Invest in education and brighten Arizona’s future
BY ELICIA BIVINS
I spent Saturday watching my two young daughters play soccer on a beautiful Arizona spring day. As I was watching them play and grow, I, like most moms, could not help but have concerns about their future in this state.
I feel extremely fortunate to live here in Chandler and know that, based on the hard and dedicated work of over 2,000 CUSD employees, my daughters are currently receiving a quality education. However, as I read about Gov. Doug Ducey’s budget and follow the proposed bills of Arizona’s legislature, I can’t help but have deep unease for the future of my native Arizona. Arizona can easily be put back on the proper path to a bright future, but we need to demand that our state leaders invest in and support public education.
In light of Gov. Ducey’s first 100 days in office along with the actions of our state House, it is clear that we are engaged in a “race to the bottom.” We should not be surprised, as a candidate, Gov. Ducey stated he would prefer to see our tax rate drop toward zero. Where have the state’s previous tax policies left us? I was listening to the radio recently and they were profiling how women’s pay compares to men. The national average is 77 cents on the dollar for women to men. Arizona’s average is above that at 84 cents on the dollar. Although it may seem like this puts Arizona at an advantage, it actually shows that men and women have more equal pay because a majority of our state’s workforce only earns the low minimum wage rate. Ask yourself, what type of state do you want to live in? Do you want a state that only attracts lowwage jobs and provides a limited future? To me the answer is simple, we need to invest more in our public schools and universities.
Mr. Ducey has a lack of respect for and understanding of public education, which was prominently on display during his campaign.
At a debate held right here in Chandler, at the Chandler Center for the
Eddie Farnsworth of Gilbert who pushed hard for a bill benefiting the charter schools he owns and operates, or Sen. Steve Yarbrough, who receives a yearly salary in excess of $100,000 to represent the Arizona Christian School Tuition
Arts, near the city’s original and highly rated high school, he talked about the need to support successful charter schools such as Great Hearts. Do you realize that in the entire state Great Hearts only produced 225 graduates last year? BASIS was even lower, producing only 100 graduates statewide. Public schools in Arizona produced over 55,000 graduates last year. We need a governor and state leaders who focus more on the 55,000 students and not give preferential treatment to a small number of students.
Of course we should not be too surprised based on the fact that our state House has representatives such as Rep.
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Organization. Gov. Ducey himself had to change his early focus of trying to limit school funding based on administration costs and classroom dollars. Apparently, he was unaware that charter schools spend on average only 50 percent of their budget in the classroom, and their administrative costs are routinely over 20 percent. As a comparison, CUSD is above the state average and, despite large budget cuts in recent years, spends over 60 percent of its budget in the classroom and has one of the state’s lowest administrative costs (less than 8 percent).
After Gov. Ducey realized his funding formula would actually hurt charter
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schools, he then changed his focus to being able to use state backed loans which are really taxpayer-backed loans to support the construction of more charter schools. In essence, this means the risk of starting a charter school would be placed on the taxpayer, but the potential reward in the form of profits would be available only to the charter owner. This is in direct opposition to the spirit of the free market. Would it be acceptable for taxpayers’ money to be used to build and open up an ice cream shop and then let the owner receive all of the profits tax free, while the taxpayers would be liable if the ice cream shop failed?
Every Arizona citizen should be extremely worried about the funding cuts for higher education. A well-supported and respected state university system would provide an outstanding option for students wishing to stay in state and would attract talented students from around the country. We want our state schools to produce highly trained and educated graduates ready to face the future. This would, in turn, attract muchneeded business opportunities for highpaying and quality jobs. The entire state’s economy would grow. Slashing support to local community schools and our university system is just a further example of the “race to the bottom” mentality of our state leaders.
By investing in public education, both at the K-12 and higher level, we send a message to the rest of the country about our priorities, a message of believing in a bright future, a future as a bright and promising as a sunny spring Saturday spent watching my young daughters play soccer.
Elicia Bivins is a Chandler resident.
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Cadets edge closer to fire careers
BY RENÉ LOPEZ
Most children get excited when they come in close proximity to a fire truck, let alone when they are given the opportunity to ride alongside firefighters. Young adults between the ages of 15 and 21 can take this a step further by participating in the Chandler Fire Cadet Academy.
The Fire Cadet Academy is an eightweek training program that introduces young adults to the duties and expectations of the firefighting profession. The program is offered annually through the Chandler Fire, Health & Medical Department and will run this year from May 2 until June 27. The academy is taught by fulltime Chandler firefighters who have completed the same training. Candidates will learn physical fitness, teamwork, personal development, work ethic, perseverance and firefighting skills. It is a wonderful opportunity to find out what it takes to become a successful firefighter. The program also offers community service opportunities.
trust and team efforts, how they play a major role in the success of fighting fires and saving lives, and will likely develop long-lasting friendships. Lessons and experiences are key to becoming successful in any type of profession.
Fire cadets are required to attend the scheduled trainings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. There are also two mandatory meetings held monthly. Upon graduation, cadets who are at least 16 years old will become certified to ride with fire crews and operate with them.
This experience could well be the start of a career in firefighting or simply the fulfillment of a childhood dream. Either way, it is guaranteed to challenge the participants to become stronger mentally and physically and to empower them to be the best they can be.
For more information about the Fire Cadet Academy, please visit www. chandleraz.gov/fire or call Battalion Chief Norm Germaine at (480) 782-2120.
SRP decision comes down to money
The article “22 communities come together to fight SRP plan” (STSN, April 18, 2015) was certainly an eye opener. Last election, there were ads running in the Republican primary against Vernon Parker. I noticed this massive campaign because these ads didn’t support a candidate, they just said don’t vote for Mr. Parker.
Through the training, candidates will learn first-hand the importance of
René Lopez is a Chandler city councilman.
I wondered why so much money was being spent in the primary to influence the election for AZ Corporation Commission. When similar ads ran during the general election, again, they didn’t promote a candidate, they were against Sandra Kennedy. Who would spend this much money for this five-member board and why?
Now comes your article that the
AZ Corporation Commission will rule on the approval of power lines being built in South Chandler. I would encourage everyone to think about who received their votes for AZ Corporation Commission. Tom Forese and Doug Little were elected. Did you vote for them because they represent your interests or did you vote against Mr. Parker and Ms. Kennedy because you saw an ad? I wish the AZ Communities United luck with their attempt to fight these power lines but I have a feeling if you follow the money you already know how Mr. Forese and Mr. Little will be voting.
Christine Grayson Crosscreek
Rene Lopez. Submitted photo