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<img src="https://run.imgix.net/c314bcfa-3d76-4568-9fd4-4131b532a690/895a21bc-d683-4a5b-a4b2-176c8c89c7c9/895a21bc-d683-4a5b-a4b2-176c8c89c7c9.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C8192%2C5464&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="50" variant="framed">Arizona’s public schools are under attack, and Brett Newby is leading the fight to save them. From stopping the reckless ESA voucher expansion to fully funding classrooms and paying teachers what they deserve, Brett is the champion our kids need.But Brett can’t do it alone. This campaign is fueled by people like you, parents, educators, and neighbors who believe every child deserves a strong public education. When you volunteer, you’re not just helping a campaign, you’re helping protect the future of Arizona’s schools.Knock doors. Make calls. Share Brett’s vision. Together, we can elect a leader who will stand up to extremists and put our students first.👉 Sign up now and be part of the movement to fully fund Arizona’s public schools.

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<h2 style="text-align: center">My name is Brett Newby, and I am running to be Arizona's next Superintendent of Public Instruction because our children deserve better.</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/c314bcfa-3d76-4568-9fd4-4131b532a690/fa8920e2-2277-4112-a3a7-f2105742d0ba/fa8920e2-2277-4112-a3a7-f2105742d0ba.heic?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C363%2C2268%2C3184&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="25" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">Brett Newby is a proud son, brother, husband, father, lifelong coach, educator, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst running for Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2026. His life has been defined by one mission: fighting for Arizona’s children, empowering educators, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with parents to defend and strengthen our public schools.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/c314bcfa-3d76-4568-9fd4-4131b532a690/71b8b62a-8955-4e52-b2fd-8c93e489c8c1/71b8b62a-8955-4e52-b2fd-8c93e489c8c1.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C8192%2C5464&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">Born to blue-collar, union parents, Brett learned early the values of hard work, fairness, and courage to stand up for what’s right. Those lessons have fueled his life’s work, over a decade dedicated to serving hundreds of children with special needs, ensuring every student has the resources and opportunities they deserve.With a Master’s in Special Education and advanced training from top institutions, Brett brings unmatched expertise in education, behavioral science, and leadership. As a professor and practicing behavior analyst, he has trained and inspired educators statewide, built inclusive classrooms, and developed transformative interventions for students with autism and developmental disabilities.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/c314bcfa-3d76-4568-9fd4-4131b532a690/710c2d8b-fad4-48e4-80c4-ec99acb41f83/710c2d8b-fad4-48e4-80c4-ec99acb41f83.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=414%2C0%2C7334%2C5464&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">For more than 20 years, Brett has also been a dedicated coach, shaping young athletes into resilient, confident leaders, a reflection of the same approach he takes in education: developing character, building teamwork, and unlocking every child’s potential.This race is about more than politics, it’s about the future of every child in Arizona. It will determine whether our schools are fully funded or stripped bare, whether educators are respected or ignored, and whether unchecked ESA expansion continues to drain resources from classrooms.Brett Newby isn’t a career politician; he’s a servant-leader with the heart of a coach, the mind of a scientist, and the passion of a father who knows Arizona’s children deserve better.<h3>Together, we can stop the dismantling of our public schools, restore respect for educators, and build an education system where every Arizona child can dream big, succeed, and thrive.</h3>

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Stopping ESA's

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<h4>I’m running for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction to make sure every child in Arizona has access to fully funded, high-quality education, regardless of their zipcode.</h4>These are some of the top priorities our campaign is focused on.

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Fighting for Every Child, Educator, and Parent in Arizona.

Brett Newby is the son of blue-collar, union parents who instilled in him the values of hard work, fairness, and standing up for others. A product of public schools, Brett has dedicated his life to serving children and families, particularly those with special needs.

