Amphi supporters back overrides

Andrea Rivera

Oct. 8, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Supporters of the Amphitheater Public Schools district are raising awareness about two ballot measures that could generate extra funds for the Amphitheater Public Schools district if approved in November's election.

LEAP AHEAD for Amphi Schools, a political action committee formed by Amphi supporters in 2005, began campaigning for Propositions 403 and 404 soon after the Amphi Governing Board called for the budget overrides in June.

If passed, Proposition 403 would renew a maintenance and operation budget override that district voters first approved in 2005.

That override has allowed the district to exceed its maintenance and operation budget by 10 percent every year since 2005.

Proposition 404 is a $2 million capital override that the district would use to upgrade computer technology if voters pass the proposition Nov. 3.

One message LEAP AHEAD is trying to educate voters on is that neither Proposition 403 nor 404 would raise property taxes in the Amphi school district.

"They are very serious about making both propositions tax-neutral," Amphi parent Susan Zibrat said of the district's commitment to not increasing taxes.

She added: "Amphi has done a very good job of gaining our community's trust. They would be crazy not to deliver what they promised."

Since the budget override is a renewal, taxpayers will not see an increase in their tax levy and Amphi's Governing Board will only move forward with capital override projects when they can ensure that the tax levy won't be interrupted.

Zibrat has two daughters at Ironwood Ridge High School and has been involved in LEAP AHEAD -- which stands for Leaders, Educators and Parents Advocating for Higher Education in the Amphi District -- since it launched in 2005.

She worked on LEAP campaigns that supported the 2005 budget override, which now is up for renewal, and a 2007 bond election. Both measures passed.

"The reason why I'm so obsessively involved is because this is a way I can be part of the solution," she said.

LEAP has about 10 active committee members.

The shaky economy has made this campaign more challenging than past ones, Zibrat said.

"People are really upset right now and understandably so," she said. "The economy is hard."

Sahuarita, Tanque Verde and Vail school districts also have budget overrides up for renewal on November's ballot.

Tucson Unified School District is seeking budget and capital overrides.

Amphi parent Erin Collier volunteers with LEAP so she can make a difference in public education here in Tucson.

Collier's husband, David Welsh, also volunteers.

"This is an effort parents and businesses and our community can take on locally that is very important given the Draconian cuts to education that our legislators are making," she said. "It's a way we can make an impact locally."

She wants to see the budget override renewed so her two sons, Reed and Donny, can continue to receive art, music and physical education.

With the budget override, the Amphi district has added more art, music and physical education classes at elementary schools, reduced class sizes in core subject classes, offered more advanced-placement and elective courses at middle and high schools, funded more than 100 new staff positions and supported intervention programs.

Collier's children attend Wilson K-8 School and receive 50 minutes each of art, music and physical education weekly.

"I really appreciate it, especially in light of the research that says art and music enhance academic learning," she said.

Amphi parent Randy Agron advocates for LEAP because he has two children attending Amphi schools, but moreover he knows that good schools help property values.

Agron is vice president of A.F. Sterling Homes and wanted to be involved as a home builder and parent.

He said the district operates well despite their limited resources.

Zibrat and the others hoped to raise $60,000 to support their campaign, but said they will fall well short of that figure.

They did raise enough money to put up signs throughout the district in support of the ballot proposals.

Most of the group's focus is on educating the public.

"It's just getting out there and creating an awareness and getting people to understand how important these overrides are," Zibrat said.

Members hold committee meetings every two weeks to share information about the overrides.

Their next meeting is at 10 a.m. Friday at the Amphitheater Education Association office, 6873 N. Oracle Road.

LEAP ahead

LEAP will hold a committee meeting open to community members at 10 a.m. Friday at the Amphitheater Education Association office, 6873 N. Oracle Road.

For more information about LEAP AHEAD for Amphi Schools go online to www.leapahead4amphi.com.

Additional information on the overrides is available on Amphi's Web site at www.amphi.com.

Contact reporter Andrea Rivera at 806-7737 or arivera@azstarnet.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0014-38634088