AZ school districts have empty space to accommodate 630,000 additional students with the annual cost to maintain at a $1b, bought over 3,000 new vehicles even while district bus ridership dropped 45% Oh and 49% of AZ district students scored on the 2024 4th grade reading NAEP.

Arizona’s district schools are losing students fast—but they’re still hoarding buildings like it’s 1995. 📉 47,500 fewer students since 2019 🏫 $12.2 BILLION in unused space 📈 Capital spending UP 67% The system is shrinking. The waste is growing. And they want to blame ESA

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Ask your local school board members about this!

This is stunning. We constantly talk about education funding in Arizona. A worthy discussion. But we are facing a sharp decline in student enrollment. Yet we continue to spend money on buildings and other stuff, instead of on teachers.

Is another TUSD bond the right answer? Perhaps some real estate should be sold.

🚨 AZ Taxpayers are spending $1 BILLION in maintenance a year on empty stuff! Will 12 News report on this, or are they too focused attacked kids on ESAs? Incredible what Common Sense Institute Arizona has uncovered: commonsenseinstituteus.org/arizona/resear…

Arizona spent $8.9 billion building 499 new school facilities over the last 5 years—a 67% increase in capital spending. During that same period, district enrollment dropped by 47,500 students, and nearly 40% of new kindergarteners chose non-district options. Learn more in CSI's

Arizona school districts are sitting on more than $20 billion in cash reserves & buildings they don’t need while student achievement craters. A new report from Common Sense Institute Arizona reveals the shocking scope of waste plaguing AZ’s district school system. 👇

“The district expanded its number of schools until its enrollment peak in the 2000-01 school year, when it had roughly 20,000 students. Now, Kyrene serves a roughly 40% smaller student population at 12,000 students, but has the same number of schools.”

This comprehensive report looks at shifting demographics, school choice, resources, funding, and spending to show the exodus from AZ public schools. Yet, CFSD families are fleeing faster than the state average.

🚌 Despite a 45% drop in eligible student bus riders, Arizona school districts bought 3,098 new vehicles—and transportation spending climbed to $561.2 million per year. CSI Arizona’s new report reveals the costly mismatch between spending and student needs →

🚨 Arizona’s district schools now own 148.6 million square feet of property—making them the fifth-largest private landholder in the state. That’s the same space as: 🏈 2.6 NFL stadiums 🏢 632 office buildings 🏠 2,246 homes for 5,615 Arizonans As enrollment declines, it’s time

After peaking back in 2008, district school enrollment declined another 5% after 2020. A the same time, gross square footage rose 3%, capital spending rose 67%, and student capacity increased 2%. Get all the facts by reading CSI's latest report: bit.ly/3J8rQcH Read

Arizona’s public district schools hold 148.6 million square feet of property—equivalent to 2.6 NFL stadiums or space for 2,246 homes—making them the state’s fifth-largest landowner. Meanwhile, many top-performing schools lack space, highlighting the urgent need to modernize how

Arizona school districts have unused space. Selling it could generate $12.2B, or removing upkeep costs could save $1B annually - half of reported capital expenses. Read the full report: bit.ly/4m7Vhdw Read the op-ed by Jason Bedrick and Matthew Ladner:

The manufacturing sector continues to decline, losing 1,100 jobs in July (−0.6%) and 3,100 jobs year-over-year (−1.6%). Learn more about the latest labor market trends in CSI's full analysis: bit.ly/3HjXZh1

Arizona lost 4,900 nonfarm jobs in July on a seasonally adjusted basis (−0.15%), marking the third consecutive month of job losses. Read more: bit.ly/3HjXZh1

According to CSI’s latest analysis of BLS data, Arizona ranks worst in the nation for labor market performance since April—losing 23,400 non-farm jobs, the largest total decline and biggest percentage drop of any state or D.C. Explore the full report ➡️ bit.ly/3HjXZh1