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Arizona has long valued strong, well-funded public schools as the cornerstone of opportunity for every child. Brett is the proud father of two daughters and a product of Arizona’s public schools. He credits those schools with preparing him to build a career helping children with special needs, and he wants his daughters, as well as every child in A

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Since 2022, educators, parents, and advocates have successfully pressured the legislature to override the outdated Aggregate Expenditure Limit, a relic from 1980 that threatened to slash over a billion dollars from public schools. But year-to-year overrides are no way to run a school system, and the threat of catastrophic mid-year cuts remains.<h2>Brett’s plan to permanently fix the AEL offers long-term stability and removes this arbitrary ceiling once and for all:</h2>Update the AEL to Reflect Modern Costs: The AEL is a 1980 voter‑approved cap on school spending. Every year, legislators must vote to override it or schools face cuts approaching $1.4&nbsp;billion. This cap was designed for a very different education system, before computers, intensive special education, and mandated student supports. <ul><li>Brett will introduce legislation to reset the AEL’s base year to reflect today’s costs and index it for inflation, technology, and student growth. </li></ul>This ensures the cap rises in tandem with actual expenses.Introduce Weighted Student Counts and Expand Exemptions: Arizona’s limit is based on raw student counts and a simplistic inflation adjustment. <ul><li>Brett will push for a weighted student formula within the AEL that accounts for special education, English learners, small and rural schools, and grade‑level differences. </li><li>He will also argue for exempting from the limit certain categories, federal grants, voter‑approved overrides, Prop&nbsp;301 sales‑tax funds, and emergency relief dollars. </li></ul>These funds should not count against the cap because they are intended for specific purposes and do not increase the tax burden.Put a Permanent Fix on the Ballot: Continuing to override the AEL year after year creates uncertainty for districts, which must plan for potential mid‑year cuts. <ul><li>To stabilize budgets, Brett will champion a ballot referral asking voters to permanently fix the AEL<a href="http://AELazeconcenter.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">.</a> Options include resetting the limit, creating a new spending formula, or eliminating the cap. </li><li>Brett will work with educators, economists, and community members to craft a proposal that reflects modern educational needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility.</li></ul>

Brett is determined to end the constant funding uncertainty caused by the outdated Aggregate Expenditure Limit (AEL). He’s fighting for a permanent fix so schools can plan responsibly, teachers can focus on teaching, and students aren’t left wondering if their education will face another budget cut.

Permanentaly Fixing the AEL

Arizona’s JTEDs and CTE programs have transformed lives, offering students pathways into high-paying, high-demand careers. But despite their success, these programs remain underfunded, disconnected from college systems, and inaccessible to too many rural and low-income students.<h2>Brett’s plan to expand CTE creates seamless, supported pathways from high school to the workforce, ensuring all students graduate with options and opportunities:</h2>Strengthen and Expand Joint Technical Education Districts (JTEDs): CTEDs/JTEDs provide high‑school students with hands‑on training in fields such as manufacturing, health care, and information technology. Without the Prop&nbsp;123 renewal, these programs could see funding <a href="http://cutseducationforwardarizona.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cuts</a>. <ul><li>Brett will secure dedicated, multi‑year funding for JTEDs, allowing them to plan, expand, and modernize. </li><li>He will work with the legislature to fund a fourth year of JTED programs so students can complete industry certifications and apprenticeships while still in high school.</li></ul>Integrate High School, Community College, and Industry Pathways: Brett will promote partnerships between districts, community colleges, and employers that allow students to earn dual credit for CTE courses and participate in paid apprenticeships. <ul><li>He will push for statewide articulation agreements to ensure that credits earned in high school count toward community‑college certificates and associate degrees. </li><li>He will also support transportation funding and remote‑learning infrastructure so rural students can access programs.</li></ul>Invest in Emerging Industries and Workforce Diversity: To meet Arizona’s economic needs, Brett will prioritize CTE programs in high‑growth sectors: advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, aerospace, health care, and cybersecurity. <ul><li>He will invest in state‑of‑the‑art labs and equipment, provide stipends for industry experts to teach part-time, and promote outreach to girls. </li><li>By linking CTE to real jobs, Brett’s plan will give every student a pathway to a family‑sustaining career.</li></ul>

Brett believes in preparing students for real-world success. He believes in expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that equip young people with hands-on skills, connect them to good-paying jobs, and strengthen Arizona’s workforce for the future.

