Douglas Doubts Timing Of Ducey School Finance Overhaul Plan

Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2015 - 10:27am

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Arizona's top education official has serious doubts about Gov. Doug Ducey's timeline for overhauling the state's complex school financing formulas.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas said Tuesday that she supports revamping the cumbersome funding formulas. But she says Ducey's wish to come up with a plan by the end of the year is far too ambitious.

Douglas said she worries a rush to overhaul the financing formulas will have unintended consequences.

Ducey last month announced the members of his Classrooms First Initiative Council, which is charged with coming up with an interim plan by September and a final proposal by December. The Legislature would have to change state law to enact the plan.

Douglas is on the council, as are many professional educators.