1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I urge you to oppose SCR 1051 when it comes before the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. This resolution, along with its companion measure SCR 1041, represents a fundamentally flawed approach to renewing Proposition 123 that will harm Arizona's public schools rather than help them. The original Proposition 123, which expired, directed increased distributions from the permanent land trust fund to address the many and varied needs of public schools. It barely passed in 2016 despite heavy support from the governor, education groups, and the business community. That version succeeded because it gave schools the flexibility to address their unique challenges, whether that meant hiring support staff, updating curriculum, improving facilities, or yes, increasing teacher pay. SCR 1051 takes a drastically different approach by restricting increased expendable earnings exclusively to a statewide classroom teacher compensation program with rigid eligibility requirements. Only full-time teachers who spend the majority of their time on non-administrative classroom instruction would qualify. This excludes part-time teachers, specialists, and others who contribute to student success. The requirement that schools distinguish between performing and underperforming teachers adds an unfunded administrative burden and invites disputes over subjective performance metrics. Individual schools understand their own needs better than the state legislature does. One district may desperately need special education staff. Another may need to address crumbling infrastructure. A third may need technology upgrades or counselors to address student mental health. SCR 1051 eliminates this local decision-making authority and imposes a one-size-fits-all mandate. Most critically, this version lacks the broad coalition support that the original Proposition 123 required to pass. Without backing from education groups and the business community, this measure is unlikely to succeed with voters. Meanwhile, our public schools and the general fund desperately need the increased distributions that a viable Proposition 123 renewal could provide. Arizona's students deserve a thoughtful renewal of Proposition 123 that mirrors the original's flexibility and builds the coalition necessary for passage. SCR 1051 is not that measure. Please vote no.