It is the mission of SOSAz to develop broader, deeper support for K-12 public education by actively supporting of K-12 public education in the Washington Elementary (WESD), Glendale Elementary (GESD) & Glendale Union High School (GUHSD) districts.

SOSAz is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization with no formal infrastructure, no staff, and no stable financial support. For 15 years, volunteers have strived to make public education a top priority, working with everyone who believes the successful education of every child benefits us all. Please contact us at info@supportourschoolsaz.org.

Premise

1. Public education should be the top priority for Arizona
2. As Arizonans, we must figure out how to successfully educate every child in Arizona

SOSAz Effort

1. Offer a unique opportunity for all constituents; elected official, candidate, educator, business owner, parent, senior citizen, college student & community member, to come together on equal footing for authentic conversation focused on public education
2. Work proactively, sometimes with facilitated conversation and guided practices towards meaningful action in support of public education

Goal

1. Build on the consensus conclusions of the February 2010 Community Conversations held February 22nd & 23rd at Calvary Community Church
2. Communicate the priorities agreed upon at the April 12th Community Conversation between constituents and their legislators and candidates held at ASU at the West Campus - Civic Responsibility, Strategic Plan, & Healthy Budget
3. Replace current standard operating procedure of reactive plans and annual budget cuts affecting public education with a proactive strategic plan that supports a stable public education system which can be sustained long-term
4. Building the foundation for a stable public education system
5. Foster productive relationships between citizens and their elected officials

Community Conclusions

1. For the state to be changed, citizens need to change; so each of us are consistently thinking and acting with a sense of civic responsibility.
2. The state’s trend supporting public education reflects a roller coaster ride.
3. Administrators annually face vacillating funding yet, are expected to maintain highly-qualified staff and build exemplary programs.
4. Educators are held responsible for mandates and are accountable to outcomes they truly have no control over.
5. Community members are inconsistently faced with tax increases in the form of overrides and bonds to supplement state funding.
6. Parents are never sure what their public school will look like from year to year.
7. The current model for state funding of public education needs to be replaced with a proactive strategic plan that supports a stable public education system which can be sustained long-term.
8. Facing the largest state deficit in its history, Arizona is on the brink of devastating its citizenry’s contributions and creating a mass exodus of business.
9. A healthy state budget is necessary if, as a state, we are of a high enough caliber that people wish to reside in Arizona and businesses look to establish in Arizona.

Advocating for public education

1. Casting an informed vote in every election
2. Being an involved constituent in the political process
3. Making community involvement a part of your life
4. A sense of civic responsible is the cornerstone of change

The SOSAz decision-making process is comprised of an advisory council of superintendents and governing board members from the Glendale Elementary, Washington Elementary and Glendale Union High school districts. An executive board of parents, community members, school principals and administrative staff share decision-making responsibilities.