Creating More Pathways for CTE

The 20×2020 agreement, which delivered a 20 percent teacher pay raise by 2020 and invested nearly $470 million in ongoing dollars for salaries, was a hard‑fought victory by educators and a testament to what organized teacher action can accomplish. But even with those raises, Arizona still ranks near the bottom for teacher pay, and our schools are being gutted by an unfettered voucher program.<h2 style="text-align: center">Brett’s plan to fully fund K‑12 education builds on past progress and tackles the structural problems starving our public schools:</h2>Restore public funds by rolling back ESA vouchers: Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program was meant to help a limited number of students with disabilities but was expanded to cover all families in 2022. The program has spiraled out of control: it is on track to cost taxpayers $1 billion this year, with roughly three‑quarters of vouchers going to children who never attended public schools. Voucher spending has already come in tens of millions of dollars over budget, contributing to a $200 million shortfall that forced the state to pay districts only 60 percent of their monthly funding. Parents have used ESA money for scuba diving lessons and grand pianos while public schools close classrooms and lay off staff. <ul><li>Brett will work with lawmakers to repeal universal eligibility, returning ESAs to their original purpose of supporting students with disabilities and other high‑needs groups. </li><li>He will cap total ESA spending, reinstate requirements that students attend public school for at least a year before receiving a voucher, and push for a means‑test to ensure that affluent families don’t drain resources meant for those who need them most.</li></ul>Index school funding to inflation and revisit the outdated finance formula: Arizona allocates about $4.2 billion of its $9.8 billion state budget to K‑12 education, but it still uses a 35‑year‑old funding formula designed before charter schools existed. This antiquated system underfunds capital needs and fails to adjust base‑level funding to keep pace with rising costs. <ul><li>Brett will champion legislation to automatically adjust the base per‑pupil amount for inflation each year so districts don’t lose purchasing power when the cost of books, buses and teacher salaries rises. </li><li>He will also convene educators, finance experts and lawmakers to craft a modern funding formula that reflects today’s educational landscape, one that accounts for charter growth, special‑education costs and the unique needs of rural and tribal communities. </li><li>As part of this overhaul, Brett will press to revise the “100‑day” average daily membership (ADM) rule used to allocate funding. Relying on student counts from the first 100 days penalizes growing districts and allows money to follow students long after they’ve transferred. Brett will explore options such as using rolling enrollment averages or multiple count dates to make funding more responsive to actual student populations.</li></ul>Protect teacher pay and learning conditions beyond 20×2020: Even after the 20×2020 raises, Arizona remained 45th or 47th in the nation for teacher pay, and educators continue to leave the profession in record numbers. <ul><li>Brett will advocate for a new statewide initiative to bring teacher salaries up to the national median and to provide cost‑of‑living adjustments. </li><li>He will push to secure long‑term funding streams, whether through expanding or renewing Proposition 301, closing tax loopholes, or dedicating a portion of state budget surpluses, to ensure that raises don’t evaporate when economic conditions change. </li><li>Recognizing that capital funding has been neglected for decades, Brett will also support a statewide school infrastructure plan to repair leaking roofs, update technology, and provide safe transportation.</li></ul>Create transparency and accountability in school finance: Taxpayers deserve to know where their money goes. <ul><li>Brett will demand a comprehensive audit of education spending, from ESA vouchers to district budgets, and will publish quarterly reports so parents and legislators can see how funds are used. </li><li>He will modernize data systems to track spending in real time and strengthen the auditing capacity of the state to root out waste and fraud. </li><li>Where the current ESA payment platform has allowed questionable expenses, Brett will open the contract to competitive bidding and require any vendor to provide granular reporting, fraud alerts, and public dashboards. By shining a light on spending and tying funding to verified student needs, Brett will build public trust and ensure that every dollar supports teaching and learning.</li></ul>Arizona’s public schools gave Brett Newby the foundation for his success, and as a father he’s committed to preserving that promise for his daughters and every child in the state. <h3>Fully funding K‑12 education isn’t just a budget line, it’s a pledge to invest in Arizona’s future by keeping money in classrooms, paying educators fairly, and modernizing how we finance our schools.</h3>

Arizona’s future depends on fully funded public schools where every child can learn, grow, and thrive. As a proud product of public education and a father of two daughters, Brett has seen how underfunding robs students of opportunities and forces teachers to do more with less. He’s running to change that.

