In 2000, Arizona voters passed Proposition 301: Sales Tax for Education Act to reward teachers for the countless hours they invest in our children. However in the past five years, over 70% of the 301 Pay for Performance dollars has been withheld from TUSD teachers. Please sign this petition to let TUSD Leadership, the Governing Board, and TEA (the teachers’ union) know that you support teachers and want these tax dollars to be immediately disbursed to them.

Dear TUSD Governing Board, Dr. H.T. Sanchez and Mr. Freed:

In the past ten years, TUSD has withheld millions of Pay for Performance dollars from eligible teachers. The last five years have been the most extreme with only 26-28% of the yearly sales tax revenues disbursed to teachers. Consequently this account, subtracting this year and next year’s payouts ($1.9 million and $7.7 million respectively), stands at $12.7 million. It appears that TUSD has been using the teachers’ bonus money to fill in budget holes, as public documents like the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) prepared by TUSD's external auditor accounting firm report: “Negative cash on deposit with the Country Treasurer was reduced by inter-fund borrowing with the Classroom Site Fund [301 Pay for Performance].”

News of this surplus has created distrust and serious concern. To follow is how I would like this matter resolved in order to restore both the teachers’ and public’s trust in TUSD:

1) Per an amended 301 Pay for Performance Plan, TUSD must disburse the entire surplus with interest to eligible teachers and retirees in one lump sum by the end of the 2016-2017 academic school year. This is important to protect people from losing out on this money due to retirement or leave. Payouts must be based on each eligible teacher and retiree’s employment with the district during the years this funding was withheld. Disbursement must not be tied to current Pay for Performance requirements. Teachers and retirees fairly earned this money by fulfilling the set requirements years ago and therefore they must not be compelled to re-earn it.

2) There must be written agreement that TUSD allocate all 301 Pay for Performance money each year. Voters expected full payout of this money, so there should be no savings account from this or any voter approved funding sources intended for teachers. Financial information must also be accessible on TUSD’s website. Funding codes and titles within these documents must use overt wording so that taxpayers know exactly where to track teacher funding. For instance 301 Pay for Performance money should labeled as such.

3) Prior to drafting an amended 301 Plan, TEA must submit a survey to all stakeholders and share both the raw results and their interpretation of the results. Stakeholders must also be permitted to comment on the survey’s questions and this feedback must be made public.

4) In general if teachers, nurses, counselors or social workers incur any form of pay cut or bonus monies are withheld, 1010 Leadership must also incur an equal cut or withholding of their funding, bonuses and/or raises. For example, if there is a 10% pay cut for teachers et al, 1010 Administrators must also incur a 10% cut. If teachers are only given 26% of their bonus monies, 1010 may only be given 26% of theirs as well.

Thank you and we look forward to a fair resolution regarding public funds.

Sincerely,

TUSD Teachers and their Supporters