Welcome to a collaborative effort comprised of people who are truly concerned with efforts to combine 14 separate school districts into one mega-district. What you'll find here are some of our questions along with reasons we feel this effort should be opposed. Our goal is to ultimately defeat this poorly planned measure in the upcoming November general election. | Preserving Phoenix School Districts | Preserving Phoenix School Districts

Robert Robb article: Cancel school consolidation votes

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:05:22 -0700

Scan - What it might cost AG 2007 report

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:29:09 -0700

Scan of article - Teacher pay key to unification plan

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:28:25 -0700

Steve Gallardo PUHSD Governing Board Candidate At Large

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:23:36 -0700

No money to pay for merger, activist says

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:50:45 -0700

Projected tax impact

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:45:24 -0700

Unification could mean tax boost for 15 districts

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:40:53 -0700

We Counter Claims for School Employees Made by SDRC

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:47:38 -0700

The SDRC spokesperson has made numerous claims. The claims include "Saving money, raising salaries, reducing administrative costs", and more, all without foundation or substance. Here are some counters for school district employees to consider.

THIS PROPOSAL IS UNLIKELY TO REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE COST

Some Commission members claim that this proposal will reduce administrative waste. While there may be a small savings within a unified district, there is no guarantee that administrative costs will be reduced. Even if there is one superintendent for the new unified school district, one can be assured there will be a number of associate superintendents that will continue to fill administrative roles. In addition, if the school districts that are joined together due to the unification are forced to fire their current superintendent, there will be a large initial cost to buy-out the superintendent’s contract. This proposal will most likely increase administrative costs in the short-term in order to manage a number of transitional issues from the merging of a new IT system to managing personnel issues.

TEACHERS SALARIES ARE NOT PROTECTED BEYOND THE FIRST YEAR

The newly created school board of a unified district will set the salary schedule. The only protection for teacher’s salaries is that for the first year of operation of the new unified district, a teacher’s base compensation cannot be lower than that earned in the prior year in the previously existing school district. There is no protection that a teacher will receive this amount in year two, three, four, etc. In fact, state law permits the new school board “to implement a reduction in force (RIF) or to scale back salaries of certified teachers, administrators or noncertificated employees for reasons of economy or to improve the efficient conduct of schools within the district” (A.R.S. 15-458).

TEACHERS ARE UNLIKELY TO SEE A PAY INCREASE

The biggest rumor used to try and persuade teachers that this is a good move for education is the claim that elementary school teachers’ salaries will be increased to meet that of their high school counterparts. This is highly unlikely because the legislation that created this proposal contains no money for this purpose. In fact, the only funding available to a newly unified school district is for technical items such as changing a district’s signs and letterhead. The State Legislature appropriated no additional funds to address issues like equalizing the salary schedules within the newly unified district. This will create a bureaucratic nightmare for the new school board; having many different salary schedules and no additional funding to address the disparities between each. Do you really think that with our state and national economic woes there will be money appropriated to equalize salaries?

A POTENTIAL JOB LOSS FOR EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS

If administrative positions are not drastically reduced, and teachers salaries are required to remain the same in the first year, who will be the first to lose their job when budget cuts need to be made? It will be the hard working education support professionals. The first reduction in staff that the new school board will likely enact are the important roles of para-professionals / teacher aides, custodians, librarians, computer technicians, security guards, etc. We've seen this type of budgetary response before. We cannot see it again!

Osborn School District SOS website

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:17:11 -0700

Upcoming Events for PPSD Join us Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the state capitol

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:27:11 -0700

COME JOIN PPSD TO HELP PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PROGRAMS!

Our Biggest Rally Yet:

Come join PPSD and other ‘No on Unification’ Groups

at a Rally on the Capitol Lawn,

with special guests:

John Wright, President AEA

Andrew Morrill, Vice-President, AEA

What: A rally for our local public school districts

When: Tuesday, October 14, from 4-6 pm

Where: On the east side of the capitol building, parking available off Washington Street.

Who: All parents, school employees, and tax payers who share our concerns about creating enormous school districts across Arizona, to be done without a single cent of funding (but requiring large tax increases to implement), and all to be accomplished by Fall of 2010.

Why: Because we have to defeat this attempt to unify our schools on the cheap!

VOTE ‘NO’ ON UNIFICATION!

SPONSORED BY PRESERVING PHOENIX SCHOOL DISTRICTS

PRESERVINGPHOENIXSCHOOLDISTRICTS.ORG

Please make plans to attend, and help us send the message, loud and clear, that we won't stand by and let our schools be raided for corporate coffers. We are unanimous in our support for our students and our schools!