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Brett Newby announced his candidacy for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, promising to fight for fully funded public schools, hold the ESA voucher program accountable, and restore respect for Arizona’s educators. A product of public schools and the proud son of a school bus driver and union family, Newby brings more than a decade of experience working with students with special needs, building inclusive classrooms, and training educators across the state. His campaign is grounded in a clear mission: to stop the dismantling of public education in Arizona and ensure every child, regardless of ZIP code, has the chance to thrive in a well-funded, well-run public school.Newby is running at a time of crisis for Arizona’s education system. Public schools are underfunded, teacher shortages are at a breaking point, and the ESA voucher program has exploded into a $1 billion entitlement with no meaningful oversight, diverting critical dollars away from classrooms into private institutions with zero transparency. “This isn’t just about policy, it’s personal,” said Newby. “I’ve worked with hundreds of Arizona students, families, and educators. I’ve seen kids fall through the cracks because our system is being starved of resources. I’ve seen teachers quit mid-year because they can’t survive on their salaries. And I’ve seen millions of taxpayer dollars handed out through ESA vouchers with no accountability. That has to stop.”If elected, Newby plans to lead a comprehensive effort to reverse the damage: fighting for full classroom funding, instituting common-sense ESA reforms, including audits, income caps, and reporting requirements, and increasing investment in special education, rural districts, and behavioral support services. He also vows to champion teachers by advocating for competitive salaries, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and shielding educators from political attacks. “Arizona’s public schools should be the heartbeat of our communities,” Newby said. “Instead, they’ve been turned into political battlegrounds. I’m running to change that. To lead with evidence, not ideology. And to make sure Arizona’s children and the educators who serve them come first again.”For more information, to donate, or to get involved, visit <a href="http://www.BrettNewby.com">www.BrettNewby.com</a>###

Brett Newby announced his candidacy for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, promising to fight for fully funded public schools, hold the ESA voucher program accountable, and restore respect for Arizona’s educators.

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Brett Newby Announces 2026 Campaign for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction

Arizona has long valued strong, well-funded public schools as the cornerstone of opportunity for every child. Brett is the proud father of two daughters and a product of Arizona’s public schools. He credits those schools with preparing him to build a career helping children with special needs, and he wants his daughters, as well as every child in Arizona, to have the same opportunity. The universal ESA voucher expansion threatens that future by siphoning money away from neighborhood schools. The program was originally created to help students with disabilities access services not available in public schools, but it was expanded in 2022 to make every child eligible.Today, ESA's cost Arizona taxpayers nearly a billion dollars a year and lack basic accountability, even though three‑quarters of the vouchers go to children who have never attended public school.<h2 style="text-align: center">This is Brett's Plan for ESA's:</h2>Restoring ESA Vouchers to Their Original Purpose: When Arizona launched ESAs in 2011, the program was intended to help a small population of students with disabilities access specialized educational services. Lawmakers expanded eligibility to foster children and military families before ultimately passing a universal voucher law in 2022.<ul><li>Brett will work with legislative allies to roll back the universal expansion and restore ESAs to their original intent. That means limiting vouchers to students with disabilities and other high‑need categories and reinstating public‑school attendance requirements. By narrowing eligibility, the state can ensure that resources go to children who genuinely need them while stopping the diversion of billions of dollars away from public schools.</li><li>Brett will push for legislation requiring at least 100 days of public‑school attendance before a student can apply for an ESA, and he will champion a cap on the total number of ESA participants so the program’s cost does not overwhelm the state budget.</li></ul>Auditing the Last Decade and Fixing Oversight: Recent investigations have uncovered how little oversight exists for ESA spending. Since December 2024, the Arizona Department of Education has automatically approved more than one million reimbursement requests, totaling $124 million, without reviewing anything under $2,000. Purchases have included fun passes to sports games, gym memberships, and other non‑educational items. Officials admit they don’t have enough staff to vet the roughly 90,000 accounts and that millions of dollars remain in expired accounts. Meanwhile, Department of Education figures show ESA expenses were $153 million less than awards last year, meaning unspent money sits in students’ accounts and can be used for post‑secondary education.<ul><li>Brett will demand, on day one, a full forensic audit of the ESA program covering the last decade. He will empower the Auditor General to review how every taxpayer dollar was spent, identify misuse, and recover funds sitting dormant in accounts.</li><li>Brett will also overhaul the approval process by requiring detailed receipts for all purchases and mandating manual approval of any purchase above $500. Parents seeking reimbursements will need to demonstrate that expenditures directly benefit a child’s education. Misuse will result in suspension or termination of ESA contracts.</li><li>To ensure transparency, Brett will publish quarterly reports detailing spending categories, household income levels of recipients, and the number of students served, providing an honest picture of how ESA dollars are used and restoring public trust.</li></ul>Modernizing the ESA Platform Through A New RFP: Arizona currently relies on a single vendor, ClassWallet, to process ESA transactions. Under the current contract, parents must use ClassWallet for tuition payments, and the company charges a transaction fee of 2.5 percent; this fee is slated to drop to 2 percent when a new contract takes effect. Private schools have voiced concerns about being forced to join the platform, and the system has faced criticism for reliability.<ul><li>Brett will issue a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to evaluate alternative vendors or technologies that can deliver greater transparency and lower fees. Any new platform must provide real‑time tracking of all ESA expenditures, automated fraud detection, and public reporting capabilities.</li><li>Brett will insist on performance benchmarks, such as processing reimbursements within days instead of weeks, and require vendors to integrate audit tools that flag unusual spending.</li></ul>If ClassWallet cannot meet these standards, the state will select a new provider that does. This move will also give the legislature data needed to assess whether the ESA program is meeting its goals or requires further reforms. By opening the contract to competition, Brett will ensure that taxpayer dollars are managed responsibly and that every transaction can be tracked and audited quickly.

