For immediate release: February 4, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
 

Horne urges passage of bill to get harmful junk food out of schools

Lawmakers considering measure to address health problems

PHOENIX – State schools chief Tom Horne is throwing his support behind a bill that stops schools from providing harmful foods on campus amid growing concerns about ingredients that potentially cause significant health risks for children.

Horne was joined by state lawmakers Rep. Leo Biasiucci, Education Committee Chairman Rep. Matt Gress and Sen. Janae Shamp, a Registered Nurse. Also voicing their support are Chris Chavez, the Turning Point USA Action Director of Coalitions, Diana Diaz Harrison of Arizona Autism Schools, Julie Hinman, Owner, SOAL Wellness, U.S. military veteran Brian Sikma, and actor / health food advocate Rob Schneider.

Rep. Biasiucci is sponsoring HB 2164, a bill that would prohibit public schools from serving or selling food containing ingredients shown in scientific studies to be harmful, such as potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, yellow dyes 5 and 6, blue dyes 1 and 2, red dyes 3 and 40 and green dye 3.

Horne said, “The time has come to eliminate harmful foods from public schools and vending machines. Synthetic food dyes are associated with behavioral issues which then affect a child's ability to perform academically and engage socially.

He added, “There are approximately 10,000 ingredients approved for use in the U.S. versus about 400 in Europe, and these issues need to be addressed. Replacing foods that contain these ingredients and synthetic dye with those that are minimally processed is achievable. Manufacturers have already worked over the past few years to remove trans-fat and reduce sodium to meet USDA requirements. ADE also administers the ‘Try it Local’ program which provides additional reimbursement to school nutrition program operators who purchase locally grown, minimally processed foods.

He concluded, “This is a familiar crusade for me. In 2006, I was successful in getting sugared sodas out of schools, and I am just as enthusiastic about seeing this effort succeed. I urge passage of this bill, and the governor should sign it.”

Rep. Biasiucci noted, “Our kids deserve better than artificial dyes and cheap fillers in their lunches. If we’re providing meals at school, they should be real, nutritious food—not the kind of processed junk that’s banned in other countries. This bill puts the health of Arizona’s children first, plain and simple.”

Sen. Janae Shamp added, “What we feed our kids matters. Schools shouldn’t be serving ultra-processed, chemically engineered, junk food. I’m proud to back HB2164 because Arizona’s children deserve better. And this is just the beginning—I’m excited to launch the Make America Healthy Caucus with Rep. Biasiucci to start making real change. Let’s Make Arizona Healthy Again!”

Chris Chavez of Turning Point USA noted, “Turning Point Action's Healthy Americans Coalition unites parents and other concerned citizens to improve their communities’ health. Yet, Arizona’s students are being fed harmful, chemical-laden foods, fueling obesity and diabetes. The Arizona Healthy Schools Act offers them a chance at a healthier future.”

Actor and health food advocate Rob Schneider explained, “The needs of the most precious members of our community, our children, must come first. We can no longer allow school lunches to be junk foods filled with toxic chemicals, unhealthy additives, dyes and preservatives. Our kids deserve better! I look forward to working with Representative Leo Biasiucci and the wonderful Chef’s in Arizona to bring healthy organic real food to our state school’s lunch programs!”

Diana Diaz-Harrison, Founder & Executive Director, Arizona Autism Charter Schools said, “As the founder of Arizona Autism Charter Schools, I have witnessed firsthand how ultra-processed foods impact children’s behavior, attention span, and overall health—including co-occurring conditions like gut issues and seizures. Our schools' anecdotal data aligns with national data showing that at least 40% of students make significant gains simply by improving their diets and eliminating these foods. I’m also an autism mom, and I’ve experienced this transformation personally. By removing ultra-processed foods from my son’s diet, we’ve minimized his seizures, improved his health, and helped him become more engaged in school. Eliminating ultra-processed foods from school lunches is a critical step toward giving all children the best chance to thrive.”

U.S. military veteran Brian Sikma added, “Health and fitness are matters of national security. Too many young Americans are ineligible for public service in our nation’s military as a result of medical issues ranging from obesity to mental health. Better, healthier food choices will enable our next generation to pursue their dreams, secure our nation, and continue to write the next great chapter of the American story.”

