Looking back through the decades, there probably hasn’t been a school issue on the ballot that we haven’t supported.

Why?

Because we think education is important to the community of Fountain Hills, that’s why.

We’re well aware of the fact that simply throwing money into education is not a panacea to cure this society’s woes. Administrators and educators often can be biased when it comes to budgetary issues and making financial recommendations.

However, it’s also no secret that Arizona ranks toward the bottom nationally when it comes to per-pupil spending and investing in our young students. Fountain Hills voters have a smart tradition of supporting education, and that trend needs to continue with the two school-related items on the mail-in ballot – the budget overrides and the $8 million capital improvement bond.

It’s been a rough couple of years for FHUSD with the recession – a double whammy of budget cuts at the state level coupled with declining student enrollment due to changing demographics in town (young families being forced out of town due to job losses, etc.).

The electorate several years ago approved budget overrides, and today’s question merely extends those overrides and the additional tax levies currently being assessed. These are “extra” funds above what the School Board can approve for the budget, and they are needed for such things as continuing all-day kindergarten (which we believe in), teacher salaries and more.

As for the bond issue, on-site improvements and upgrades are needed on all the campuses. The fact that Four Peaks School is sitting empty doesn’t change those “needs” elsewhere in the district (and, by the way, it wouldn’t be prudent for the board to sell that property at this moment). But we digress…

Some have been critical of a possible artificial turf field that may be installed at the high school football field. Again, we will yield to the local experts and administrators as they prioritize projects if the capital funding is approved. Improvements will still be needed on the football field even if the bond is rejected.

It’s important for voters to look at the “big picture” and keep our young students in mind when checking those items on the ballot. Our community is better off with a well-funded and well-performing School District.