The Increasing Cost to Attend Public School in the West Valley
What's New in the Buckeye Union High School District for 2022-23
Buckeye Union High School District [BUHSD] covers a 1,200 square mile area serving students and spanning across Arlington, Buckeye, Goodyear, Palo Verde, and Tonopah.
Student Enrollment in May 2022:
Buckeye Union High School: 1,740 students
Estrella Foothills High School: 1,270 students
Youngker High School: 2,030 students
Learning Center: 220 students
In May 2022, Superintendent Dr. Steven Bebee organized a traveling information forum to alert the public about upcoming changes in this upcoming school year.
I was one of less than a dozen non staff attendees at the Estrella Foothills tour stop.
Note, our family had a very positive experience at Estrella Foothills High School because of the phenomenal teachers and coaches. This blog post is not meant to take aim at the district. Rather, it’s an explanation of what’s happened to cause the squeeze on education in our rapidly growing area of the country.
The majority of the one-hour and 26-minute talk had to do with the district’s purpose and lots and lots of barely readable spreadsheets and numbers. It wasn’t until the last 20 seconds that the need for a fourth… and maybe even a fifth high school was mentioned. That’s what I really wanted to know about and why I attended.
What I did see was, of course… this graphic… The infamous, “Arizona Ranks 49th” in per pupil spending and funding.
Followed by the district’s M&O State Funding Formula….
Then followed up with… this important historical timeline.
Voters approved bond projects in 2006 and 2014. But in 2013 and 2020, the bond elections were “unsuccessful.”
The M&O Override failed in November 2021.
WHO’S TO BLAME?
A year earlier, in May 2021, under the previous interim superintendent, Rob Roberson, the Citizen’s Advisory Committee met to hear a presentation from HighGround - a public affairs company providing clients with ‘superior’ advocacy through lobbying, campaign management”, etc.
You can view the video addressing a budget continuation plan.
VIDEO: “Citizen’s Advisory Committee Meeting from May 17, 2021”
(In the event the video is deleted, you may view the PDF.)
HighGround advised the district put a Budget Continuation up for vote… but not the bond.
LACK OF COMMUNICATION
Also advised was using “continuation” language versus tax increase lingo. Meaning… the phrase “retaining teachers” polls better than “preventing layoffs.”
The biggest challenge for the district is reaching voters. HighGround estimated 60% of voters don’t get daily communication from the district. (I’m guessing it’s waaaay higher than that!)
The people clearly do not attend meetings. So how are they to get their information?
In the year 2022, a majority of voters, parents, teachers, and staff turn to the internet for information. Websites and social media are avenues for people to get their information.
The district’s social media is inadequate, at best. I’ve addressed my concern about the lack of communication to district officials on numerous occasions.
In fact, the address for Estrella Foothills High School is incorrect on its Google page.
The best way for people to understand the need is to SHOW them. Seeing the aged facilities and hearing interviews from staff frustrated by the lack of resources pulls on the heartstrings more than begging for money a month before the election.
A staff member recently told me the carpet smelled so bad they could barely stand it… but the budget only called for a fresh coat of paint. How can they retain employees in this state of affairs?
HighGround suggested the problem with messaging is hindered by the electorate’s politics. HighGround notes to the citizen’s committee - “the voters in this district are older and heavily Republican”…
“They are going to rely on outside sources, sometimes national sources. They are much more likely to have their opinion formed by Fox News than they are about the school newspaper. So bare that in mind as we navigate this and as you think about communicating with the community about this. By being here tonight, you’ll know more than the 99% of folks you talk to.” -16 minute mark in the video
HighGround told attendees a “sales pitch would be structured” and the district should use community members to reach voters over the age of 55.
THE REALITY FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR
Way back in May it was obvious cuts were coming. My heart sank seeing this next graphic as I know the increase in activity fees for athletes could restrict some kids from participating.
At Youngker - there was talk of repurposing the Aux Gym to create additional classrooms. The school’s just moved up into AIA 5A Conference.
In an email this week, the district outlined the following cuts to expect right off the top.
Transportation - Students residing “within a school attendance area and live more than a mile and a half (1 1/2) from the school will be eligible to ride the bus to and from their home school.”
WHY? Blame the voters.
“With the failure of last November’s M&O Override Election, budget cuts and adjustments were made to several areas, including student transportation. All students attending a school by open enrollment or variance will have to provide their own transportation to school…”
Buckeye Union High School District | Link
Here are the walk/bus maps.
FEWER TEACHERS
The district has 9 fewer teachers this school year. More students. And higher participation fees.
WHY? Blame the voters.
Class Size - “Because of the approximately 9 district-wide teaching positions being reduced that were funded by the override…”
2021-22 Student/Teacher Ratio: 31:1
2022-23 Student/Teacher Ratio: 33.75:1
What’s next? In the last few seconds of the presentation in May, Dr. Bebee mentioned a High School #4. And that was it…
Lots of needs. Few solutions… which I think can be resolved with simple communication.
I was the only non-staff attendee at the BUHS meeting.