[link removed] [[link removed]]
Horne Creates Voucher
Free-For-All
No questions asked: Arizona Superintendent Tom Horne announced this week that the ADE will fast-track the repayment of 85,000 purchases up to $2000 [[link removed]] in the off-the-rails ESA voucher program — without any prior review to ensure they’re allowable expenses. According to Horne, “We’ll simply go ahead and pay them, and audit later.” bit.ly/December9EdReport [bit.ly/December9EdReport]
When asked by Brahm Resnik on 12 News’ Sunday SquareOff [[link removed]] whether he knew how much total funding was being reimbursed overnight under this change, Horne said, “I don’t have a dollar figure… we have two years to audit… if anybody commits fraud, we’ll catch it sooner or later.” Forgive us if we don’t take him at his word 🙄
Fraud, abuse, misuse – oh my! This is a complete reversal [[link removed]] from October when the ADE had to stop automatically approving purchases [[link removed]] less than $85 because families were attempting to use ESA voucher funds to buy Amazon gift cards. According to the ADE, 7 ESA voucher account holders purchased $13,000 in gift cards.
Horne’s short-sighted and irresponsible policy change raises major concerns about the ADE’s utter lack of oversight of taxpayer funds and props the door wide open for fraud and abuse. Horne has provided no clear plan for audits and no clear way for the state to claw back misused funds. All of this is happening despite a slew of indictments for fraud and abuse plaguing Arizona’s universal ESA voucher program.
As SOSAZ Director Beth Lewis stated [[link removed]] , “There are families legitimately using the program, but the universal expansion has created the worst grifting opportunity we've ever seen in this state. I think we're just seeing the tip of the iceberg."
Pay now, ask questions later: ESA voucher parent Dr. Kathy Boltz, who uses the voucher program for her child with special needs, opposes Horne’s new pay-now, ask-questions-later policy: [[link removed]] “It’s a terrible idea. I don’t think they’re going to get around to auditing them. As a taxpayer, I’m outraged… If they can’t even get around to reviewing [ESA voucher reimbursements] now, putting it off until later is not going to get it done.” [link removed] [[link removed]]
Hobbs enters the chat: Gov. Hobbs weighed in, saying [[link removed]] , “ESA [voucher]s are rife with waste, fraud and abuse, and this will only make it worse. This empowers bad actors who are spending taxpayer dollars on ski passes, luxury car driving lessons, and grand pianos. We need accountability and transparency for this almost billion-dollar program.” Indeed.
Full Weekly Education Report HERE [[link removed]] .
AZ SCHOOL CLOSURES
[[link removed]] Over the past year, Arizona has seen mounting school closures due to ballooning ESA voucher costs (which are projected to hit $1 BILLION this school year, a whopping 12% of the entire state budget), chronic underfunding from the state, loss of federal ESSER [[link removed]] dollars which expire this year, and fluctuating enrollment created by “school choice” (or lack thereof) and lack of affordable housing. [link removed] [[link removed]]
From Glendale Elementary [[link removed].] to Roosevelt [[link removed]] , Paradise Valley, [[link removed]] and now Cave Creek [[link removed]] , the trend to shut down local community schools is clear — and unfortunately, we predict more and more communities will have to contend with similar difficult decisions.
The Cave Creek Unified School District is considering closing 2 of its 5 elementary schools [[link removed]] this year. "The possibility of closing schools is one of the most difficult decisions a school district can face," Superintendent Bill Dolezal said during a Governing Board meeting on Dec. 3. But the district is grappling with "financial constraints, changing enrollment patterns, increased attacks on public education" and the impact of ESA vouchers [[link removed]] .
Supt. Horne was glib about these heartbreaking decisions, saying: “This is nothing new. We’ve always had school closures.” SOSAZ Director Lewis pushed back: “I have been following schools very, very closely for over a decade in Arizona, and I certainly haven’t seen anything like this… We’re not seeing a mass exodus from public schools, we’re seeing quite an exodus of dollars going to private schools via vouchers… This year we’re set to spend over $830 million on the voucher program. That’s about $300,000 per school across the entire state.”
These closures are devastating for communities, but they can be avoided if our state legislature finds the political will to lift Arizona schools out of 49th in the nation and rein in the out-of-control voucher program siphoning desperately needed dollars from our schools.
JOIN US!
We’re launching a book club! Join Save Our Schools Arizona Network's new Book Club! We’ll be reading and discussing books on issues critically important to our public schools and democracy. Our first book is Mothers of Massive Resistance: White Women & the Politics of White Supremacy [[link removed]] (order yours from Changing Hands Books or a local bookstore near you today!). [link removed] [[link removed]]
Our virtual discussions will be led by experts, and there will be plenty of ways to have fun, meet new people, and engage. You’ll benefit from the discussions even if you haven’t been able to read the whole book!
Our first meetings are Sunday Dec. 15th and Jan. 5th at 2pm. Join us! Sign up today and we will send instructions! Register here: [link removed] [[link removed]]
Volunteer Celebration Picnic! Join #TeamSOSAZ for a Volunteer Celebration Picnic on Sunday, January 26th in Phoenix! Be in community with other public education supporters for food and fun together. Please feel free to bring friends, family, and kids — all are welcome! [link removed] [[link removed]]
Register HERE [[link removed]] to get the latest updates on details and help us get a headcount for food! We will announce the picnic location soon, but mark your calendars!
It’s happening!! 🎉 Join us for our 2nd annual Celebration of Arizona’s Public Schools on March 29, 2025 at the Madison Performing Arts Center! Our special guest will be Jess Piper [[link removed]] , an incredible public education advocate from Missouri and TikTok superstar. We will have delicious food and drinks, student performances, awards for incredible educators, and so much more! Tickets are on sale now for $120. Get yours before they sell out [[link removed]] — and if you’re an educator or student, we welcome you to use the code EDUC8 to receive 50% off. See you there!!! [link removed] [[link removed]]
SUPPORT OUR WORK [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
Contact Us
[email protected]
Save Our Schools Arizona
PO Box 28370
Tempe, AZ 85285
United States
Paid for by Save Our Schools Arizona. Not authorized by any candidate.
unsubscribe: [link removed]