Lela Alston Flyer - PUHSD Governing Board - At Large Candidate

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:17:28 -0700

Download our flyer - give it away

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:14:52 -0700

AQUÍ TENEMOS 10 RAZONES En Espanol

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:33:19 -0700

AQUÍ TENEMOS 10 RAZONES PARA RECHAZAR EL REFERÉNDUM VENIDERO

Algunas de las razones que encontramos para RECHAZAR el referéndum venidero para consolidar el Distrito de Phoenix Union High School (PUHSD) y sus 13 distritos elementarios cuyos estudiantes pasan a nuestro distrito.

La Comisión de Re-designar los limites escolares (SDRC en ingles) fue últimamente creado al último momento. El propuesto original fue designado para disolver PUHSD al cincelarlo en 5 distritos más pequeños, colocando las escuelas de PUSHD en distritos nuevamente creados y combinados. Una carta fue escrita por la Mesa Directiva de Phoenix Union High School District preguntando si la Comisión había considerado jamás otras ideas. En torno, varias Mesas Directivas de los 13 distritos elementarios afectados indicaron sus inquietudes graves; ¡ la Comisión de Re-designar cambió sentido y creó un nuevo Mega Distrito!
Este propuesto NO asigna recursos financieros para apoyar la consolidación de lo que sería el distrito más grande del estado.

Entre nuestras preguntas:

¿Cuánto costara para alinear los cursos de estudio y comprar nuevos libros estudiantiles para un distrito tan grande?

¿Cómo van a compartirse equitativamente y económicamente las operaciones de transporte y mantenimiento de plantes? ¿ Dónde se ubicaría una super-facilidad o facilidades múltiples por estos servicios?

¿Dónde estarían los fondos para coordinar los sistemas de computadoras y qué plataforma se usaría?

Los estudiantes y los programas especiales podrían ser afectados negativamente. Los programas estudiantiles actuales tales como los que tienen lugar después de clases , los deportes, varios programas electivos (tales como los para los más dotados o la música), las escuelas imánes, y clases para necesidades especiales podrían ser dañados. Nadie ha podido responder a las preguntas sobre la viabilidad de estos programas bajo la unificación de los distritos.

Preguntas que hemos hecho:

¿Tendrán que salir de sus vecindarios por autobús los estudiantes para asistir a un programa especial que esté ubicado lejos a través del distrito nuevo?

¿Es ésta verdaderamente la mejor manera de mejorar la asistencia estudiantil, los datos sobre los estudiantes que salen de la escuela sin graduarse y el logro académico total?

¿Serán mal afectados programas, personal y estudiantes buenos?

La unificación propuesta seria llevada a cabo con demasiada prisa. Si los votantes aprueben este propuesto, el “Mega-Distrito” se precipitaría a existir por el año escolar 2010-2011. No hay horario razonable para coordinar el entrenamiento de maestros, las pólizas de los distritos, los procedimientos, y los acuerdos profesionales de los empleados. En lugar de coordinación, una burocracia grande y mal hecha se apresuraría a compensar.

Las leyes estatales y federales serán afectadas. Algunos distritos o/y escuelas pueden
“reprobarse” según los requisitos de AZLearns y No Child Left Behind.

Nos preguntamos:

Recibirá el rótulo de reprobado el “Mega-Distrito” entero al absorber las escuelas actualmente rotuladas así?

¿Cómo afectaría esto la inscripción estudiantil y el logro?

El personal, las estructuras gubernativas, y la entereza de animo serán desbaratados.

Preguntamos:

¿Cómo va a resolver el distrito asuntos tocantes a administración?

¿Habrá un “Super-Superintendente”?

¿Cómo va a reconciliar el distrito 14 muy distintos planes de sueldo?

¿De dónde vendrían fondos para esta empresa dadas condiciones monetarias actuales?

¿Se cerrarán escuelas?

Mesas directivas elegidas debidamente serán rechazadas. Por más de un siglo, Phoenix ha servido eficazmente sus constituyentes con más pequeños y responsivos distritos K-8 locales, y un distrito secundario aparte.

Nuestras inquietudes:

Comunidades enteras podrían perder sugerencias al caso tocantes a decisiones que afecten sus escuelas de vecindad.

¿Quiénes gobernaría este Mega-Distrito y cómo serían seleccionados?

Las escuelas serán negativamente afectadas por cambios en las pólizas de impuestos.

Los valores de propiedad varían mucho a través de los 14 distritos actuales. Elecciones de anular y emitir bonos existen con una multitud de horarios y recaudos. Algunos distritos han votado a imponerse más impuestos para proveerles más ventajas para sus estudiantes.

Algunas de nuestras preguntas financieras

¿Qué ocurre a los impuestos de propiedad si los 14 distritos todos se unan?

¿Hay una agenda escondida para reducir los impuestos de las corporaciones al coste de nuestras escuelas?

Cada votante del Condado de Maricopa pagará un precio de entrada para este referéndum, aun si no tenga niños en la escuela. ¿Están enterados los votantes que pagarán un precio adicional para poder votar sobre este asunto?

