A Prop

We are at a crucial time in Arizona, not just for the present but for the future. Drastic funding cuts have put public education in Arizona in an untenable position, and that means that our young people are at risk of not receiving the quality of education they deserve and need to compete in their adult world.

Proposition 100, if passed, would provide a temporary 1% sales tax and two-thirds of the revenue generated is designated for K-12 education. Understand that this is not a boon to the budgets of school districts, but rather a stopgap measure that would only soften some of the impending cuts already in the state budget. With Arizona's per-pupil expenditure for K-12 education already near the bottom in the United States, the diminished funding for next school year is devastating. Scottsdale Unified School District projects a $10 million decrease in funding, which will result in 112 fewer teaching positions, causing class sizes to increase again. Larger classes mean that students receive less individual help, instruction is more homogeneous and less creative, and student discipline becomes a great problem. Additionally, teachers will be less likely to volunteer for after-school activities that enhance students' experiences. All of this will occur even if the sales tax is approved. Imagine the disaster is the proposition fails, because another $11 million will have to be cut at the Scottsdale district.

A concern for all citizens is the staggering dropout rate in our high schools. Most of us agree that students need to graduate to become more productive citizens and be a part of the skilled workforce that business and industry leaders require for a vibrant state economy. If Proposition 100 fails, many of the programs that sustain student interest, such as athletics, art, music, and theater, will be on the chopping block. Some elective courses in the area of career and technical education will likely be reduced as well, and these directly impact the state's workforce. The loss of these non-core classes and activities will result in higher dropout rates as these programs provide relevancy to the school day for many students. The downward spiral continues as fewer students graduate and their projected earnings decrease -- and state revenues fall accordingly.

Even if it passes, Proposition 100 is not enough for education or Arizona. We need to elect legislators and other state leaders who understand the importance of investing in our students to create a better future for our state.