Our children deserve this, without it they will loose the kind of education we had when we were their age and much more. Invest in our children, invest in the future.
I went to a meeting last night and learned a lot about the FUSD Override. Here is what I learned and some information that will help answer questions!
Ballets will be out on Feb 2, 2010
Ballets are due by March 9, 2010
WHAT IS THE OVERRIDE?On February 2, 2010, ballots will be mailed out to every registered voter in Coconino County. On that ballot will be a question: "Do you want to provide a 15% increase to the allocated Arizona State funding to be used for operations of the Flagstaff Unified School District?" This is the essential question.
WHY DO WE NEED AN OVERRIDE?The state of Arizona gives a block of money each year (currently to FUSD, approximately $56 million) to each school district for the purpose of daily operations. These operations include all mandated core education, teachers' salaries, supplies such as beakers in the science classroom, and other important staff such as school nurses.The term "override" is a bit misleading. Override sounds like the District has misused funds, or could have found ways to tighten their belt and lived within their means. However, the Arizona State budget has experienced such a severe shortfall of revenue even basic education money has been cut. Thus, the only means to fund some programs such as band and drama, and even needed personnel such as school nurses and assistant principals in larger schools, is to ask you, the Coconino County residents, to approve this Override.We at Citizens For School Success have examined the structure and fiscal practices of the Board of FUSD. We believe the Board has demonstrated a tremendous amount of fiscal responsibility. We believe more effective communication by FUSD will help the general public understand their hard work. We want to encourage FUSD to speak up more often, while we work with them to support our children's by passing this override.
WHAT IF THE OVERRIDE FAILS?Until the State of Arizona decides on the 2010 budget for education, no one knows the extent of the cuts Flagstaff schools will undergo. We do know many existing programs are already either under-funded or will not be funded under our current budget. Programs that would be considered for cutting are the non-core education programs such as chorus, band, athletics, and many other electives(music, art). Important staff positions could be cut such as school nurses, assistant principals, janitorial staff, and teachers. Classroom sizes will probably continue to increase and aids will not be available to those students who need them most.We all feel the effects of the nation-wide economic recession. It is more important than ever to make sure our children's education is properly funded. While, "children are our future" is cliche', it is up to all of us to ensure the future of our children is not slighted through substandard education. The Citizens For School Success encourage all to vote YES on the FUSD Override. When you do, be sure to sign your ballot, and mail it back as soon as possible before the March 9, 2010 deadline.
A WORD ABOUT THE RECENT CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS We have all seen the improvements and construction at the Flagstaff school facilities. New football fields, upgraded and safe electrical repairs, and many high tech supplies to the classrooms have been added over the past couple of years. ALL of these improvements have been paid for by the 2006 Voter Approved Bonds. None of the bond money can be used for general maintenance and operation of the day to day needs for education. The way we fund education in Arizona means we have separate and non-transferable money sources for facilities and education. There is a common - yet very false - notion the money used for building a new football field should instead be used to pay for more teachers or other educational programs. However, it is illegal to use the bond money for educational operations. The passing of the bonds in 2006 affirmed Flagstaff voters really do support our education system. It is now time to continue to show our support for our children's future by passing this override.
WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL CLOSURES AND REDISTRICTING IN FUSD Many of us are concerned about the proposed closing of schools and redistricting in FUSD. However, the focus of Citizens for School Success is the passing of the budget override. These two issues must be kept separate.
Information Sources:
Political Action Committee (PAC), Steering Committee and Supporter Information, and how to donate to the PAC
CitizensforSchoolSuccess.com
To request signs, other campaign materials, or have your name added to the CFSS website as a supporter:
http://citizensforschoolsuccess.com/info@citizensforschoolsuccess.com
Facebook
2009 Budget Override Forum
FUSD Fiscal Year 2010/11 Budget Outlook
http://www.fusd1.org/fusd1/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=288837
FUSD Governing Board (keep checking back for added information)
http://www.fusd1.org/19271065144137967/site/default.asp
FUSD Superintendent’s Corner
http://www.fusd1.org/19271065144154483/site/default.asp
Myths v. Facts
#1 - Myth:
FUSD is top-heavy in administrative expenses.
Fact:
The State Auditor General conducted a district audit beginning in 2006. A Report of that audit was finalized in 2008. The report stated that FUSD’s school level administrative expenditures were higher than other districts. This could be said for the following reasons:
· Most of the districts that FUSD was compared to are smaller (apples to oranges).
· Flagstaff has underutilized schools. As each of those schools needs to have school level administrators, FUSD’s school level administrator to student ratio was higher than other districts (this will be changed by school closures).
· Some non-classroom employees such as nurses, librarians, and information technology specialists were coded as “administrative personnel” and still are.
· In consideration of our public school population, Flagstaff receives Title I funding (Improving The Academic Achievement Of The Disadvantaged). This funding is separate from M&O money, but still appears to be administrative, so even though we have it because we need it, it adds to administrative numbers.
Therefore, the district has never been “top heavy” in the sense that people have assumed. Also, administrative costs have been cut since then and in when checked again 2008 by the same agency, admin costs were below the state and national average.
#2 – Myth:
The district needs money because they have mismanaged their budget.
Fact:
Thee is no indication the Disctrict has mishandled money. The district needs money for the following reasons:
Employee insurance costs are increasing
AZ State Retirement System costs are increasing
Utilities funding ($1.4M) has been cut from the budget
Decreased enrollment (loss of per student funding)
Loss of override funds (previous override phasing out)
The state is predicting cuts of 6%, 9%, or 15% from the 2011 operating budget
#3 - Myth:
A no vote for the override will send a message to the FUSD Board Members and Administration that I am unhappy with the way the district is being run.
Fact:
An email, telephone and letter writing campaign and an effort to attend FUSD Board meetings will send that message. A no vote will place Flagstaff’s public school system and local economy in jeopardy. ********************************************************************************************GENERAL INFO: (from the Coconino County Elections website)
On March 9, 2010, Flagstaff Unified School District #1 will conduct an override election to exceed its revenue control limit by 15 percent. If this override passes, it will be in effect for seven years.
Voters will be asked to vote on the following issue:
· To adopt a General Maintenance and Operation Budget which exceeds the revenue control limit specified by statute by fifteen percent for fiscal years 2010-2011 through 2014-2015 with the amount of the proposed increase in fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, reduced to ten percent and five percent, respectively. The 2010-2011 budget override authority represents an extension and increase of the existing budget override authority, which has phased down by one-third in the current fiscal year (2009-2010), and will phase down by an additional one-third for fiscal year 2010-2011 if the voters do not approve the override.
The Coconino County Superintendent of Schools office will prepare an informational pamphlet for the election. The pamphlet will be mailed to households with qualified electors who reside within the school district. Arguments “For” and “Against” this special budget override are being requested for inclusion in the Informational Report, which will be reviewed by the School Superintendent to ensure all statements are factual. Any inaccurate statements will be corrected. Any portion of the written arguments identified as statements of the author’s opinion will not be reviewed and corrected.
Arguments are to be 200 words or less and must be typed or printed, and signed by the author. The arguments should include the author’s name, address, telephone number, a signature, and whether or not the name can be printed in the information pamphlet.
Arguments must be received by 4:00 p.m., December 29, 2009, in the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools office, Ponderosa High School, 2384 N Steves Blvd., Flagstaff, AZ, 86004. Faxes will be accepted at (928)679-8077; however, the original must be mailed to Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, 110 East Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001.
For more information, please call the office of the Coconino County School Superintendent at (928) 679-8070.
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