6 minute read
Education
Filing Taxes Soon? Consider Utilizing the Arizona Tax Credit Donation to Benefit CCUSD Schools
By Cort Monroe, Ed.D., CCUSD Superintendent
Happy New Year! Have you ever heard of the Arizona Tax Credit Donation? This is an easy way to support the students, schools, and programs in the Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD).
It benefits qualified activities or qualified programs at $400 for married couples filing jointly and, for individual taxpayers, the limit is $200.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
Any individual (parent or not) can contribute to the school of his/her choice to help fund qualified activities or qualified programs and receive a tax credit from the state. Contributions are donated directly to schools.
An Arizona tax law (A.R.S. 43-1089.01) allows individuals or married couples to contribute funds to a public school and receive a tax credit. Donors can reduce the amount owed on their state income taxes by up to $400 for contributions to support qualified activities or qualified programs at any Arizona public school.
A contribution that is made on or before April 15, following the close of the taxable year, may be applied to either the current or preceding taxable year and is considered to have been made the last day of that taxable year. A tax credit is different from a tax deduction because it is an actual credit against the income tax imposed upon an individual.
Q. What public schools/grades are eligible for the credit?
A. Public schools that provide instruction in grades K-12 are eligible for the credit. Preschools do not qualify for the credit.
Q. What are some qualified activities or qualified programs?
A. Extracurricular activities, character education programs, standardized testing fees for college credit, preparation courses for standardized testing, the career and technical education industry certification assessment, and CPR training.
Q. What are character education programs?
A. A character education program is a program defined in ARS 15-719. Under this statute each district may develop its own course of study for each grade. At a minimum, the character education program must include instruction in the definition and application of at least six of the following character traits: truthfulness, responsibility, compassion, diligence, sincerity, trustworthiness, respect, attentiveness, obedience, orderliness, forgiveness, virtue, fairness, caring, citizenship, and integrity.
Q. Must a public school issue a receipt to the taxpayer for contributions made or fees paid for qualified activities or qualified programs?
A. Yes. The receipt includes the public school name, school district number and CTDS number, taxpayer name and address, amount paid, date paid, and a description of the activity or program being supported.
Q. What are extracurricular activities?
A. Extracurricular activities are school sponsored activities that may require enrolled students to pay a fee in order to participate. Generally, educational or recreational activities that supplement the educational program of the school are considered to be extracurricular activities.
Q. Can a taxpayer make a payment of fees to an organization (e.g., PTA, school foundation, or school club) which then gives the funds in a lump sum to the school or directly pays for qualified activities or qualified programs?
A. No. ARS 43-1089.01 requires that the fees be paid “to a public school.” Therefore, the payment must be made directly to the public school.
Scan the QR code below to find out more.
Thank you for your support. The Cave Creek Unified School District equips students with essential knowledge and skills to become critical thinkers who pursue their passion in a dynamic global society. The tax credit donation is one way in which you can help support this vision.
Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader of the Year Program Now Accepting Applications
The City of Phoenix Youth and Education Office is now accepting applications for the 2022 Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader of the Year awards.
The awards recognize and honor the outstanding achievements of young people, enhance the perception of youth, and raise community awareness of their positive contributions.
This awards program is open to any students currently enrolled in high school in Phoenix or lives within Phoenix city limits.
Here’s how it works:
• Two students will be selected as winners from each city council district and receive an award of $500. • In addition, each district-level winner will be eligible for an additional $1,500 award if they are selected as the citywide winners.
Students interested in applying will need to write an essay, submit a recommendation letter, and proof of legal residence in the United States. Finalists will be interviewed by members of the community. District award winners will be invited to a luncheon sponsored by Rotary 100 and Salt River Project (SRP) where the citywide award winners will be announced.
Eligible students can apply online at phoenix. gov/education/outstanding-youth-leader/awardapplication before 5 p.m. on Friday, February 25. For more information, contact the Youth and Education Office at mailbox.youth@phoenix.gov.
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Education
Highlighting Great Accomplishments at PVSchools
By Troy J. Bales, Ed.D., Superintendent of PVSchools
We are halfway through the school year, and we have so much to be grateful for at PVSchools. Join me in highlighting these great accomplishments.
Notable academic accolades include six 2022 National Merit Semifinalists and 20 National Merit Commended Students. Also, U.S. News and World Report named eight schools in PVSchools best in the public elementary and middle school categories.
PVSchools students continue to demonstrate their talents in fine and performing arts. For example, marching bands from all five district high schools participated in the 2021 Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade.
On the court, our student athletes continue to dominate. Horizon High School Girls Volleyball team won the 2021 AIA 5A Championship. During her tenure as head coach, Valorie McKenzie has amassed more than 1,000 wins.
In the classroom, our teachers are acknowledged for their top-notch teaching and learning expertise. Amanda Cherry, a science teacher in the CREST program at Paradise Valley High School, received the 2021 High School Science Teacher of the Year
award presented by the Arizona Science Teachers Association.
Our Volunteer In Paradise program was certified as a Service Enterprise by Points of Light. Furthermore, Cathy McKeever, a member of the program, received the Daily Point of Light Award. Visit pvschools. net/vip to learn more.
We also recently celebrated the completion of two construction projects with ceremonial ribbon-cuttings at Sky Crossing Elementary and Roadrunner School. These projects were funded by voter-approved bonds and wouldn’t have been possible without the continued support of our community. We want to thank our community and voters for supporting public education and students in PVSchools.
There is still time to enroll in one of our schools for the 2022-23 school year. There is a different journey of excellence for every student. And, with every journey, there are new and exciting paths waiting to be taken, discoveries to be made, and abilities to be realized. To learn more about these incredible opportunities, award-winning programs, and enrollment opportunities, visit pvschools.net/enroll.
It’s been a challenging year for transportation around Arizona, throughout the country, and right here in PVSchools. It’s not just bus drivers; we are short staff in other critical support positions. I encourage you, your friends, families, and neighbors to consider joining PVSchools by applying for one of our much-needed positions. Not sure how to drive a school bus? We will teach you. If you’re looking for a rewarding career, visit jobs.pvschools.net.
