The Pima Early Education Program Scholarships (PEEPs) is at risk of losing funding from the City of Tucson, but some residents are putting pressure on the Mayor and Council to continue funding it.
On Tuesday, families and early childhood education advocates filled the city council meeting, where council members heard public comment on the fiscal year 2026 budget.
In his draft budget, City Manager Timothy Thomure suggested cutting the city’s contribution to the program that helps low-income families find quality preschool education. When PEEPs launched in 2021, the city put forward $1 million, but has since lowered its contribution to $750,000.
The city is under financial pressure to tighten its spending. For the upcoming fiscal year, officials anticipate a drop in revenue from sales taxes and shared-state revenues because of the flat income tax rate. This means city leaders, like Mayor Regina Romerao, will have to make difficult decisions.
“(The city manager) presented a good budget,” Romero told AZPM News in April. “Some pain in it, but we are really looking internally as to what we cut, where we take additional funds from.”
But cutting early childhood education could put families at risk of losing a vital resource, like that of Marissa Johnson, whose child is only able to attend preschool because of the program. Her son is three years old and attends Tucson Community School, a child-centered, play-based preschool that has served Tucson for 75 years. She says her son’s attendance next year is contingent on whether Tucson continues its funding.
“I'm here to remind you that one of the values our community rests on is dedication to quality care and schooling for our youngest and most vulnerable children,” Johnson said on Tuesday. “We know that defunding education today will have negative consequences tomorrow. Reduced spending on young children and families will increase future general fund costs, including social services and health care.”
Tiffany Bucciarelli Fay, the director of early childhood education at Amphitheater Public School District, also spoke out. She told the council that 54 children within her district receive scholarships through PEEPs. Cutting that funding would risk their early education.
“If the city of Tucson truly wants the 85705 to thrive, their citizens to live healthier, more productive and prosperous lives, then funding early childhood education is a must,” she said.
60% of program participants–over 800 students–reside in the city of Tucson along with 155 PEEPs providers.
Currently, Tucson funds three Amphi preschool classes and two Sunnyside preschool classes. The town of Marana funds one Marana Unified School District class.
Tucson would not be the first local government to stop providing support. Last year, the program used up the dollars that the town of Oro Valley provided to fund new preschool-age appropriate playgrounds at several Amphi elementary schools. However, according to a county memo, Oro Valley may put forward dollars in the future.
“While Oro Valley’s funding was fully expended last year, discussions and site visits occurred recently with the Mayor and Town Council Members with the goal of the Town again providing support in the future,” the memo said.
Whether Tucson continues its funding or not, the Pima County Board of Supervisors agreed this week to keep the program going through the Library District tax.
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