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Arizona schools could lose $1.2 billion in spending limits

Arizona schools are looking at the possibility of their spending being cuts of 17%. That equates to about $1.2 billion, or about 1,300 per student. 

Even though schools will be able to collect tax dollars, they won’t be able to spend the money they bring in. 

Senate President Karen Fann says these spending limits are only going to make things worse for schools. 

"The intention is never to do these kind of draconian cuts because, as we know right now, many of the schools are struggling already with the COVID issues. We don't need to pile more on to them right now," Fann said. 

The only way to prevent the fiscal problems would be if the Legislature takes action and approves a new spending limit for schools, with Gov. Doug Ducey’s signature.

If not, districts may not be able to pay teachers they hired.

Greg Hahne started as a news intern at KJZZ in 2020 and returned as a field correspondent in 2021. He learned his love for radio by joining Arizona State University's Blaze Radio, where he worked on the production team.