Arizona's new budget provides stability for Dysart, but key challenges remain

Lisa Everett

Submitted photo/Lisa Everett

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OPINION — As Gov. Katie Hobbs signs Arizona's fiscal year 2027 budget into law, Dysart Unified School District enters the new school year with something educators, parents and taxpayers all value: Stability.

After years of uncertainty and concerns about potential funding cuts, this year's budget largely preserves existing K-12 funding formulas and avoids major reductions to public education. For a district experiencing continued growth, that stability is welcome news.

Dysart serves approximately 24,000 students across Surprise, El Mirage, Youngtown and portions of northwest Maricopa County. Despite rapid growth, the district has maintained its reputation as one of Arizona's highest-performing school districts, with all four traditional high schools earning A ratings.

The new budget preserves the core funding that districts rely upon to educate students, transport children safely, provide special-education services and support teachers and staff. While lawmakers did not provide a significant increase in spending, they avoided the deep cuts many feared. That predictability allows school districts to focus on students rather than financial uncertainty.

At the same time, stability should not be confused with abundance. Dysart still needs funding for buses.

Like districts throughout Arizona, Dysart continues to face rising transportation costs, maintenance expenses, and challenges recruiting and retaining quality teachers. Continued residential growth in northern Surprise will place additional demands on classrooms and facilities.

The budget also preserves Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account program, ensuring that families will continue to have choices. Strong public schools and school choice can coexist, and Arizona families benefit when parents have options.

Still, larger issues remain. Long-term education funding, renewal of Proposition 123, facility funding and teacher shortages will continue to be debated.

For now, however, the FY 2027 budget gives Dysart something invaluable: Predictability. That stability allows district leaders, teachers and families to focus on what matters most: preparing students for success.

Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.