It's time to have an honest conversation regarding funding at Paradise Valley USD (PVUSD). We often hear the statement from the district cabinet and certain activist board members, "Arizona is 49th in Education," but what criteria is this statement based on? Does it tell the full story or is it cherry-picking the data? And is the statewide average relevant to PVUSD funding or is it misleading?
The latest statement citing Arizona as "49th in Education" comes from a report from the Education Law Center (ELC), based on 2020-2021 funding data sourced from the U.S. Census Annual Survey of School System Finances, 2021. The study states that Arizona Funding Level is $10,670. This number is a state average and not a clear indicator of the funding received by Paradise Valley USD, Arizona's 7th largest school district.
District Total Revenues
According to PVUSD's latest Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), the district received $419.7 million in Total Revenues in fiscal year 2022-2023, a 31.4 % increase since 2018. That is $15,778 per student in revenue, far higher than the number quoted in the Census data. Total Revenues includes federal, state and local revenue sources.
Total Revenues Chart
*source: https://www.pvschools.net/fs/resource-manager/view/1ebceca0-aa2d-4a7c-9d69-bb408522704c (pages 121,122)
District State Revenues
In addition to significant increases to Total Revenues, State specific Revenues have also increased significantly. According to the same 2023 district CAFR, the district received $123.3 million in State Revenues in fiscal year 2022-2023, a 44.6% increase since 2018.
State Revenues Chart
*source: https://www.pvschools.net/fs/resource-manager/view/1ebceca0-aa2d-4a7c-9d69-bb408522704c (pages 121,122)
District Local Revenues
A significant majority of the district's revenue comes from district Property Taxes. According to the 2023 district CAFR, the district received $220.6 million in Property Taxes, which is 52.6% of Total Revenues.
District Declining Enrollment
Despite these large increases in district funding, PVUSD has experienced sharply declining enrollment. District enrollment has dropped from 30,188 in 2018 to 25,840, a loss of 4,348 students.
District Enrollment Chart
*source: https://www.pvschools.net/fs/resource-manager/view/1ebceca0-aa2d-4a7c-9d69-bb408522704c (page 140)
District Expenditures
Where has the district spent these significant revenue increases?
While the district did increase Instruction spending (teachers, instructional professionals, aides, etc.) 29.5% since 2018, 'Support services - students and staff' have increased 68.2% and 'Operation and maintenance of plant services' increased 49.3% since 2018.
Instruction spending is just 51% of the district's budget.
*source: https://www.pvschools.net/fs/resource-manager/view/1ebceca0-aa2d-4a7c-9d69-bb408522704c (page 28)
General Fund Balance
Meanwhile, the district continues to increase the General Fund Balance every year to over $126M in FY2023, an annual increase of over $36M. According to the Arizona Auditor General, "some districts may have chosen to use these monies to make one-time payments that increased their average teacher salary for the fiscal year, while others may have made increases to their salary schedules that represent an ongoing commitment of monies."
General Fund Balance
*source: https://www.pvschools.net/fs/resource-manager/view/1ebceca0-aa2d-4a7c-9d69-bb408522704c (pages 112,113)
Summary
In summary, it is clear that PVUSD does not have a revenue problem attributed to the state average, and revenue sources have significantly increased despite a sharp decline in district enrollment.
We need proven business leaders that understand budgets and balance sheets on the school board. To join my campaign, please sign my petition to get me on the November ballot and consider donating to my campaign.
To sign my petition, please email me at Eddy@EddyJackson.com.
I accept donations on the following platforms:
Venmo (@EddyJackson)
Zelle (Eddy@EddyJackson.com)
Eddy Jackson, Candidate for Paradise Valley School Board
To view your property tax bill, go to mcassessor.maricopa.gov. Search for your address or parcel. Then click on your parcel number. Then click on View/Pay Tax Bill, a new window will open. In the left column, scroll to and click on Most Recent Tax Document. Scroll to page 2 and you will see the district taxes, bonds and overrides you are assessed on your property. You will notice over 50% of your property tax bill goes to education.
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