In a recent study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, it was noted that Arizona ranks third nationally in cutting per pupil funding for education.

These are vital funds which districts use to pay their faculty and staff, to purchase curricular programs and supplies, and to provide professional development needed to allow our teachers to be prepared to teach the Arizona Common Core Standards.

Cuts in school funding have presented an abysmal financial situation in which school districts must operate. As a retired superintendent for FHUSD, I can tell you that local administrators have a herculean task trying to balance their budget with reduced funds to continue to provide a quality education for our children.

One of the saving graces for our district, however, has been the generosity of the citizens of Fountain Hills who have agreed to a secondary tax that supplements the state funding.

The secondary tax, which has been in place for over a decade, has been paramount in helping the district augment state funds.

This November, our citizens are being asked to renew this secondary tax so the district can continue its responsibilities to the students and citizens of our town. I encourage you to vote “yes” to continue this initiative.

A second initiative for the School District will also appear on this November’s ballot and that will be a capital bond to maintain the facilities, infrastructure and transportation already present in the district. Just as a homeowner maintains the house in which (s)he lives, the School District must maintain the buildings, grounds, infrastructure and transportation assets that are vital for the safety and security of our students.

Please vote “yes” on both the maintenance and operations override renewal and the bond initiative. The children of Fountain Hills need and deserve our support.