Brett is determined to stop the reckless expansion of ESA vouchers that are siphoning millions from Arizona’s public schools and robbing children of the education they deserve. He is relentless in his fight to protect classroom funding, stand up for educators, and ensure every Arizona child, no matter their ZIP code or family income, has access to a strong, fully funded public school education

When voters passed Proposition 123 in 2016, it provided much-needed relief to Arizona’s underfunded public schools by increasing distributions from the state land trust. But that funding is set to expire in 2025, and without action, our schools could lose hundreds of millions of dollars each year, putting teachers, programs, and student support services at risk.<h2>Brett’s plan to expand and renew Prop 123 protects this critical funding source and ensures Arizona schools have the resources they need long into the future:</h2>Renew and Increase Land‑Trust Distributions: Proposition&nbsp;123, passed in 2016, raised the State Land Trust distribution to 6.9&nbsp;percent and provides roughly $300&nbsp;million per year to K‑12 schools. This arrangement expired on June&nbsp;30,&nbsp;2025, at which point the distribution reverted to 2.5&nbsp;percent, cutting annual funding by about $300&nbsp;million.<ul><li>Brett will lead the charge to renew the proposition for at least another decade and raise the distribution rate to keep up with inflation. Arizona’s land assets were intended to fund public schools, and diverting money to non‑public uses violates voters’ intent.</li></ul>Keep the Renewal “Clean” and Voter‑Focused: Republican legislators have proposed renewing Prop&nbsp;123 while tying it to universal voucher protections and limiting funds exclusively to teacher pay. Brett will reject such “poison pills.”<ul><li>He will fight for a simple, clear ballot measure that maintains or increases the distribution rate and continues to fund teacher salaries, support staff, classroom supplies, and capital needs.</li></ul>By keeping the measure free of unrelated voucher provisions, Brett will ensure voters can support public schools without endorsing policies that divert money to private education.Target Funds Where They Make the Biggest Impact: Brett’s Prop&nbsp;123 renewal will earmark funds for high‑impact initiatives, higher teacher pay, smaller class sizes, early literacy, special education, and the expansion of Career and Technical Education Districts (CTEDs). Without renewal, CTEDs and programs like dual enrollment and the Arizona Promise scholarship could see serious cuts.<ul><li>Brett will ensure that Prop&nbsp;123 funds are used to boost educator compensation, expand professional development, and invest in innovations such as STEM labs and community schools, all while maintaining transparency in spending through public reporting.</li></ul>

Brett understands that fully funding our schools requires bold action. We must expand and pass Prop 123 to unlock critical resources for classrooms, raise teacher pay, and ensure Arizona’s public schools have the long-term funding stability they desperately need.

