Lawmakers at the State Capitol in Phoenix are working on a ballot initiative that would increase teacher pay while also constitutionally protecting the state’s school voucher program. The Superior Unified School District educates students in grades PreK-12. We do not receive funding for our preschool students, and we receive only ½ funding for our kindergarten students. The District also employs over 50 people. We are held accountable by the Department of Education, AZ Auditor General, and Federal Government for every dollar the district spends. Vouchers go to individual and private institutions that can discriminate in enrollment against students and their families. Vouchers largely benefit families living in the wealthiest zip codes in Maricopa County.
Superior’s Governing Board members are good stewards of taxpayer dollars, so much so that our community has trusted us enough to pass the last several override and bond elections.
Lawmakers consistently advocate for accountability for how public schools spend money, but don’t expect any accountability for how vouchers are spent.
What has always been great about Superior is the relationship between our schools and our community. They are connected by our families. They are “Superior!” Our schools are mandated to teach the Arizona State Standards, administer state assessments, and ensure that we maintain our national accreditation, so our students are prepared for their future. Private schools can teach whatever they want, aren’t required to test their students, and are not required to be nationally accredited.
In the last five years, SUSD has raised its teacher salary by over 20%. We also haven’t cut any programs due to declining enrollment and reduced funding.
Despite this, SUSD still has needs. It is crucial that the legislature continue to invest in public school districts so that we can continue to raise teacher pay every year, pay our bus drivers to provide transportation for our school programs, and provide high quality learning environments for every student.
The Superior Unified School District mission is to educate every single student in our community without regard to race, income, ability, religion, or gender. Many private schools that take voucher dollars cannot say the same. Superior families support Superior Schools and will see through this proposal. I urge you to reach out to our legislators in District 7 and vote against any voucher initiative that is placed on the ballot.
Sincerely,
/s/ Stephen Estatico
SUSD Superintendent