Voice It, a forum on the state’s education system, was set to take place Thursday evening at Fletcher Library on the West campus. But no one showed up.

English junior Margarite Dale, the event’s planner, said the forum was meant to bring educators throughout Arizona’s 10th Legislative District together to discuss a number of issues facing education in the state.

District 10 stretches from approximately Bell Road to Northern Avenue, and from 51st Avenue to 16th Street, and includes such schools as Acacia Elementary, Cortez High School and Greenway High School.

Dale said she thought the reason no one attended was that many people are simply tired of the current political system and don’t think that they can do anything to change it.

“It’s saddening,” said Dale, who is also campaigning for a position as a representative in the state Legislature. “We have the power to make a difference, and we have to do something to make that difference.”

Some of the issues that Dale planned to bring up included school budgets, the number of students who graduate from high school and the number of high school graduates who continue on to college, she said.

The education system’s budget was another issue Dale said she planned to bring up for discussion. Dale said that Arizona ranks 35th in the nation in per capita spending for education. Also, the state spends only $10 million a year on need-based financial aid.

“Out of $460 million, they only give 18 percent to universities,” Dale said.

Some of the solutions Dale said she hoped to discuss at Thursday’s forum were her two plans for improving the state’s educational budget — going green and focusing on getting more money out of inventions and developments created in the university system.

While the Voice It forum was open to the public, Dale intended for the event to primarily focus on those who have a career in education.

“I only sent out specific invitations to all of the schools in the district,” Dale said. “I think that it’s their profession, and if anyone has any ideas, it’s probably going to be them.”

Kelly Irvin, a history senior at the West campus who has been assisting Dale with her campaign, said she feels the same way.

“I think a lot of people don’t understand how important it is to vote,” Irvin said. “The fact that nobody showed up tonight is a prime example.”

Reach the reporter at joshua.snyder@asu.edu.