NW Valley Times

Jeff Tobey, who is running for a seat on the Peoria Unified School District Board, said he supports school choice for parents because the state ESA program benefits "the student, family, and the taxpayers of Arizona." He made the statement on X on May 30. 

"Amazing how ESAs benefit the student, family, and the taxpayers of Arizona," Tobey said in the post. "Many politicians out there are beating the drum on how ESAs are a disaster. I’m pro school choice. I’ve chosen to support public schools, but I’m glad parents have the ability to choose!"

An op-ed analysis from the Goldwater Institute's Matt Beienburg showed that Arizona taxpayers pay more for students attending public schools than for students and families who participate in Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. 

The average ESA scholarship given to students in Arizona is just over $7,000, according to the report, which is close to the average tuition of private school for grades K-8, roughly $7,400. The average yearly cost per student for Arizona's public schools is $12,200 with just state and local taxes, excluding federal taxes. 

A report from the Goldwater Institute also revealed that tuition costs had increased significantly more in public schools since the start of the ESA program, not private schools. 

Tobey is the father of four children in the community, with ages ranging from toddler to high school student. Tobey received his Bachelor's in Communications from Arizona State University. He has served as Safety Chair for his church, and is currently the treasurer of his HOA.