Parents push vouchers / p. 11
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
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This Week
COMMUNITY .......... 17 QC’s top cop says his parents were big influences.
SPORTS ................. 23 Casteel girls fall in state soccer championship.
Sunday, March 5, 2023
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QC school classroom spending dipped, report says BY MARK MORAN Tribune Staff Writer and HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
O
ver half of Arizona’s school districts spent a smaller percentage of money on classroom instruction in the 202122 school year and Queen Creek Unified was among them, according to a report released last week by the state Auditor General.
QCUSD spent 57% of its funding on instructional spending, which the AG defines as “teachers, teachers’ aides, substitute teachers, graders, guest lecturers, general instructional supplies, instructional aids, field trips, athletics, co-curricular activities, and tuition.” That percentage was slightly lower than the 57.4% spent in the previous school year, when schools still reeled from pandemic disruptions.
No escaping tradition
But the percentage that QCUSD spent last school year on those expenses was higher than the statewide average of 54% as well as the average 53.8% for all districts of comparable size to Queen Creek. In dollars, that represented $5,073 that Queen Creek spent per student on instruction last school year – $10 less than in 2020-21. Instructional spending does not include all
see SCHOOLS page 6
Town hopes to calm motorists’ road projects frustration BY MARK MORAN Tribune Staff Writer
T
GET OUT ................. 24 Renaissance Fest offers dazzling array of attractions.
COMMUNITY ............ 17 BUSINESS ................. 19 OPINION ................... 21 SPORTS .................... 23 GET OUT .................... 24 CLASSIFIEDS .............26
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Try as he might, Queen Creek native Joey Palomarez just couldn’t stay out of the restaurant business that he grew up in. Now he’s brought a new concept to the town, bolstering another local restaurant and employing a staff that includes some old classmates from Queen Creek High. For the story, see page 18. (Courtesy of Joey Palomarez)
he Town of Queen Creek is trying to improve the experience of being here. But that job also involves helping residents better understand what it will take to get there. Capital Improvement Projects Department Director Dave Lipinski told Town Council last week his team is working to better manage the public’s expectations as his team continues implementing the 10year infrastructure improvement plan for roads, bridges, parks, and other projects.
see CAPITAL page 4