FOX 10's Stephanie Bennett reports. Stay informed of the rapid school district changes with the below Arizona's schools may be forced to shut down as early as April 1 this spring. 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays. Not because of COVID-19 this time, but because of a perfect storm of problems with our states school funding system. Listen to public health experts and school leaders. Back in 1980, a cap on school funding, also known as an Aggregate Expenditure Limit, was added to the Arizona Constitution. "I think the community is really just frustrated and kind of sick of this because it feels almost like a political football game. Maricopa County Department of Public Health, for example, recently began requiring students and staff who came in close contact of a known COVID-19 case to quarantine. Doug Ducey, who for months had emphasized personal responsibility over pandemic-related mandates, signed off. This is something that shouldnt be an issue, but, unfortunately, the majority in the Legislature has decided to make it an issue.. Kids arent dying from COVID-19. Lana Berry, the chief financial officer of Chandler Unified School District, said schools have the money, they just need the authorization from the Legislature to spend it. (Because apparently there would be no other public or charter school option?). We knew this was going to become an issue. Districts will be forced to lay off huge numbers of teachers, resulting in enormous class sizes. Close your doors for even a day and you will . Stay up-to-date on the most recent guidance, resources, and professional development offered by the Arizona Department of Education and our partners. We saw what it did to our kids. Maricopa County tracks schools with active and resolved outbreaks in a dashboard, but does not differentiate by school or district. Interactive Coronavirus case data and map, Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers, Coronavirus: Symptoms, testing and how to prepare amid growing COVID-19 outbreak, How coronavirus differs from flu: Symptoms to watch for, Is it the flu, a cold or COVID-19? Look at Mesa Unified School District up in the Phoenix area, theyd have to cut $78 million, or TUSD with $58 million, Marana with about $15 million, Amphi with $14 million, he said. "If its not addressed in a permanent manner, we are going to be pretty much sealing our feet from now on be at the bottom of the nation in funding," said David Lujan, a former state lawmaker. All stories must run in their entirety unless otherwise noted or agreed upon after discussion with AZCIR. Arizona public schools concerned over possible $1.2 billion in budget cuts, Tucson marks first 100-degree day of 2023, WARNING GRAPHIC VIDEO of officer-involved fatal shooting, Gov. MAP: Districts operational status across the U.S. 2023. For more than a decade the Legislatures failure to invest properly in our schools has resulted in such a severe teacher shortage that more than20% of our students dont have a permanent, qualified teacher in their classroom. "That would mean laying off two-thirds of the teachers," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. Over the years, lawmakers have voted to override it which hasnt happened yet this year.