Lawsuit resolution could provide money for MUSD

A resolution reached between the State of Arizona and many schools could provide additional funding for the Maricopa Unified School District.

MUSD has been involved in the lawsuit for years, and the resolution could provide the district with up to $1.25 million. The funding measure will be voted on by the public in a special election in May 2016.

“The money doesn’t put us ahead; it is money that is already owed to us,” Governing Board President Patti Coutre said. “If we get it, it will go to improvements, but it doesn’t replace the need for an override.”

In Special Session Oct. 29, the state Legislature passed an education funding plan that delivers $3.5 billion to K-12 schools through 2026. Gov. Doug Ducey signed the bill Oct. 30.

“There is still a long way to go,” MUSD Superintendent Steve Chestnut said. “The entire thing is dependent on voter approval in a statewide election in May. If it does not pass in May, no additional funds would be allocated.”

The extra funding could prove to be crucial for the district to bring on extra teachers and lower class sizes, but the MUSD Governing Board does not believe it is the solution to the district’s issues.

“[The funding] doesn’t solve the education funding issues,” Governing Board member Torri Anderson said. “It doesn’t put us ahead of the game. We will still be 50th in the nation for funding.”

If the voters do not approve the funding, the lawsuit will go back to litigation. It could be years before the district would have a chance to receive it again.

The amount of money awarded to each district is dependent on the number of students enrolled. Maricopa has reached a record number of students enrolled this year, so the estimate for the amount of money coming to the district would be $1.254 million.

“The earliest the money would be available would be June,” Chestnut said. “We’ve not yet seen all of the requirements concerning the use of those funds if approved.  It is too soon to say how the funds would be used.”