By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Capitol Times
Calling the governor’s plan not sustainable, the Arizona PTA has withdrawn its backing for Gov. Doug Ducey’s teacher pay hike plan.
Beth Simek, the organization’s president, told Capitol Media Services this afternoon that said her own research showed her that there is no way Ducey can finance both the raises and restore capital funding without cutting other needed programs. And Simek said she believes some of what the governor plans to slice could end up hurting the very children her organization is working to protect.
The change of heart comes just two days after Simek stood with the Arizona School Boards Association and some other school groups to give their blessing to Ducey’s proposal.
Potentially more significant, one purpose of that press conference was to convince teachers to vote against a strike. And her new decision comes even as teachers are voting through today on whether to walk out.
