Glendale Elementary District board picks school funding, full-day kindergarten and IDEA funding as top Arizona priorities
May 14, 2026 | Glendale Elementary District (4271), School Districts, Arizona
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The Glendale Elementary District governing board on May 14 voted to submit three priorities to the Arizona School Boards Association aimed at stabilizing school funding and supporting students: (1) provide consistent, dedicated sources of base funding based on the most recent statewide cost study; (2) fully fund full‑day kindergarten and include kindergarten students in override calculations; and (3) fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Superintendent Sagata Jones introduced the item and said the priorities reflect longstanding district concerns about state funding. Board members emphasized the centrality of funding: one member summarized the discussion bluntly as a need to “fund” core services and supports. After discussion, a board member moved that Miss Pal submit those three priorities on the district’s behalf; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote (Miss Wilson: I; Miss Bartell: I; Chair: I).
Why it matters: district officials said the proposals are intended to address gaps identified in statewide cost studies and to protect classroom supports that are vulnerable when funding shortfalls occur. Board members noted that some related items—such as expanded preschool or other program expansions—are supported in principle but are unlikely to succeed without broader funding changes.
Board members also noted ongoing advocacy at the state and federal level: one board member said Mr. Bergen will again attend national advocacy meetings in Washington, D.C., to press for special‑education funding. The board instructed Miss Pal to transmit the three priorities to the Arizona School Boards Association as the district’s top political agenda items.
Next steps: the priorities will be submitted to the Arizona School Boards Association for inclusion in that organization’s political agenda and used by district advocates in upcoming meetings with state and federal policymakers.
Superintendent Sagata Jones introduced the item and said the priorities reflect longstanding district concerns about state funding. Board members emphasized the centrality of funding: one member summarized the discussion bluntly as a need to “fund” core services and supports. After discussion, a board member moved that Miss Pal submit those three priorities on the district’s behalf; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote (Miss Wilson: I; Miss Bartell: I; Chair: I).
Why it matters: district officials said the proposals are intended to address gaps identified in statewide cost studies and to protect classroom supports that are vulnerable when funding shortfalls occur. Board members noted that some related items—such as expanded preschool or other program expansions—are supported in principle but are unlikely to succeed without broader funding changes.
Board members also noted ongoing advocacy at the state and federal level: one board member said Mr. Bergen will again attend national advocacy meetings in Washington, D.C., to press for special‑education funding. The board instructed Miss Pal to transmit the three priorities to the Arizona School Boards Association as the district’s top political agenda items.
Next steps: the priorities will be submitted to the Arizona School Boards Association for inclusion in that organization’s political agenda and used by district advocates in upcoming meetings with state and federal policymakers.
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