Mesa schools superintendent to teachers: 'A walkout could mean loss of public support'

Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Michael Cowan cautioned educators against walking out, saying "a walkout could mean a loss of public support" in an email to teachers Monday.

Teachers across the state are expected to vote this week on whether to walkout in efforts to increase state education funding beyond what Gov. Doug Ducey proposed Thursday.

Cowan, who leads Arizona's largest district of 64,000 students, lays out how the governor's proposed education funding plan might benefit the district.

"Casting a vote of this magnitude is difficult at best. Knowing where we've been, what has and hasn't been offered, and the impact of a walkout on our community need to be considered," he writes.

Cowan said in an interview with The Arizona Republic that the email was not meant to discourage a walkout, but to offer a word of caution to teachers as they consider one.

"I would caution people of making an emotional response without make sure they’re aware of all the facts of what a walkout means, of what a closed school means," he said.

It's unclear whether the email marks a shift in the tide of support for teachers from district leaders. Mesa Governing Board President Ben Smith said in a text message that he was "frustrated by the tone of the message" from Cowan.

Smith said he remains supportive of further action from the #RedForEd movement, though as a board member he said he can't condone a walkout.

"I will stand by our educators regardless of what they decide to do," he wrote in a text message.

RELATED: Mesa, Tucson school boards publicly support #RedForEd movement

Teachers consider statewide walkout

Just one week ago, Cowan and Mesa's school board passed a letter of support to educators in the #RedForEd movement in a packed meeting to cheers from supporters.

But a lot can change in a week.

After statewide walk-ins were held in more than 1,000 schools last week, Ducey proposed a 20 percent pay increase for teachers by 2020. Funding details continue to emerge, and the plan still requires a vote of the Legislature.

RELATED: #RedForEd organizers: Arizona teachers will vote on walkout

Many leaders of the #RedForEd movement are skeptical of the proposal. Organizers with Arizona Educators United are holding a vote Tuesday through Thursday to determine whether they will walk out for more education funding.

Mesa's union leaders will count ballots Thursday after school at its six main high schools. Joshua Buckley, the head of Mesa's teacher union, said the superintendent's email may sway the teachers still on the fence.

"We'll see what effect Cowan’s email has, I think it will give some people some pause," he said.

Like many union leaders, Buckley is still unsure about how Ducey's funding proposal will affect teacher and classified staff pay. A walkout, he said, after multiple rallies at the capitol and statewide walk-ins, "is all we have left to bargain with."

Jenny Richardson, another Mesa school board member, said she didn't think Cowan's email was discouraging teachers from walking out, but offered a word of caution to educators.

"I don’t want anyone on either side to do anything to alienate another side," she said. "I want this conversation to continue because it's what's best for education in Arizona and in Mesa."

RELATED: With walk-ins, Arizona teachers gauge support for walkouts, closing schools

Who will see Ducey's education funds?

The state Legislature has not approved the governor's proposal yet and it's still unclear exactly how the proposed funding would trickle down to districts and teachers.

Cowan's email, however, tries to answer lingering teacher questions over where the money would go in Mesa. He calls Ducey's plan, "the most progressive allocation of education dollars that many of us have seen during our careers in Arizona."

RELATED: Ducey's teacher pay plan relies on sunny economic forecast

Cowan also attended the governor's announcement last Thursday.

The superintendent notes that Ducey's proposal does not address compensation for other district staff. However, he says in the email that the flexibility will allow some additional assistance to go to support staff.

Buckley said that while he trusts Cowan's vision for the additional funding, plans are less clear for other districts in the state.

"We can trust Dr. Cowan to do the right thing, and work with us on the funding he gets," he said. "We’ve always had a process in place in Mesa to get us educators at the table to help make those decisions, but that’s not the same for every district across the state."

This is Cowan's last school year as Mesa's superintendent. He is retiring to lead a three-year mission for his church and will be replaced by Ember Conley, who leads the Park City School District in Mesa.

Buckley said he is scheduled to meet with the new superintendent in two weeks. She has indicated in recent interview with The Arizona Republic that she supports teachers in the #RedForEd movement.

RELATED: Mesa school board to offer Utah educator Ember Conley superintendent position

Letter reveals specific district plans for walkout

Cowan's letter includes a detailed plan for the district, which has about 80 schools, if teachers approve a walkout.

The plan notes:

Certified employees, like teachers, would continue to get paid through a walkout but teachers wouldn't get additional compensation in making up missed days.

Short-term and hourly employees like custodial workers, cafeteria staff, bus drivers and instructional aides would not be paid if schools close. They would be paid during make-up days, though.

All district schools would be closed to students and families.

All missed school days would need to be made up by the end of the year.

Extracurricular activities excluding varsity-level sports would be cancelled.

Graduation and prom would still be held.

Could a walkout put district ballot measures in jeopardy?

Mesa's school board wants voters to approve a 15-percent override on the ballot this November, according to Cowan's email. If approved, it would be a 5 percent increase from the current voter-approved override, which provides about $34 million annually to the school district for maintenance and operations.

The increase would generate an additional $17 million to the district, which officials have said is desperately needed for classified staff as Arizona's minimum wage increases because of Proposition 206.

The school board also is considering a $230 million bond request on the November ballot, to upgrade technology and replace 100 buses without air conditioning, according to district documents. The bond would not increase property tax rates.

Cowan's email raises concern over community support for bond and override measures.

READ MORE:

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"We have never lost a bond or override election," he wrote. "We need to be mindful of that support as decisions are made."

He added, in an interview with The Republic, that the inconvenience of a school closure could hurt the district's relationship with the community.

"When a school has to close, it has a significant impact on the school and their families and it inconveniences some," he said. "We don’t want that challenge to be targeted back to Mesa Public Schools."

Buckley realizes ongoing #RedForEd actions and Ducey's proposal puts superintendents in a difficult situation.

"I can imagine that superintendents in general see this as money for schools and it's hard to say no if you're the leader of a school district to money for schools," he said.

Reach reporter Lily Altavena at laltavena@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8927. Follow her on Twitter: @lilyalta.

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