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October 5, 2022
The Voice of the West Valley for 37 years
WV schools face budget cuts if override elections fail BY ALICIA RODRIGUEZ
West Valley View Contributing Writer
K
eith Armstrong used to teach music full time at Liberty Elementary School. Now, students receive 20 minutes of music instruction per week from their art teacher. The school’s Parent-Teacher Organization donated instruments to the art teacher because music funding was cut. In 2021, the Liberty Elementary School District lost its override election by 343 votes. It was one of many school districts to lose critical funding. It was forced to reduce its budget by $850,000, according to Superintendent Lori Shough. Now, district officials are trying again. “If the override doesn’t pass, the kids might not have specials next year. Their class sizes will increase, and teachers will not be compensated for it,” said Jessica Rittenhouse, a parent of four students at
Liberty Elementary School. If the budget override passes, the average community member will pay approximately $147 per year in additional taxes, according to the Maricopa County school superintendent. The monthly price is equivalent to roughly four loaves of bread per month. For some community members, this potential tax increase is concerning. Paul Bentz of Arizona Highground, a public affairs firm, was hired to campaign for Yes for Liberty, a parent-led committee. “People are beginning to understand that someone paid for them to go to school. It’s part of our American values and tradition to pay for the next generation to go to school,” Bentz said. In response to community concerns over tax increases, Bentz said that voters should consider the numbers. The Arizona Auditor General Report for 2021 found that over 60% of Liberty’s
funding went directly to instruction — higher than neighboring districts, including the Littleton, Avondale, Buckeye, Tolleson and Union elementary school districts. In addition, about 11% of its funding went to administration, almost 2% less than the average of its peers. For example, the Riverside Elementary School District used over 20% of its funding to pay administration. “Voters need to get their facts straight. Attend some meetings, and then vote based on your findings. The public schools are a part of the community,” said Tamara Greabell, a former governing board member at Liberty. “We have very successful students coming out of Liberty schools; they’re joining the workforce, enlisting in the military and going to college,” Greabell said. Another failed override will result in
Override...continued on page 3
Abrazo releases rendering of Buckeye medical building BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF
A
brazo Health continues development planning for its new Buckeye campus, releasing a conceptual rendering of a 65,000-square-foot medical office building. Construction on the site is expected to begin in the coming months. Abrazo Health acquired 27 acres for its Buckeye medical campus near the southwest corner of I-10 and Verrado Way ear-
lier this year. Plans for the campus include a medical office building, ambulatory services and an acute care hospital. The Buckeye campus will be Abrazo’s sixth major medical campus in the Valley. “We are excited to see the strong interest in our new Abrazo medical campus in Buckeye. The array of medical specialties and services that are committed to a presence on the Buckeye campus will have a
substantial impact on the community,” said Hans Driessnack, CEO of Abrazo West Campus. Ongoing growth and development in the area provide the opportunity to complement existing Abrazo services with the new Buckeye medical campus. Abrazo currently serves the West Valley through a
Abrazo...continued on page 4
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