Expanding &amp; Passing Prop 123

Full-day kindergarten was once widely accessible across Arizona, but devastating cuts during the Great Recession left families forced to pay out-of-pocket or settle for half-day programs. Despite strong research on the benefits of early learning, the state has failed to restore this foundational investment in our youngest learners.<h2>Brett’s plan to restore full-day kindergarten reclaims what was lost and ensures every Arizona child, regardless of ZIP code, gets a strong start to their education:</h2>Guarantee Universal Access and Stable Funding: Arizona eliminated state funding for full‑day kindergarten during the Great Recession. Today, districts can charge tuition for half of the day and many families must pay fees because the state does not cover full‑day programs.<ul><li>Brett Newby will work with lawmakers to embed full‑day kindergarten funding into the state’s base education formula. This change would make full‑day programs tuition‑free statewide, ensuring that all children, urban, rural, low‑income, or wealthy, have access.</li><li>New funding should be weighted to support high‑poverty districts and those serving Indigenous and remote communities, so resources flow where they are most needed.</li></ul>Invest in Early‑Learning Infrastructure and Workforce: Years of disinvestment in early learning mean many districts lack facilities and trained staff to operate full‑day programs.<ul><li>Brett will seek capital investments to build or renovate kindergarten classrooms, particularly in underserved areas.</li><li>He will partner with First Things First and community colleges to train more early‑childhood educators and provide stipends for existing teachers to earn early‑learning certifications.</li><li>He will also expand professional development for kindergarten teachers to align instruction with developmental milestones and Arizona’s academic standards.</li></ul>Build a Continuum from Pre‑K to Third Grade: Research shows that full‑day kindergarten improves reading and math outcomes, especially for children who didn’t attend preschool. Brett’s plan integrates full‑day kindergarten into a broader early‑learning pipeline.<ul><li>He will advocate for state grants that support public‑school partnerships with community preschools and childcare providers, creating seamless transitions from birth to third grade.</li><li>Emphasis will be placed on early literacy, family engagement, and wrap‑around services such as health screenings and after‑school care, ensuring that kindergarten readiness flows into sustained academic success.</li></ul>

Brett believes every child deserves a strong start. He’s determined to restore funding for full-day kindergarten so that every Arizona student, no matter their family’s income or where they live, begins school with the foundation they need to succeed in life and learning.

Restoring Full Day Kindergarten

Arizona still ranks among the worst states in the nation for teacher pay, and educators continue to leave the profession in record numbers. Chronic underfunding, burnout, and lack of professional growth are driving away the very people our children depend on.<h2>Brett’s plan to retain high-quality teachers centers on respect, compensation, and opportunity, treating educators like the essential professionals they are:</h2>Raise Salaries to National Standards and Adjust for Inflation: Arizona still ranks near the bottom nationally in teacher pay. Many educators have left the profession or the state.<ul><li>Brett will champion legislation to raise the state’s teacher salary schedule to at least the national median and to index wages to inflation.</li><li>He will include counselors, nurses, and support staff in the raises, ensuring equitable compensation across the school workforce.</li></ul>Improve Working Conditions and Professional Growth: Low pay is only part of the teacher shortage.<ul><li>Brett will support policies that reduce class sizes, provide adequate planning time, and supply classrooms with up‑to‑date materials.</li><li>He will invest in teacher residency programs that pair new educators with veteran mentors, offer scholarships and loan‑forgiveness programs for aspiring teachers, and expand pathways for paraprofessionals to earn certification.</li><li>He will also back National Board certification stipends and leadership roles that allow teachers to stay in the classroom while advancing their careers.</li></ul>

Brett knows Arizona’s teacher shortage is a crisis that threatens the future of our schools. He’s committed to raising teacher pay, improving classroom resources, and creating real support systems to keep great educators in Arizona classrooms, because every child deserves a highly qualified, passionate teacher leading their education.