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For immediate release: January 31, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
 

Horne: Teacher pay funds headed to Isaac district today

Applauds teachers, Treasurer Allen

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has announced that sufficient funding to cover payroll for teachers in the Isaac Elementary School District has been sent from the Maricopa County Treasurer to the district today.

Horne said, “The crisis in the Isaac district is over and the teachers are getting paid. I want to applaud them for their patience and heroism in continuing to do their jobs this week. I also want to thank County Treasurer John Allen for his statesmanship.”

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The School District Employee Report (SDER) On-Line Application will open on 02/01/2025 for employee data revisions. You can access this application through ADE Connect.

If there are any revisions that need to be made to your SDER data, you can log in to ADEConnect SDER Application. The deadline to submit final revisions is 03/01/2025, by the end of the day.
It is important to note that if a district's data is not submitted and error-free, it will not be included in the TEI calculation. Final TEI reports will be available on or before 03/01/2025.

For additional details about the submission of SDER data, please refer to the SDER manual.

Please submit a HelpDesk ticket if you need assistance with submitting your SDER data.
 
Note: Charter schools should not submit staff data or SDER data.
 

DATA MANAGEMENT ALERT    

Special Education Data Updates Webinar: Wednesday, February 19, 2025 

The Exceptional Student Services Data Management team will host the next live Special Education Data Updates webinar on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. This session will cover a variety of data topics that will include:    

• Reminders  

• Trending topics  

• Top Three Integrity Errors 

• Q&A     

 Please register by clicking this link. Registration is required to attend. If you have any questions, please email the ESS Data Management inbox.  

For immediate release: January 29, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
 

Horne statement on federal grants pause

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has issued the following statement regarding the federal grants pause that was announced today by the Trump Administration.

In a letter that went out to all federal agencies, the Office of Management and Budget called for a two-week pause on all federal grants so that political staff at each agency could ensure that the programs are consistent with administration priorities and bans on requirements for diversity, equity, and inclusion and the pause on foreign aid.

Horne stated, “We have received notice from the U.S. Department of Education indicating that this pause does not affect funding for Title I economically disadvantaged schools, special education funding or other formula grants. Nevertheless, because there are many details yet to be clarified, as a contingency I have directed this department to draw down the funds needed during the two-week period covered by the federal pause. Like all state education agencies throughout the country, we are expecting further details from the federal government on the implications of this pause so we can respond accordingly.”

He added, “This pause does not affect the $6 million to be allocated to the Isaac Elementary District. Our department is already processing those funds.”

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For immediate release: January 27, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
 

Isaac district update: Horne calls on legislature to pass emergency bill requiring Maricopa County to pass through dollars for payroll

Remarks made at end of State Board meeting today

PHOENIX – State schools chief Tom Horne is urging the legislature to pass an emergency bill to ensure employees of the financially troubled Isaac Elementary School District get paid this week.

Horne made an updated statement to the State Board of Education regarding the release of approximately $6 million in previously reverted Covid relief funds earmarked for the district.

As part of his update Horne noted that since the federal funds were just released today and must be processed, it is not sufficient time to process for tomorrow’s district payroll. In any case, the County has so far declined to commit to making payroll payments. Horne is urging state lawmakers to act immediately to pass emergency legislation to instruct the County to use advanced payments of basic state aid for payroll purposes.

Horne stated, “The release of the federal dollars won’t come in time to make tomorrow’s payroll, but the legislature is meeting to come up with an emergency bill. That bill would instruct the County to advance basic state aid funds and use them for salaries. The County has indicated they will use any funds to pay off debts and not for salaries, which means the whole district would collapse and 5,000 students would not get the education to which they are entitled. If the legislature orders the County to pay salaries, they will have to. If that does pass on an emergency basis, we will immediately send an advance on our basic state aid to the County to pay payroll.”

He added, “In the long run, the situation is good because they have a lot of property and buildings that they can sell, so we just need to get through this emergency. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the legislation would pass, and the Governor will sign it today.”

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BUDG-25 reports for all school districts have been posted to the School Finance website.  FY 2025 January BUDG-25 reports have been calculated using the FY 2025 January BSA-55 information.

• All school district budget and payment reports are available on the School Finance website.

Please contact the Budget Team ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Thank you!

