CALL TO ACTION!!!

The budget presented by the Governor of shows a baseline of how the state will support the public school system, including Agua Fria Union High School District. The Governor’s proposal includes several cuts that will adversely affect our Schools. Additionally, there are proposed bills that will also make cuts to our budget. If you are willing to do so, there is still time to talk to your legislators as budget talk’s start next week. Here are major issues that impact our District.

Non-Classroom Spending Reduction:

“The Executive [Governor] recommends a 5% reduction to non-classroom spending for district schools. Non-classroom spending includes administration, plant operations, food service, transportation, student support and instruction support. This reduction will come from District Additional Assistance.”

The planned cuts for Agua Fria Union High School District will mean a cut of between $1 Million to $1.5 Million annually. These cuts are in addition to the previous $2.5 Million per annum. These cuts would primarily effect capital (Land, Furniture, Equipment, software) dollars. According to the funding formula Agua Fria Union is supposed to receive $4 million in support for capital. These cuts would reduce our annual capital budget to approximately $400,000.

 Support Services Students includes – Attendance and Social work Services, Guidance Services, Health services, Nursing, Psychological Services, Speech Pathology and Audiology Services, Occupational/ Physical Therapy.  Support Services Instruction includes – Instruction and Curriculum Development, Instructional Staff Training, Library/ Media Services, Technology on campuses, Academic Student Assessment.  Administration includes – Governing Board, Superintendent, Executive Administration, Principals, Assistant Principals, Central Services, Budgeting, Payroll, Accounts Payable, Warehousing, Printing, Planning, Research, Development, Evaluation Services, Human Resources, and Central Technology Services.  Plant Operations – Activities concerned with keeping the physical buildings clean and ready for daily use. Building Maintenance, Upkeep or grounds, upkeep of ball fields, upkeep of equipment, Vehicle Maintenance (other than student transportation), Security, Safety.  Transportation – All Activities concerned with conveying students to and from school. This includes home to school trips and trips to school activities.  Food Services Operations – Activities concerned with providing food to students and staff in the District. This includes preparing and serving breakfast, lunches or snacks.

SB1371 – Phase out of Desegregation funding

This bill would phase out $1 million from our district M&O budget over 5 years. These dollars pay for desegregation in our schools. This would be a reduction in instruction salaries of $500K and $360K in Support Services for students and instruction. Student Success Fund Repeal

“The Executive recommends repealing Student Success Funding established in FY 2015, and transferring the funds to the newly created Access Our Best Public Schools Fund. “ This would eliminate $125,874 in support for the new teacher performance pay plan.

Please reach out to your representatives and let them know the effect this will have on your schools. See the attached list of representatives by school.

Senator E-mail Phone (602) Party School

D Democratic Lupe Contreras [email protected] 926-5284 Whip DO, AFHS Senate District 19

Lynne Pancrazi [email protected] 926-3004 D DEHS Senate District 4

Don Shooter [email protected] 926-4139 R MHS, VHS Senate District 13

Representative

Mark A. Cardenas [email protected] 926-3014 D DO, AFHS House District 19

Diego Espinoza [email protected] 926-3134 D DEHS House District 19

Darin Mitchell [email protected] 926-5894 R MHS, VHS House District 13

Steve R Majority Montenegro [email protected] 926-5955 Leader MHS, VHS House District 13

Lisa Otondo [email protected] 926-3002 D DEHS House District 4

Charlene Fernandez [email protected] 926-3098 D DEHS House District 4

Doug Ducey [email protected] 542-4331 R All Governor

Thank you for your continued support of our students and our schools and don’t hesitate to share this information with family, friends and others who support education.

Travis E. Zander, CPA Executive Director of Finance Agua Fria Union High School District No. 216 623-932-7007 [email protected]