The consolidation advisory committee for Mingus Union High and Cottonwood-Oak Creek school districts presented a report May 1 on expected costs and benefits of consolidation. The report showed big obstacles in the way of consolidation, even as it has the potential to improve some educational metrics.
“Based on the data and evidence gathered by the consolidation advisory committee, the MUHS district representatives conclude that a unification of the Mingus and Cottonwood-Oak Creek districts would lead to devastating financial, educational, curricular and extracurricular consequences for students and staff,” read summary remarks prepared by Mingus representatives.
The main issue comes from an estimated increased cost of at least $1 million to achieve salary equalization between MUHSD teachers and COCSD teachers every year, before accounting for any future pay increases. Without additional revenue to make up the shortfall, this deficit would likely lead to large cuts to other parts of the future school district’s budget. The increased costs of education are expected to outweigh any savings gleaned from consolidated administrative costs.
“If we’re concerned about our kids, which we should all be, we’re talking over a million dollar deficit every year. We have to find money for that somewhere,” said Steve Gesell, a member of the Mingus school board. “So it’s not as simple as it sounds.”
A report like this does not end the discussion or the push for consolidation. The Arizona state legislature this week passed a bill sponsored by Arizona Sen. Sylvia Allen [R-District 6] that makes it easier for consolidation to move forward, allowing to to go on the ballot to be decided by voters after just one of the school boards votes to consolidate, regardless of the decision of the other.
“If the governor signs it, as I understand it, it doesn’t matter what the Mingus board thinks, because the law says only one board needs to do this to send it to the voters,” said Gesell. With COCSD having already voted in favor of consolidation previously, this makes a ballot initiative highly likely.
A further issue could be the effect that the school consolidation could have on taxes not just for Cottonwood residents, but on those of Clarkdale. Even though the Clarkdale-Jerome School District has already voted against consolidation, some Clarkdale residents could see their taxes change to accommodate the new district, possibly causing legal liability through taxation without representation.
Mingus teachers opposed to the merger spent much of last week manning a booth at the Verde Valley Fair spreading the word against the consolidation efforts.
“We’re trying to make sure we get the information out there. That’s all we can do,” said Mingus English and social studies teacher Chris Furry at the anti-consolidation booth at the fair. “I’d be somewhat upset if voters voted based on misinformation and only found out it was misinformation after the fact.”
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551, or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
