Arizona Supreme Court’s Desegregation Decision Leaves TUSD in Limbo; Marana Set for Recount

The Arizona Supreme Court’s recent ruling is set to cost the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) approximately $8.1 million.

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, the TUSD Governing Board will receive an update on the ruling’s implications moving forward. Despite the substantial financial impact, the board seems to view it as an added insult to injury.

The issue revolves around the intricacies of property taxes. Arizona has two types: primary taxes set by elected officials and secondary taxes often approved by voters. According to the Arizona Constitution, primary taxes for owner-occupied homes are capped at 1 percent, and if a county’s tax rate exceeds this cap, the state covers the excess. This arrangement has frustrated the Legislature since it allows districts like TUSD to exceed the cap and receive state funds.

In 2018, Arizona lawmakers sought to mitigate this by targeting desegregation funds, shifting them from primary to secondary taxes through a bill signed by Gov. Doug Ducey. Despite the shift, TUSD still demanded the state pay the $8.1 million owed. The Ducey administration refused, citing that state aid for desegregation only applied to primary tax-funded programs. The funds were now secondary, though they continued to count towards the 1 percent cap.

A court battle ensued, culminating in the state Supreme Court’s ruling last month siding with the Ducey administration. The decision mandates that school districts under federal desegregation orders must reduce overall expenditures to comply with the 1 percent limit. Future desegregation funds will be part of regular spending, further straining school budgets in a state already ranking 48th in K-12 funding.

Though newly elected Gov. Katie Hobbs may have had the opportunity to change course, she opted to uphold the existing legal interpretations. The legal and political machinery within the Arizona Department of Revenue drove the matter forward, making it difficult for any single executive to halt the process.

Meanwhile, the TUSD’s financial situation looks somewhat favorable despite the ruling. The district is slated to receive an additional $23 million for fiscal year 2024-25, mitigating the need for severe budget cuts. This will allow TUSD to fund 3,383 new lockers for middle and high school students, with bids ranging from $2.4 million to $7 million.

Shifting gears to electoral matters, as Marana and Sahuarita set to certify their July 30 primary election results. Marana will conduct a recount to confirm if Roxanne Ziegler can maintain her razor-thin 14-vote lead for one of the two Town Council seats. In Sahuarita, four council members were elected without competition, ensuring a smooth transition.

The Vail Unified School District is implementing a new evaluation tool for community programs, in keeping with its reputation for thorough reassessment. This “tool” will help determine program effectiveness and alignment with district goals.

At the Catalina Foothills Unified School District, policy shifts include barring sex offenders from the school board and giving enrollment preferences to children of active duty or deceased service members. A new initiative allows districts to store glucagon for diabetes care, prompting necessary policy updates.

Flowing Wells Unified School District will deliberate on special education improvements amidst recurrent challenges of enrollment loss and funding. Amphitheater Unified School District is poised to approve new textbooks, including “Beowulf: A Graphic Novel,” prompting discussions on the balance between modern relevance and classical education.

On the Northeast Side, the Tanque Verde Unified School District resumes after robust faculty training sessions aimed at enhancing educational quality. Sunnyside Unified School District highlights its newly remodeled Family Resource and Wellness Center, offering programs such as potty training and positive parenting.

Finally, Sahuarita Unified School District’s upcoming meeting will focus on routine governance tasks like approving minutes and recognizing student achievements.