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{{TOCnestright}} '''The School District Consolidation Act''' would consolidate 76 of Arizona's 227 school districts. Those 76 districts would become 27 K-12 school districts in order to  save money and consolidate resources.  <ref name="AZCentral">[http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/ballot/articles/2008/07/05/20080705initiatives-ONL.html ''AZ Central'': "Basic Primer: Measures on the 2008 ballot," July 5, 2008]</ref>

==Supporters==

The Arizona School District Redistricting Commission was created by the legislature in 2005.  It met over a period of three years, ultimately putting forward the specific unification proposals that voters in the affected school districts will vote on in November.<ref name="AZCentral"/>

A group supporting the unification measures is the Parent Unification Committee.

<blockquote>"I don't support unification because it saves tax dollars or creates efficiencies; I support it because it is better for kids, period." Richard Foreman, director of the Parent Unification Committee.<ref name="AZCapitol">[http://www.azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?id=9046 ''Arizona Capitol Times'': "Arizona could face 11 ballot measures," July 9, 2008]</ref> </blockquote>

==Opponents==

The Arizona Education Association is opposing this measure.  John Wright, president of the AEA said, "There are too many questions that are unanswered - questions about the tax rates and the salaries. The commission's answer was the new school board will have to decide that. That is an unfortunate response."<ref name="AZCapitol"/></blockquote> 

A number of individual opposing organizations have sprung up in districts, especially elementary school districts, that would be folded into larger, consolidated districts if the measures pass.

==Status==

Voters throughout the state who live in school districts where consolidation proposals have been made will have the opportunity to vote on the specific proposal that affects their school district.

==External links==

===Basic information===

* [http://www.ade.az.gov/sdrc/ Arizona School District Redistricting Commission]
* [http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/schools/articles/2008/09/29/20080929unifytax0929box2.html Unification proposals]
* [http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/schools/articles/2008/09/29/20080929unifytax0929box1.html School district unification groups]
* [http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2008/09/28/20080928unifytax0929.html Unification could mean tax boost for 15 districts]
* [http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/schools/articles/2008/10/06/20081006unifyrural1006.html Rural voters wary about unification]

===Supporters===

* [http://www.yesonthequestion.com Yes on the Question].  This website supports consolidation of the 34 school districts in Maricopa County affected by unification. 

===Opponents===

* [http://www.arizonaea.org/ Arizona Education Association]
* [http://www.preservemadison.org Preserve Madison]
* [http://www.preservingphoenixschooldistricts.org Preserve Phoenix School Districts]
* [http://www.saveschoolsnow.org Save Schools Now], for preserving Glendale Union, Washington and Glendale elementary school districts.
* [http://www.notomegadistricts.org No to Mega Districts], for preserving Agua Fria Union, Litchfield and Avondale elementary school districts.
* [http://www.preservekyrene.org Preserve Kyrene], for preserving Kyrene Elementary School District.

==References==

<references/>


{{Arizona}}

[[Category:education, Arizona]]
[[Category:Arizona 2008 ballot measures]]