Retaining Teachers

The Arizona Promise Program opened new doors for low-income students to attend college tuition-free, but its reach is too narrow, and many eligible students still slip through the cracks. High housing costs, limited outreach, and restrictions on eligibility are holding back thousands of would-be scholars.<h2>Brett’s plan to expand the Promise Scholarship transforms it into a true statewide commitment, one that empowers students from all backgrounds to pursue higher education and career success: </h2>Broaden Eligibility Beyond Pell‑Grant Students: The Arizona Promise Program currently fills the gap between Pell grants and tuition for first‑time, full‑time students. Qualifying students must be Pell‑eligible and enroll immediately after high school. <ul><li>Brett will expand eligibility to include lower‑middle‑income families who don’t qualify for Pell but still can’t afford tuition. </li><li>He will also open the program to part‑time students, adult learners, and students at community colleges so non‑traditional learners can benefit.</li></ul>Cover More than Tuition and Fees: The current program covers only tuition and mandatory <a href="http://feestempe.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fees</a>. Housing, books, meals, and transportation remain major barriers to completion. <ul><li>Brett will advocate for a “Promise Plus” model that provides a stipend for living expenses, particularly for first‑generation students and those from rural or high‑poverty areas. </li></ul>This expanded program could be funded by increasing the State Land Trust distribution, allocating general funds, or creating an endowment.Strengthen Outreach, Support, and Accountability: Many eligible students never benefit from the Promise Program because they don’t complete the FAFSA or don’t know about the opportunity. <ul><li>Brett will direct high schools and community organizations to provide FAFSA completion assistance and college‑planning workshops. </li><li>He will also mandate that universities report outcomes, such as graduation rates and job placement, for Promise recipients, ensuring the program delivers on its promise to expand educational attainment.</li></ul>

Brett is determined to make higher education accessible and affordable for every Arizona student. Expanding the Arizona Promise Scholarship ensures that cost is never a barrier for hardworking students who want to pursue a college degree and build a brighter future.

Expanding the Arizona Promise Scholarship

Arizona students face some of the highest counselor-to-student ratios in the nation, despite rising mental health needs and academic stress. While community organizations and school leaders have stepped in to support students where they can, the state has yet to invest meaningfully in growing the school mental health workforce.<h2>Brett’s plan to hire more school counselors addresses this crisis head-on, building a statewide support system that puts student well-being first:</h2>Address the Worst Counselor‑to‑Student Ratio in the Nation: Arizona has roughly 753 students for every one school counselor<a href="http://counseloracluaz.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">,</a> far higher than the nationally recommended ratio of 250‑to‑1. This shortage leaves many students without access to academic guidance and mental‑health support.<ul><li>Brett will propose legislation setting a target of achieving a 350‑to‑1 ratio within five years and a 250‑to‑1 ratio within ten years.</li></ul>This requires hiring thousands of counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses. Funding should come from the general fund, Prop&nbsp;123, and any state surplus.Build and Sustain the Counseling Workforce: To grow the counselor pipeline, Brett will:<ul><li>Create scholarships and loan‑forgiveness programs for graduate students who commit to serving in Arizona schools.</li><li>He will work with universities to expand counseling and social‑work programs and advocate for remote learning options for rural residents.</li><li>He will also support reciprocity agreements to make it easier for out‑of‑state counselors to work in Arizona and provide competitive salaries and retention bonuses for experienced counselors.</li></ul>Integrate Mental‑Health Services and Monitor Outcomes Research shows that counselors improve graduation rates, reduce disciplinary disparities, and help prevent suicides.<ul><li>Brett will coordinate state and federal grant funding to create comprehensive school‑based mental‑health teams. These teams will provide tiered support, from universal social‑emotional learning to individualized therapy.</li><li>Brett will require districts to report counselor caseloads, student outcomes, and referral patterns, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.</li></ul>

Brett knows that students thrive when they have access to mental health and academic guidance. He’s committed to hiring more school counselors and support staff so every child has the tools and support they need to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Hiring More School Counselors

Brett Newby is a father, educator, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst running to fully fund Arizona’s public schools, empower teachers, and demand ESA accountability.