LAWMAKERS WALK OUT OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

PHOENIX, March 27 – Several West Valley lawmakers walked into a hostile crowd last night when they attended the Peoria Unified School District governing board meeting to discuss the recently passed state budget. The Senate press release announcing the legislators’ attendance noted that the budget “increases funding to PUSD.” Sen. Debbie Lesko began the parade of lawmakers – which also included Rep. Paul Boyer, Rep. Rick Gray, Rep. Anthony Kern and Rep. Tony Rivero – by noting that all of her kids attended PUSD schools, and thanking the school board members for the difficult job they have. She then launched into a speech about how the school district’s analysis of the budget has been wrong.  After all the lawmakers wrapped up their quick speeches, PUSD superintendent Dr. Denton Santarelli said he was optimistic that, after this meeting, relations would improve with the Legislature. “I think what I’ve heard from all of you is a pledge that we won’t be here next year. That there will be a plan put forth. Because, since 2009, we’ve been here year after year after year having the same conversation, but I have yet to hear a plan,” he said. But when lawmakers got up to leave the room, the crowd went wild. Attendees began screaming that the lawmakers should stay and listen to their constituents, but as the lawmakers kept walking off, they received a round of boos and people started calling them out for running away.