East Valley Tribune, Gilbert: 04-10-16

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THE VOICE OF THE EAST VALLEY SINCE 1891 AND WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR LOCAL REPORTING

Young Skateboader is fast-rising star

THE SUNDAY

Tribune

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Gilbert Edition

Mesa engineer’s idea inspred by ants PAGE 12

Sunday, April 10, 2016

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S NEWS | Grid Bikes 10

Successful program expanding to Mesa

COMMUNITY | Schools 13

Gilbert school waiting for decision on its fate

FAITH |

Spiritual Side 28

Stewardship of the earth has never been more pressing

TODAY’S TALKERS p3 OPINION

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FAITH/FAMILY

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CLASSIFIED

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Volunteers make phone calls to support Prop 123 at the Let’s Vote Yes for Arizona Schools headquarters in Scottsdale. [David Jolkovski/Tribune]

COVER STORY

Prop. 123 stirs emotions

BY SHELLEY RIDENOUR TRIBUNE

FASHION | Designer goes from Marines to New York Fashion Week EVENT | Beer N’ Bones and a night at the museum PERFORMANCE | ABC’s ‘Nashville in Concert’

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esa mom Jessica Bailey says she’s conflicted about Proposition 123. “I think it’s a bad deal,” Bailey says. “But I think if voters don’t approve it, the governor and legislators will use it against us and say people don’t want to fund education.” Bailey, the mom of three kids who are either in school or soon will be, is a substitute teacher who is working on her master’s degree in education. She is among moms who support additional funding for education but are not sure Proposition 123 is the answer. Proposition 123 would temporarily increase the amount of money taken from the state’s land trust fund and given to schools. Currently, 2.5 percent of the

interest earned on the state land trust fund goes to education. Prop. 123 would amend Arizona’s Constitution to earmark 6.9 percent of that interest to schools for a decade, with conditions. Opponents say while they want Arizona lawmakers to better fund education, approving Prop. 123 tells legislators it’s OK to ignore voter mandates. They also say there are too many hidden pieces in Prop. 123 that could result in schools not getting the promised extra money. And, they add, school boards and administrators can spend any extra money as they see fit. The measure has pitted two statewideelected Republican officials against one another. Gov. Doug Ducey essentially developed the plan and has been vocal in his support. State Treasurer Jeff DeWit immediately

spoke out against the plan, tried to block its passage by the Legislature, and has continued to campaign against it. Prop. 123 doesn’t specify exactly where the money has to be spent by school districts. DeWit questions why the proposition’s language isn’t more specific about how any money from Prop. 123 would have to be spent by school officials.

Moms say they’re confused Erin Stallings is a parent of three Mesa schoolchildren. Her youngest child attends Imagine Elementary and Middle School at East Mesa, where Stallings is co-president of the Parents and Teachers Together group. Stallings isn’t happy that Arizona government leaders have proposed Prop. 123 to settle a lawsuit pending from Proposition 301, See Education funding on page 4


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