The EVP Board of Directors voted unanimously to support Prop. 123, the May 17 ballot referendum that will provide an extra $3.5 billion in funding to Arizona public schools over the next decade without raising taxes.
“Prop 123 speaks to one of the Partnerships most important priorities — to advocate for strategic investments in K-12 education,” said EVP Interim President and CEO Mike Hutchinson.
EVP Senior Business Advisor, John Lewis who also serves as the mayor of Gilbert, said “Prop 123 is an investment in the schools that help both create our future leaders and attract growth from new businesses that value education.”
Money provided to schools by Prop 123 would come from the state land trust, an underused $5 billion asset that exists to support public education. Prop 123 would begin helping schools almost immediately. Increasing teacher pay is among the top priorities of school district officials.
A recent teacher recruitment and retention report by the Arizona Department of Education found that more than half of surveyed Arizona districts and charters reported losing between 1 and 5 educators who either broke employment contracts or resigned during the 2013-2014 school year.
“Governor Doug Ducey and the Legislature have provided the opportunity to take the first step towards improving public education,” said EVP Board Chairman Brian Campbell. “The state land trust is already there to help public education. Prop 123 allows Arizona to meet its current educational needs while protecting the trust’s ability to provide for future generations.”
East Valley Partnership originated in 1982 as a 501(c)(6) nonpartisan coalition of civic, business, educational and political leaders dedicated to the economic development and promotion of the East Valley of Greater Phoenix. The partnership advocates areas such as economic development, education, transportation and infrastructure, healthcare, and other important areas. For more information, visit www.evp-az.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
East Valley Partnership
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Mike Hutchinson x202
mhutchinson@evp-az.org