Los sindicatos de Maestros entre estos 14 distritos escolares se oponen a este referéndum sobre este Mega-Distrito, no obstante si el re-designar de los distritos resulte en un aumento a sus sueldos.

El Porque:

Los maestros se interesan por el control local, los programas estudiantiles y el logro estudiantil, no solamente sus sueldos, como algunos insistan.

Las investigaciones y mas investigaciones indican que los distritos escolares muy grandes NO necesariamente gozan economías de escala. Busque Ud. Mismo artículos.

Hemos proveído dos investigaciones recientes para usted que indican que puede ser que ésta no sea la mejor ruta para dirigirse a los problemas en la educación pública.

La Comisión de Re-designar lo sabe, y de todos modos aprobó el colocar este referéndum al voto. Se consideran GRANDOTES los distritos con más de 50,000 estudiantes. Los distritos GRANDOTES no son indicados por ninguna investigación ser aprovechados económicamente o mejor para los estudiantes. ¡¡Este Mega-distrito convertiría 14 distritos separados en un distrito de alrededor de 120,000 estudiantes!! Eso seria casi doble el tamaño del distrito actual más grande del estado. Hemos proveído respuestas de algunos distritos para iniciar su investigación propia.

Esta lista fue generada por socios de la Asociación de Maestros del Distrito de Phoenix Union High School (CTA es la sigla en inglés.)

Contribute to PPSD

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:07:57 -0700

Vote No on Redistricting

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:48:27 -0700

This "Redistricting Proposal" would consolidate fourteen local community school districts, including yours, replacing them with one gigantic 116,000 student district, requiring the 76 elected school board members to pare themselves down to a single, 5 member board, creating the irreversible elimination of your local community school districts.

It is shocking that a 13 member commission managed to get a referendum on the ballot with such reckless, vague, and unsupported speculation that it "might" eventually lower district spending. But, at the expense of student learning and community involvement? Vote NO!

With no substantial research to support these careless predictions, and an enormous number of indicators that this poorly researched, unplanned, haphazard, thrown together referendum will not serve the best interests of our students or improve student achievement, Vote NO!

This referendum requires that one five member school board serve ann enormous student population, while coordinating a wide variety of student programs, all for a misguided possibility of spending a bit less on school administration. Can reasonable, thinking citizens believe this is good for our kids?

Maintain your school district, defend your local control over education issues, and protect your ability to access your community's school board members. Vote NO!

Ed Bufford, President

Phoenix Union High School District

Classroom Teachers' Association

Contact Us

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:04:38 -0700

District unification opposition brewing

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:52:16 -0700

A Phoenix coalition is gathering forces to campaign against school district unification on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Preserving Phoenix School Districts filed its political action committee paperwork with the Maricopa County Elections Department.

It's the latest group that organized a campaign urging voters to turn down a proposal to unify 14 districtsinto a K-12 system that would serve more than 116,000 students in central Phoenix, including the Phoenix Union High School District.

Members of the coalition say redistricting caused them to mobilize but its long-term mission is to advocate for central Phoenix school districts.

The group's mission, to advocate for stellar education for urban students, criticized the unification measure as a "poorly written law" pieced together in a hurry that will harm existing districts, that include finances and education programs for students.

Paul Lowes, Preserving Phoenix School Districts chairman, also noted most members of the School District Redistricting Commission, created by Arizona lawmakers, are lobbyists.

"It's easy to see that the voices that dominate the . . . commission are those of corporate lobbyists, and not educators, parents of public school-age children, or neighborhood leaders," Lowes said. "This isn't being done for educational success. I think that's a smoke screen. It's being proposed for the good of corporate coffers."

About 50 people have joined Preserving School Districts, Lowes said. They include educators, parents, governing board members and neighborhood associations, he said.

Marty Shultz, chairman of the redistricting commission, welcomes the group because he sees it creating a healthy debate about how to improve education in non-unified districts.

However, Shultz took issue with the new group's criticism of the commission. They are not all lobbyists, he said, and pointed out the commission has executives, a mayor, a teacher, a professor and a superintendent.

"I'm going to challenge them. . . . There is non-sense in this debate," Shultz said. "What do they mean by corporate coffers? I'd like to know the facts. Which corporations are benefiting? I think it's irresponsible to throw these cheap shots out there without facts."

If voters pass the unification measure, the law allows a new governing board in new unified district to figure out how to finance transition cost, align teacher salaries and create a seamless K-12 curriculum.

Some governing board members criticize this part of the law saying the mandate is unfunded and it would force districts to dig deeper into its pockets especially in a sluggish economy.

Other groups also filed their PAC paperwork tied to redistricting. They are Preserve Madison and a pro-unification Maricopa County Unified for Student Success.