For immediate release: January 27, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
 

Horne: Emergency still exists, announces federal dollars freed up to assist Isaac district

Funding buys time for lawmakers to consider more options

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne says the U.S. Department of Education has released previously-reverted Covid relief funds earmarked for the Isaac Elementary School District, making approximately $6 million available to the financially-troubled district, though he cautions that Maricopa County and state lawmakers must continue to work on solving the district’s long-term financial issues. He adds the county should ensure these funds are disbursed as soon as possible since they were originally allocated to that district.

Horne stated, “I am very pleased that the U.S. Department of Education has honored the request made several weeks ago by my department to release federal Covid relief funds that the Isaac district had previously reverted to the federal government. Once the county disburses this money, the district will be able to make use of approximately $6 million dollars, which will grant them more time to work out the significant financial issues they face.”

Horne also noted, “As good as this news is, there is much more to be done. I urge the state legislature to continue working on other solutions that will help the district climb out of this financial situation. Also, the district has properties that can be sold which means any advance on funds by Maricopa County can eventually be repaid.”

Processing the federal money will take several days after which time the department will submit the funds to Maricopa County authorities, as proscribed by state law, for disbursement to the Isaac district.

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For immediate release: January 23, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
 

HORNE ANNOUNCES FULLY-FUNDED MENTAL TELEHEALTH PROGRAM AVAILABLE IN RURAL ARIZONA COUNTIES

Partnership between ADE and mental health provider Cartwheel improves school safety

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has announced a new partnership with mental health care provider Cartwheel, to bring students and families in Arizona’s rural counties rapid access to mental health support using telehealth.

Horne said, “Empowering parents is a cornerstone of my administration. This partnership with Cartwheel will help ensure that students in rural areas who wish to speak with counselors can do so with the appropriate permission and supervision of their parents. The program will provide a convenient telehealth option to many families who may have otherwise had difficulty in securing the timely mental health support they desire for their children.”  

The program is in response to the increasing need for mental support in Arizona and across the country. Phoenix Children’s experts have said that almost 90% of Arizona’s communities have a shortage of mental health providers, placing the state in the bottom third of the United States. Additionally, a 2021 study by the Arizona Department of Health Services showed more than one third of Arizona teens reported having poor mental health. 

Services will be offered to all school districts and charter schools in Arizona’s 13 rural counties: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, and Yuma. There are approximately 250 school districts and charter schools and 200,000 students in these counties. 

The telehealth program can help address a range of common mental health conditions, from anxiety, depression, and executive functioning challenges to loss and grief, stress, sleep issues, technology use, trauma, and more. 

The program is voluntary, with parental consent required, and the family is involved throughout care. Students will typically receive 2 to 6 months of weekly sessions, with longer-term care available. Cartwheel will bill sessions to insurance and accept all insurance plans, including commercial, Medicaid, and Tricare for military families. Funding for uninsured students is also available, through the Cartwheel contract with ADE.

Dr. Juliana Chen, child and adolescent psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at Cartwheel said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Arizona Department of Education to provide schools, students, and families across Arizona with timely, evidence-based mental health support and promote school safety. Having served hundreds of school districts in 10 states across the country, we are excited to support the mental health of students in Arizona so that they can reach their full potential in school.”

Cheryl Mango-Paget, Superintendent of Schools for the Coconino County Education Service Agency added, "With a critical shortage of counselors and social workers in Arizona, particularly in rural and tribal areas, we must embrace innovative solutions to address the growing mental health needs of students and the systemic challenges that contribute to these disparities. Telehealth services, like those provided by Cartwheel, offer a vital bridge, delivering accessible and timely mental health support to schools. By complementing existing resources, these services ensure that students in underserved communities receive the comprehensive care they need to thrive both academically and emotionally."

Stacy Anderson, PsyD, MC, NCC, School Psychologist in Arizona and representative from the Arizona Association of School Psychologists stated, “Having more access to mental wellness services is both needed and critical to help families and help their children. This allows us to offer opportunities for students to really focus on learning and applying their knowledge without having all these other burdens that really stop them from living their lives.” 

Interested districts and charter schools can sign up by visiting www.cartwheel.org/arizona

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The memo below was initially sent out on November 1, 2024.

Please review the attached memo for important information on determining the primary need when reporting preschool severe delay (PSD), developmental delay (DD), multiple disabilities (MD), or multiple disabilities - severe sensory impairment (MDSSI).