Dave Joseph: ‘Yes’ on MUSD override, Prop. 204

This election includes a number of very important propositions. As I’ve been traveling the legislative district (11) meeting voters, there have been questions about them. Here is my take on the ones relating to education:

Vote “yes” on Maricopa Unified School District override

There is no more important investment to be made than in our community’s children. As a businessman who evaluates opportunities by the return, this is a spectacular investment.

MUSD, like the television stations I turned around, has been starved for resources. We already have a great new team in place. The strong new leadership of Dr. Chestnut has been making improvements by leaps and bounds and his team deserves your support. They are motivated; they have the passion and ability to make MUSD one of the best in the state. Importantly, they have very clearly spelled out how the funds will be used – so you know specifically what will be done with your money.

The cost to you is less than $5 per month for a home whose assessed value is $100,000. Your return on investment is a strong public school system, one that will attract residents and thus raise home prices. A minimal 1-percent increase in home prices results in more than 17 times your money back.

Most school districts in Arizona have enacted an override, because your fellow state residents know great schools means a stronger community, a higher quality of life for everyone – and better home values.

Prop 204: Vote “yes” on 204 because the Legislature has devastated funding for traditional public education

One of the most important issues in this election is education. As you tell from the above, smart investment in education affects us all in many ways.

As someone who has had to recruit talented individuals to work at my companies, I know prospective employees want to be assured their children can get a great public education. I know areas with poor performing schools have a poor talent pool, making it harder to build a successful business.

As the father of three exceptional daughters who were fortunate to graduate before the cuts hit, and the son of a teacher and a nuclear engineer, who were fortunate enough to be in the first generation of our family to get a college degree (both from public colleges), I know directly how education has improved my life.

The only place where Arizona leads in education is in cuts. You can’t cut your way to success. The Legislature, and my opponents, has favored private and religious education at the expense of our traditional public schools. But let me make clear my gauge of a great educational system is not spending per student – it’s in the results achieved.