Prop 320 receives no support during KTAR News town hall, compared to ‘punishment referral’

KTAR News 92.3 FM hosted a town hall on Tuesday night called “The Issues That Matter” that had experts and community leaders break down some of the propositions that will be on the ballot this November and welcomed attendees to ask questions about them.

One of the measures that was discussed was Prop 320. It would require school districts with more than 7,500 students or that are in counties with a population greater than 500,000 to spend at least 60% of their budget on direct instructional expenses. However, it does not define what those expenses are and leaves that task to the auditor general.

School districts that spend less than 60% of their budget on direct instructional expenses would be required to in fiscal year 2027-2028 begin increasing their spending on those expenses by at least 0.5% per year until it meets that requirement. Districts found by the auditor general not to be in compliance with the requirement would have their state’s classroom site fund reduced that year.

Former Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda compared the measure to a “punishment referral.”

“You’re punishing the growing counties with this mandate that’s not defined,” Swoboda said. “Stop sending referrals to the people to just make a political point. If there’s a problem that needs a solution, address it. That’s why we elected the legislature.”

Former independent gubernatorial candidate Hugh Lytle felt the prop made no sense as it is “a moving definition” with a “defined target.” He added that the state has a revenue structure problem, but is attacking it like a spending discipline problem.

“We’ve got [Empowerment Scholarship Account] moving kids into other schools. These other school are left with declining enrollments. These declining enrollments mean less revenue, but yet my physical infrastructure costs are exactly the same,” Lytle said. “All of sudden, now I’m supposed to what? Turn off the air conditioning to be able to support the kids?”

Former state Rep. Isela Blanc stated that the measure would have a “devastating impact” on public schools and emphasized anyone who wants students to be safe and secure should vote no to Prop 320.

“To Mr. Lytle’s point, you have to pay for air conditioning. I don’t know if you guys have noticed, there’s been an increase, and APS is contemplating a 14% increase, on our rates,” Blanc said. “There’s going to be a water cost situation. That’s going to be a cost to schools. If we want to make sure that our kids are doing well inside and outside the classroom, we need to make sure that we can afford [it].”

Blanc highlighted that more than 80% of Arizona students are in public schools.

The town hall was presented by Empower and in partnership with Arizona Talks.

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