Opinion: Investing in Our Future: The Importance of School Funding in Pima County

This election season, Pima County residents will decide on several school funding proposals. Two school districts, Amphitheater and Marana Unified, located in the Tucson metropolitan area, along with the Continental Elementary School District in Green Valley, are seeking voter approval for measures to increase funding. 

As President of the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson, I urge all registered voters in these school districts to consider voting “yes.” According to the Education Law Center, a nonprofit organization that monitors and advocates for public school funding equity, Arizona ranked 50th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia in funding per student in 2023. Additionally, Arizona is among the lowest in PreK-12 education funding relative to the state’s overall economy. This situation can no longer be deemed acceptable. Due to insufficient state funds and limited federal resources, school districts must turn to voters to approve bonds and overrides. 

The League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson consistently asserts that public education is a vital pillar of a functioning democracy. We support four fundamental aspects of funding for public schools: increased sources of funding; continued centralized collection and distribution of funds; basic funding for the classroom; and the prohibition of public funds for private schools. 

Statewide, the Arizona League of Women Voters champions the funding of a public education system that provides uniform opportunities for all students to master the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to thrive in a competitive and changing world. By supporting public education, we are choosing to invest in our communities and to enhance the opportunities for future generations to lead happy and healthy lives.