The daily rag gets it right:

[…]

Putting it politely, the Arizona Legislature is no friend of public education. Once, there was enough support and gubernatorial leadership to fund all-day kindergarten. But supporters lost elections. When gaping budget deficits developed, those who opposed all-day kindergarten from the beginning jumped at the chance to slash the funding.

[…]

If districts have to backfill what the state has taken away, it leaves less override money to keep class sizes lower. The only silver lining is that, because Prop. 100 passed, those classes didn’t get bigger yet.

Parents are quick to complain to the local superintendent or school board. Legislators escape responsibility.

This is not a rare occurrence. Lawmakers get it into their heads that schools should offer this class or attack that social ill. They mandate the action but provide no funding.

Districts have to hire administrators to implement the programs and file reports, which leads to politicians complaining that schools don’t spend enough in the classroom. The charge resonates with the public, which correctly wants more money spent on teachers and less on administration.

This is all worth remembering as you cast your ballot for legislative candidates in the Aug. 24 primary and Nov. 2 general election. If education is important to you, take the time to explore the candidates' positions on the issue


Read the whole op ed here.