Spell-A-Thon Update - Scary Budget Crisis!!!!!!

Our spell-a-thon was a HUGE success. I am so grateful to so many people who helped me out along the way. I had to do so much by myself in the beginning, but once we got it kicked off I needed help desperately. There were always two or three women there to save the day for me. I couldn't have done it without them!!!!

We had a school goal to raise $5,000 with about $1,000 in expenses - netting $4,000 for the school. What was the outcome?!?!?! It completely blew me away....

We raised $12,152.19 with less than $1,000 in expenses netting about $11,200 for the school!!!!!

It has had tremendous response from the entire district. I have several PTA Fundraising chairs contact me for assistance for one at each of their own schools next year. I hope they will have just as much success as we did - especially with the state budgets coming down as they are.

We already know that we will be replacing the two very torn shade covers on both playgrounds - a HUGE necessity in our state & heat. Then we are working with the principals on a list of priorities to make sure the money is spent quickly and very wisely. We want parents to see the benefit of the work they put in.


Speaking of the budget. All districts state wide are going to be experiencing about a minimum of a 10% budget cut from the state. Regardless of anything that is done. That is a very large amount. The state legislature has been working diligently on finding a solution. The solution is a $0.01 sales tax. I know, I know - people might be thinking another tax?!?! It is only to be in affect for one year and will create $1 billion in revenue. The legislation on the tax specifically states that 2/3 of the revenue is used for education ONLY!! The bad news? It has to be passed by voters. Just in Pima county alone 78% of the homes do not have school age children and therefore may not understand the implications if this does not pass. If it does NOT pass - every single school district state wide will receive an additional 20 to 40% cut (in addition to the 10% everyone is already facing) from the state. Can you imagine trying to run anything on 50% budget?!?!?! It is impossible. I have attended several meetings now where the state budget and educational topics have been discussed. Pros, cons, solutions, and what the plans of action are. We need to make sure this gets passed in the state of AZ. Please help us spread the word. The early ballots are being sent out in March with the "actual" voting taking place on May18th. I know most people reading this are my family and friends living in this state. Please let me know if you want more info. I can direct you to numerous websites where every detail and fact is listed. It is so scary.

Like myself, many people in my area moved to this specific part of town to be able to send out children to one of the great excelling Vail School District schools. If the budget is cut the first things to go are all "fine arts" programs (Music, Art) and athletics (ALL PE classes, all after school sports, etc). It will be a strict academic only program. District officials are worried that parents won't get involved until it actually hurts their own families. We know that Fine Arts & Athletics are both a necessary part of our children's education. Next all support staff in the school are gone as well as a handful of teachers in each school and at least a 3% pay cut to the teachers, with class sizes increasing from around 25 to upwards of 35. So we are doubling the work of our good teachers and taking away 3% t0 5% of their pay. The schools are going to go down hill so fast.

I hope you see what I am talking about. Please, Please, Please - look into this. Take a moment to see what is really happening. And take a stand! We need desperate help to pass along the word!