
"You'll get a number of people who, as they read articles and the election gets closer, will slip," Zimmerman said.
"With bond and override elections, voters usually start higher than they'll finish up. Support goes down even faster with active opposition."
District Superintendent Roger Pfeuffer said TUSD did a poll last year that showed 57 percent of voters would support giving the district more money. A new poll in the early spring, he said, came in at 67 percent.
"The override is something I believe is necessary for this district," Pfeuffer said. "And yes, it's going to be a challenge because I think there's been a lot of negative publicity about the district. I hope that people understand that the override, while not a silver bullet, is something that would at least put us on more of an even keel with the rest of the districts on overrides."
So far, that logic seems to be working with the TUSD board.
Board member Adelita Grijalva is a "yes" vote, largely because she's concerned about the reversal on class sizes.
Board President Alex Rodriguez said he, too, is leaning toward approval. "With us being 49th in the country in per-pupil spending, the state just is not getting it done for school districts," he said.
The district is working on its credibility problems, Rodriguez said, adding that he hopes an audit committee made up of independent volunteers can help regain public trust by poring over district finances.
"The issue really becomes a timing question," he said. "It seems like there's never a perfect time for an override, so failing to do it just means we're putting off implementing important programs that will improve the quality of education overall. People get what they pay for."
● Contact reporter Rhonda Bodfield at 573-4118 or at rbodfield@azstarnet.com.
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