Opinion: Investing in Pima County’s future means investing in our people

As Pima County School Superintendent, I believe one of our most important responsibilities is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and build a successful future. But education does not happen in isolation. Students thrive when families are supported, communities are safe, and people have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

That is why I support Proposition 425.

Every day, our schools see the connection between the strength of our communities and the success of our students. Children benefit when they have safe places to learn and play, access to meaningful after-school opportunities, and families who can find good jobs and build stable lives. They benefit when young people can envision a future filled with opportunity, whether that means attending college, completing a technical training program, entering an apprenticeship, or moving directly into a rewarding career.

These outcomes require more than strong schools alone. They require a community that works together.

Proposition 425 would allow Pima County to make fuller use of existing revenue by updating an expenditure-limit formula established nearly half a century ago. The measure would help the county respond to today’s needs by supporting investments in areas such as workforce training and apprenticeships, after-school programs, public safety, infrastructure, and services that help seniors remain healthy and independent.

These are not separate priorities. They are interconnected pieces of a healthy, thriving community.

When students have access to constructive after-school activities, they have more opportunities to explore their interests, develop their talents, and connect with caring adults. When young people can access workforce training and apprenticeships, they can begin building skills that translate into meaningful careers. When roads and public infrastructure are reliable, families and employers can better connect with schools, jobs and essential services. And when older adults can remain healthy and independent, families can better balance their responsibilities at home and at work.

As an education leader, I see the value of thinking about the whole child and the whole community. A student’s potential should never be defined by the circumstances into which they are born. We should be working together to remove barriers, expand opportunities and create an environment where every child has a fair chance to succeed.

Proposition 425 is an opportunity to help advance that shared responsibility.

It is also important to understand what this measure does ... and what it does not do. Proposition 425 does not raise taxes. It updates a formula governing county expenditures so that existing resources can be used more effectively to meet contemporary needs. Voters deserve a thoughtful conversation about how public resources are used, and I believe this measure provides an opportunity to consider how our county can better support its residents, workforce and long-term economic vitality.

Of course, no single proposition will solve every challenge facing our community. We must continue to advocate for strong public schools, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and policies that put students and families first. Supporting Proposition 425 does not change those commitments. Rather, it reflects the understanding that educational opportunity is strengthened when the broader community is strong.

Pima County’s future depends on the opportunities we create today. Our children deserve communities where they can learn and dream. Our families deserve the support and stability to build better lives. Our workers deserve pathways to new skills and good-paying jobs. And our employers deserve a community that attracts talent, encourages investment and gives people reasons to stay.

As voters consider Proposition 425, I encourage them to look beyond a budget formula and consider what is at stake: our ability to respond to the needs of the people who call Pima County home.

I urge voters to vote yes on Proposition 425. It is an investment in stronger families, expanded opportunity, a skilled workforce, and a more prosperous future for our entire community.

When we invest in people, we invest in our children. And when we invest in our children, we invest in the future of Pima County.