AZ Vouchers Hit $1 BILLION |
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And it means the legislature has a massive shortfall to fill once again this coming legislative session — with no dollars to settle a 25-year, $7 billion debt owed to public schools.
In 2022, SOSAZ projected this $1 billion cost based on the number of students already in private school and homeschool — and Republican lawmakers laughed in our faces and told us we were “crazy.” Their analysts projected the program would cost $222 million total over the first 3 years; of course, the total was ten times that, at $2.2 BILLION. Now, Arizona taxpayers will be footing the bill for over $1 billion each year.
To put this number in context, Arizona’s K-12 budget is only $8.3 billion, which, per capita, is nearly the lowest in the US. Vouchers are now siphoning a full 12% of state K-12 dollars away from local public schools, forcing them to make significant budget cuts with disastrous consequences for students, families, and educators. The Kyrene school district is shutting down one-third of their elementary campuses, Amphi schools are considering shutting down 5 schools, and Scottsdale is contemplating shutting down 2 more schools. In total, an unprecedented 34 Arizona public schools have announced they’ll close their doors over the course of 2 school years, with more closures on the way. These closures will be exacerbated in districts where voters failed to pass their local bond or override measures this November.
Arizona’s voucher program has utterly failed to fulfill its promise to increase “school choice,” instead funding a discriminatory scam that predominantly benefits wealthier families who were already choosing private school options, and are now using the voucher to subsidize tuition they were already paying for. |
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As SOSAZ Director Beth Lewis said in a press release this week, "Arizona’s voucher program remains the least accountable and least transparent private school voucher program in the nation, with zero safety oversight, zero financial transparency, and zero academic accountability. The ADE has instituted a new policy auto approving any purchases under $2,000, with investigative reports showing ESA vouchers are being used to purchase diamonds, lingerie, Apple iPhones appliances, and big screen TVs. Arizona’s vouchers are funding sub-par strip mall schools, unsafe and uncredentialed microschools, and fraudulent purchases — while public school students go without basic classroom supplies and teachers self-fund their classrooms.”
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We desperately need funding to ensure our work is going strong heading into 2026! Year-round organizing is our goal, and it takes everyone who believes in our work to help us sustain it. Please consider a donation to fuel our grassroots work! |
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The federal government shutdown has ended after 43 days, the longest in US history. What does this mean for K-12 public schools, educators, and students?
Temporary K-12 Funding: Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) that fully funds the US Dept. of Education (USED), meaning critical funds like IDEA, Title I, and other federal K-12 grants will flow to the states uninterrupted — however, the CR is temporary and lasts only about 11 weeks, expiring on 1/30/26. If Congress doesn’t come to an agreement by then, there could be a partial shutdown and these funds will once again be at risk.
Dept. of Ed Staff Cuts: The agreement passed by Congress reversed the USED staff cuts that came in the wake of the shutdown – BUT, USED may be able to keep these staff on administrative leave, preventing them from doing critical work in the Office of Civil Rights and other areas of work. The agreement also protects federal employees from further layoffs, but only until 1/30/26. It’s unclear what impact this will have on USED employees who were cut in March.
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Voter Registration Squad!
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We are ready to WIN BIG IN ARIZONA IN 2026. But — and it’s a big “but” — our voter registration numbers are not where they should be in order to effect the wins we need to achieve to ensure adequately funded community schools, well-paid educators, and robust resources for classrooms. Turning Point USA is spending millions to register MAGA voters across Arizona, and we need to step up and compete. We don’t have millions — but we do have people. Earnest people who yearn for change and want to make their communities better. YOU!
The ask: Join our Voter Registration Volunteer Squad today! We have 4 upcoming trainings to ensure you have what you need to partner with other volunteers in your community to register voters wherever you’re comfortable — at libraries, music festivals, food fairs, and so much more. Person-to-person contact is the most effective way to register voters, and that human connection helps people understand the critical importance of casting their vote. You can be a connector and a force for good – click here and join us! (find out more below)
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💥📋Register Voters in Your Community! Join us for a virtual training to learn the ins and outs of registering voters in your community! No experience necessary to get started in making a difference and helping neighbors use their vote and their voice! |
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Running as a Young Candidate training! Did you know you can run for school board or city council as soon as you can vote, at 18? 👀 In the last few years, we’ve seen more Gen-Z and Millennials step up to lead their communities. Young leaders across the country are rising up to ensure that we have access to public education, affordable housing, jobs, school safety, and for immigrant families to stay together.
In partnership with Instituto Power, please join us on Zoom for the Running As a Young Candidate training this Wednesday, Nov 19th, from 5:30 - 7:30pm! |
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Protect Trans Students at the Amphi Board Meeting on Tuesday. Turning Point USA is expected to attend the meeting to challenge Amphi’s support for transgender students and spread misinformation about inclusion and school safety. There is no transgender policy item on the agenda, but TPUSA plans to use public comment to attack the district’s commitment to equal rights for all students. Let’s fill the room early with love, clarity, and truth.
The Amphitheater School District board meets Tuesday, November 18 at 6 PM at 701 W Wetmore Rd., Tucson. Show up and back the district’s commitment to safe, welcoming schools for every student! |
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Connect with Voters through Canvassing! Learn all about deep canvassing and how to have meaningful conversations with swing voters. Deep canvassing focuses on listening and connecting with voters to understand their concerns, questions, and perspectives on public education. Sign up for one of our interactive virtual trainings so you can be part of this incredible team of changemakers! |
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💥🎉Find even more SOSAZ events! There are so many ways to get informed and involved and there are opportunities with SOSAZ almost every day of the week. Check out our Mobilize webpage to find virtual or in-person, calling voters or knocking on voters doors, getting to know other public education supporters in your area -- and more! |
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Stop the Extremist Civics Takeover
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👀 Keep Partisan Indoctrination Out of Schools: The Trump administration’s US Dept. of Education (US ED) announced a new MAGA-driven “patriotic education” curriculum initiative that it plans to force into classrooms across America. This is being pushed by a civics education coalition of more than 40 partner groups, all of which are closely aligned with the president’s MAGA, extremist movement — including PragerU, Moms for Liberty, the Heritage Foundation, Turning Point USA, ALEC, the Goldwater Institute, and Stephen Miller’s American First Legal. Now, US ED says it will provide discretionary grants to schools that promote ‘patriotic’ education.”
Our supporters sent hundreds of emails to the Dept. of Education over the past month, demanding a stop to this program. The time for public comment is over, but this fight is not. US ED is now reviewing public comments and will then forward the new regulation to Congress for final approval. Any member of Congress can then introduce a joint resolution of disapproval, through which a simple majority vote can defeat the proposed regulation. We must speak up NOW so our Arizona members of Congress know that we reject this MAGA civics takeover!
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Tell the US Dept. of Education:
Restore Special Education Cuts NOW!
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Our newsletters don’t write themselves! Support our work by becoming a paid subscriber to Save Our Schools Arizona’s Substack. A monthly or annual donation of any amount helps to keep the lights on at the Weekly Education Report so we can provide you with the latest news in education week after week. |
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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. |
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