School funding a priority as kids head back to school in Arizona

PHOENIX — As Valley kids head back to school, an education group is keeping a close eye on their schools’ funding.

Pearl Chang Esau is the president and CEO of Expect More Arizona, and she said Proposition 123 is only the beginning. The group is watching for updates to the school-funding formula.

Esau said the group also supports renewing Proposition 301.

“It’s a 0.6 percent sales tax that provides about $650 million to schools every year,” she said. “It is set to expire in a few years.”

Proposition 301 was passed in 2000 and expires in 2020.

Esau said children deserve to have good schools, and Arizona must invest in their education.

“Almost half our students on the new AZMerit exam are not proficient at reading in the third grade,” she said. “That shows how absolutely critical that we do focus on strong, early-childhood education opportunities for all kids.”

Expect More Arizona supported Proposition 123 in the May 17th special election.

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