General Election Update and Issues Facing Public Education in 2015

Janice Palmer

Janice Palmer, director of Governmental Relations and Public Affairs for the Arizona School Boards Association, provided a general election update and discussed issues facing public education.  The 2014 General Election proved to be an election where the voice of a few determined the state’s direction and may have huge ramifications for education.  Needless to say, the 2015 Arizona Legislative Session will be a busy and important session. 

Arizona’s voter turnout was the worst turnout since 1946, with only 47.52 percent of registered voters casting their ballots.  But Arizona was not alone.  The federal election also made headlines for having the worst voter turnout since World War II, with a turnout rate of 36 percent.

All five state-wide office holders, including the Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer and Superintendent of Public Instruction, are new to their positions, but all remain Republican.  Republican legislators elected Representative David Gowan of Sierra Vista as the new House speaker; and in the Senate, Senator Andy Biggs of Gilbert will remain as Senate president.  On the Congressional side, the Senate turned Republican with 54 Republicans, 44 Democrats, and 2 Independents elected to the U.S. Congress; and the new Republican leader is U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell.

Analysts predict that $3.7 billion was spent on mid-term election advertising, and what we saw were some of the most negative ad campaigns ever.  Some question if this negativity hindered the election turnout.  Only time will tell.

What is in store for K-12 education from the federal level?  A short-term funding bill funded Arizona through today, December 11, 2014.  A new resolution was passed that will provide funding through September. Arizona will see less competitive grants funded through the federal government, and more money put into the formulaic funding.  The debt ceiling also allows the state to spend money through March 2015.  There is still much to be worked out.

New Senate leadership outlined plans for ESEA reauthorization; and the U.S. Department of Education expressed the desire to approve longer-term waivers.  Arizona’s waiver was approved, but the federal government had two issues with Arizona:  the graduation rate at 15 percent, and to demonstrate Arizona has the authority to require LEA’s to implement teacher and principal evaluations.

Arizona’s legislative session begins January 12, 2015.  ASBA reminded members to drop a note of congratulations to newly-elected legislators and offer to be educational resources.

ASBA and other educational organizations were successful at the Arizona Supreme Court in regards to the inflation lawsuit. The state is required to provide an immediate $336 million reset back to schools.  This is the biggest issue everyone in the state is facing.  ASBA said we will accept the reset and will drop the back-pay issue.  An initial ruling is expected sometime in January, and Governor-elect Ducey shows an interest in resolving this issue.

There is always discussion about a formula revamp; however, there is not a lot of detail for a 2016 package.  Prop 301 expires in 2021, which is only six years away and we need to start planning ahead.  In regards to school construction, it has been 14 years since Roosevelt vs. Bishop.  All of the items that helped create the lawsuit in 1998 are the same issues we are once again facing.  In essence, we are right back where we started.

All in all, 2015 will be an important year for the Arizona Legislature with many decisions to be made regarding funding issues, the new state assessment, and the A-F Accountability System.  Remember, keep in contact with your legislators, and encourage them to make decisions in the best interest of students.

Linda Jeffries
Alhambra Elementary School District