PHOENIX — A Maricopa County judge has ruled in favor of school districts in a protracted legal battle concerning Arizona’s funding of K-12 facilities, determining that the existing system breaches the state Constitution.
In a decision issued Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Dewain Fox stated that Arizona’s public school capital finance system fails to meet the minimum constitutional standards required for educational support. The ruling was described as historic by Danny Adelman, executive director of the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest, which initiated the lawsuit. “This decision declares the method by which Arizona finances public school infrastructure as unconstitutional,” he said in an interview.
The Arizona Constitution mandates that lawmakers provide sufficient funds for the maintenance and improvement of educational institutions. Adelman emphasized the judge’s message to the Legislature: “You need to do your job. You need to fix this.”
Fox outlined specific areas where the four school districts involved in the lawsuit are struggling financially. This includes outdated chemistry textbooks, significant weatherization needs, and persistent air-conditioning issues in the Chino Valley Unified School District. Cindy Daniels, the district’s superintendent, shared that they still have nine critical projects waiting for funding, including addressing leaking, aging windows with hazardous asbestos-based sealants.
The situation is particularly dire for a fire alarm upgrade at Chino Valley High School, where the system frequently malfunctions, necessitating hired personnel to monitor the campus for fire hazards. “We should not be in a position where we have to hire someone to patrol for smoke or potential fire risks,” Daniels lamented.
Due to a lack of voter-approved bond funding in recent decades, the Chino Valley district relies heavily on state support. “It’s unfortunate that districts have to sue their own state to secure the funding they are entitled to,” Daniels noted. Judge Fox referenced the Arizona Constitution’s requirement for a “general and uniform” education system but highlighted how disparities exist due to the current funding structure.
“Wealthier districts that can pass bonds have resources that poorer districts do not,” Adelman stated, stressing the inequity faced by students in less affluent areas. He warned that the state agency responsible for school repairs is already underfunded, pointing out that many projects go unfunded.
The ruling also stands to benefit wealthier districts that depend on local funding, as it emphasizes the state’s obligation. “It is fundamentally unjust for affluent communities to shoulder state responsibilities alongside their local taxes,” Adelman added.
The lawsuit initiated in 2017 includes the Chino Valley Unified School District, Elfrida Elementary, Crane Elementary, and Glendale Elementary, along with various advocacy groups and a taxpayer. Ellen White, executive director of the Arizona School Boards Association, acknowledged the ruling as a step forward but emphasized that further work lies ahead to convert this decision into tangible improvements for students across Arizona.
Despite the positive developments, no immediate changes are anticipated. The 114-page ruling followed a lengthy trial and a final judgment is still months away. Arizona legislative leaders have stated their intention to appeal the decision, with House Speaker Steve Montenegro expressing his disagreement in a brief statement.
This article was automatically written by Open AI. The people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate, and any article can be requested removed, retracted, or corrected by writing an email to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.