By admin 
MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — A legal dispute between East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) and nine East Valley school districts could force families to find their own transportation to career education programs, and some students may lose access entirely.
Read more Tucson business leaders shadow principals to understand daily challenges
Jacqueline Bell’s daughter has attended EVIT’s culinary arts program for nearly a year. Bell recently learned her school district may discontinue transportation to EVIT.
“I think my heart stopped for a minute, because it’s like, oh my god, what am I supposed to do now?” Bell said.
Bell said she works from home with several meetings throughout the day. She said she cannot transport her daughter to Mesa daily.
“They said from the beginning that this would not affect the kids. It obviously is 100% affecting kids and families. It’s just, it’s very heartbreaking, very devastating,” Bell said.
Funding formula at center of dispute
The issue stems from a legal dispute over how state funding for career and technical education programs is distributed.
EVIT receives 100% of Career and Technical Education (CTE) state funding for students learning at its main campuses. The districts also work with EVIT to operate satellite career programs off of EVIT’s campuses.
For those satellite programs, districts currently receive 87% of state CTE funding while EVIT takes 13%. EVIT now wants to increase its share to 30%.
Nine East Valley school districts are involved in the dispute. They include Gilbert, Chandler, Higley, Queen Creek, and Tempe Union.
Chad Wilson with EVIT said the organization has historically funded satellite programs at a greater percentage than any other career and technical education district in the state. He said the outcomes have not matched the investment.
“We’re auctioned for more money than any other seats have in the state of Arizona, and our outcomes aren’t what they need to be,” Wilson said.
Read more Man wanted for accidental double shooting in Green Valley
EVIT is seeking a larger share of funding to improve performance and accountability in satellite programs.
Districts argue the proposal would reduce classroom resources and limit programs.
“That’s going to mean we’re going to have to close programs on our local campuses, and we’re going to have fewer opportunities for our students,” said Craig Pearson with the districts.
Districts also say EVIT previously withheld about $8 million in payments tied to these programs during the current school year. The districts said they had to use their own money to fund the programs.
Court issues partial ruling
A Maricopa County judge recently issued a partial ruling in the case. The judge said EVIT cannot retain funding unless it is used for those programs. The judge also said EVIT cannot be forced into specific agreements with districts.
The districts are taking EVIT to court with millions of dollars on the line. The districts said they are already facing difficult funding decisions.
For parents, the uncertainty is personal.
Bell said she may have to pull her daughter out of the program if she cannot figure out transportation.
“EVIT is really the only program I know that the kids can go to during high school and get the experience, get the exposure, networking with other chefs,” Bell said. “It would devastate her.”
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Read more Registered sex offender arrested again after Cash App flags suspicious payments to teen