“It is hard to imagine a time in the history of American public education when there has been such a widespread political effort to argue that improving the quality of schools has little or nothing to do with the amount of money spent on public education. That is, that money simply doesn’t matter.” Bruce Baker, Professor, Rutgers Graduate School of Education.

Who would argue that schools with fewer resources are better, or that reducing funding can be an effective way to improve schools or student achievement?

To be clear, money alone may not be the only answer. Money must be spent wisely and the board must ensure effective policies and district administration must continue to budget for an equitable and effective allocation of financial resources to have a positive influence on education quality.

But it is an entirely unsupportable proposition that funding cuts, like those this district has experienced over the last five years, cause no harm.

Fountain Hills Unified School District is a key part of maintaining Fountain Hills as a sustainable community: it has a direct impact on property values, it attracts families, it enhances quality of life, it is the major local employer, its staff, students, and parents are consumers of local professional services and retail.

Do quality schools and quality education play a role in economic development? You bet they do.

Families with school-age children move to communities like Fountain Hills in large part because of quality education opportunities. Student achievement and quality facilities are interconnected. Well maintained facilities also positively impact neighborhoods. Activities that occur in and around school buildings can build community social capital.

I, as a proud parent of a Falcon student athlete, urge you to vote “yes” in favor of both school initiatives: the $8 million bond and the combined K-12 override.