Coalition kicks off campaign for passage of Proposition 123

PHOENIX — The push is on for the passage of Proposition 123.

A coalition of educators and parents announced a campaign this morning in front of the state Capitol to drum up votes for a proposal that would fund Arizona schools. Organizers are calling it “Prop 123 Go.”

“Proposition 123 is the right vote to take now to get money in our schools, to help our teachers stay, to show them that we are as committed to them as professionals as they are to our children that they teach every day,” said Joe Thomas, vice president of the Arizona Education Association. “We need to pass Proposition 123 so we get more funding in the schools to keep the great teachers we have and encourage more people to become teachers.”

Advocates of Proposition 123 said there is an overwhelming need for the voters to say “yes.”  Ylenia Agularia has two children in schools in the Osborne School District.

“Prop 123 will increase classroom spending, keep quality teachers in the state and reduce classroom sizes,” she said.

But many involved in the effort say they know that any funding that comes through Proposition 123 is only a short-term fix.

President-elect of the Arizona Parent Teacher Association Beth Simek said she knows this is just the first step and that there is plenty of work ahead.

“We demand, demand…long-term funding for public education here in Arizona. Our teachers deserve a salary that’s better than the bottom of the barrel Our students deserve to learn in classrooms that are not bursting at the seams,” Simek said

Simek said parents have to continue to work together to get commitments from legislators and then hold them accountable.

Opponents of Prop 123 have said it will severely cut into the state’s land trust and stifle future funding.

But advocates have said after first plugging this current financial hole they will work hard to secure more money for education.

“It’s up to all of us to come to the table, roll up our sleeves, and say…here’s what we want for a long-term plan…and to not let the politicians get away without adopting a long-term plan,” said Dana Wolfe Naimark, president of Children’s Action Alliance.

Joe Thomas of the Arizona Education Association said mechanisms are in place to make sure the money is spent appropriately, starting with salary increases to keep and attract teachers.

The special election for Proposition 123 is less than one month away on May 17.

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