Sunnyside Unified Stands to Lose $16.3 Million if the State Expenditure Cap is NOT Lifted

Consuelo Hernandez is the President of the Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board and a Candidate for a Legislative District 21 Arizona State House seat.

It never ceases to amaze me that in times of greatest need – this Governor and the Trump Republicans in the legislature fail to do their basic job.

Whether its trying to undermine our elections, take away the reproductive freedom of women or simply wreck our environment, the Arizona GOP and its Trump Cult leadership seems intent on destroying everything that makes our democracy truly exceptional. Now, they are committed to destroy our public education system that is a cornerstone of America’s success.

Why?

Because  the Trump-led Arizona GOP and their ultra-conservative donors are afraid of an education system that can and will level the playing field in our economy. These donors don’t want voters – even “their voters” – being able to think for themselves.

That’s why they fear a strong public school system where both teachers and programs are well-funded. They don’t want our classrooms to be places where they learn the truth of their role in events like January 6^th. They don’t want our teachers being paid a proper wage with benefits because those are the educators that want to stay in profession they love.

Make no mistake Republicans ultra-wealthy donors don’t want a public education system that teaches America’s real history – the good, the bad and the ugly – because it makes them “uncomfortable.”

Let me be clear: as the President of the Sunnyside Unified School District and as the next LD-21 State Representative, I will focus much of my energy on improving school funding, increasing teacher pay and creating safe spaces for learning and growth for our kids. I want an Arizona that is not only putting our kids first in the classroom but creating the next generation of leaders that believe people are the primary drivers of our future in every corner of our society.

Arizonans need an education system that prepares to compete at every level – for today and tomorrow. They want our public school that are free of violence in all its forms. Most importantly, Arizonans want our schools to be places where our kids can learn, grow and become the best version of who they were meant to be.

Because when we invest critical dollars in our public education system, we give our kids opportunities to success, it’s a “win-win” for every single Arizonan.

At the end of the day, isn’t that the whole point of having for and funding our schools? If the state expenditure cap is not lifted my district faces $16.3 million cut by June 30th with money that has already been approved and, allocated to expenditures. In addition, forcing school districts to make cuts also impacts federal funding. We have too much lose if the made up cap put in 1980 is not lifted. We need action now.