Responding to Councilman Skillicorn concerning Fountain Hills override
OPINION — I'm writing in response to Allen Skillicorn's letter posted online on Aug. 7.
In recent years, FHUSD has responded strongly to dropping enrollment which has impacted almost all school districts across Arizona and many nationwide. The district has done this in a financially responsible manner while protecting and preserving the quality of education and opportunities provided to our students.
This includes consolidation of buildings, sale of vacant property and budget cuts totaling over $3 million in the last three fiscal years. FHUSD continues to explore ways to save money while fulfilling our responsibility to the community.
The M&O override is a continuation of what the voters have approved twice in past years. It is not a new tax, but allowing it to continue will allow the district to maintain competitive teacher salaries, limit staff turnover, maintain classroom funding and continue accelerated programs like Innovate 21 and the FHU program, which allows our high school students to earn one year of university credit before graduation, for free. This is the purpose of the M&O override.
In short, it will allow FHUSD to continue to serve our students and parents and operate as a local school under local control.
It is generally accepted that quality schools help to preserve property values. Might this also help attract younger families to Fountain Hills, something I believe would be good for the town, its economy and its future?
To be accurate, the proceeds from the sale of property will be for capital expenses, such as roof repairs and AC replacement, and not for salaries, classroom funding and student programs. For factual information about how the FHUSD operates, please attend district meetings, contact administration or talk to your school board members.
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