Article by Betty Reid taken from the Arizona Republic, July 21.

SOS - Support Our Schools AZ

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:44:05 -0700

Voters to decide next November on mergers of districts - Sunday, December 23, 2007 - The Goldwater Institute

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:01:10 -0700

Madison 2007 letter to SDRC

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:52:58 -0700

2004 Goldwater Policy Report

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:50:58 -0700

Creighton Board Resolution in opposition

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:48:47 -0700

Creighton Governing Board letter to SDRC

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:47:44 -0700

Alhambra Elementary School District response

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:45:02 -0700

2006 Arizona School Redistricting report

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:41:24 -0700

Osborn District response

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:31:59 -0700

Home | Preserve Madison

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:24:56 -0700

Osborn District initial response to redistricting

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:08:52 -0700

Here are 10 reasons for REJECTING the upcoming referendum

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:53:18 -0700

Some of the reasons we find for REJECTING the upcoming referendum to consolidate the Phoenix Union High School District (PUHSD) and its 13 feeder elementary school districts.

1. The final School District Redistricting Commission (SDRC) proposal was hastily pieced together. The original proposal was designed to dissolve PUHSD by carving it into 5 smaller districts, placing PUHSD schools within newly created and combined districts. A letter was written by the PUHSD Governing Board questioning if the Commission ever considered other ideas. In turn, various Governing Boards of the 13 affected elementary districts voiced their serious concerns; the Redistricting Commission changed directions and created a new "Mega-District" instead!

2. This proposal does NOT appropriate financial resources to support the consolidation of what would be the state's largest district.

Among our questions:

How much will it cost to align curricula and buy new student textbooks for such a large district?

How will transportation and maintenance operations be economically and equitably shared? Where would a super facility or multiple facilities for these services be located?

Where's the money to coordinate computer systems and which platfom would be used?

3. Students and special programs could be negatively impacted. Current student programs like those held after-school, extra-curricular sports, various elective offerings (such as gifted programs or music), magnet schools, and special needs classes could be harmed. No one has been able to answer questions about the viability of these programs under unification.

Questions we've asked:

Will students be bused out of their neighborhoods to attend a special program far across the new district?

Is this really the best way to improve student attendance, drop out rates, and overall academic achievement?

Will good programs, staff, and students be wrongfully impacted?

4. The proposed unification would all be done too quickly. If voters approve this proposal, the "Mega-District" would be rushed into existence by the 2010-11 school year. There is no reasonable timetable for coordinating teacher training, district policies, procedures, and employee professional agreements. Instead, a huge and clumsy bureaucracy would scramble to compensate.

5. State and federal laws will be impacted. Some districts and/or schools may be "failing" according to requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act or AzLearns.

We wonder:

Will the whole "Mega-District" be labeled failing upon absorption of schools currently labeled as such?

How would this impact student enrollment and achievement?

6. Staff, governance structures, and morale will be disrupted.

We ask:

How will the district resolve issues related to administration?

Will there be one "Super-Superintendent?"

How will the district reconcile 14 very dissimilar employee salary schedules?

Where would monies for this undertaking come from in view of current fiscal situations?

Will there be school closures?

7. Duly elected governing boards will be ousted. For over a century, Phoenix has effectively served its constituents with responsive and smaller local K-8 districts, and a separate high school district.

Our concerns:

Whole communities could lose local input into decisions that affect their neighborhood schools.

Who would govern this mega district and how will they be selected?

8. Schools will be negatively impacted by changes in tax policy. Property values vary widely across the current 14 districts. Override and bond elections exist with a multitude of timelines and levee’s. Some districts have voted to tax themselves more to provide advantages for their students.

Some of our financial questions:

What happens to property taxes if all 14 merge?

Is there a hidden agenda to reduce taxes for corporations at the expense of our schools?

Each Maricopa County voter will pay a fee for this referendum, even if they do not have children in school. Are voters aware that they will be paying an additional fee to vote on this issue?

9. Teacher Associations within these 14 school districts oppose this mega-district referendum, regardless of whether redistricting would result in an increase in their salaries.

Why:

Teachers are concerned about local control, students programs, and student achievement, not just salaries as some might insist.

10. Research upon research indicates that very large school district DO NOT necessarily enjoy economies of scale. Search for articles yourself. We have provided 2 recent reports for you that indicate this may not be the best route to address problems in public education. The redistricting commission knows this, and yet approved putting this referendum on the ballot. Districts are considered HUGE with over 50,000 students. HUGE districts are not supported by virtually any studies as being economically advantaged or best for students. This mega district would turn all 14 separate districts into a district of approximately 120,000 students!!! This would be almost double the size of the largest district in the state. We have provided some districts responses as a start.

This list was generated by members of the Phoenix Union High School District Classroom Teachers Association (CTA)