Student under preparedness is one of the major challenges facing community colleges in the United States. A contributing factor of student under preparedness at the postsecondary level is an inequitable and inadequate distribution of resources at the K-12 level. Students residing in socio-economically disadvantaged school districts that often expend less money per pupil are disproportionally under prepared for college-level course work. This study examined the relationship between per pupil expenditure in Maricopa County (AZ) K-12 public school districts and student preparedness at the post-secondary level; specifically the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). Results show that the students where the most money is being spent, are the least likely to be prepared--that appears to be because these students were socio-economically disadvantaged. There are two primary implications of this study. First, the issue of "ecological equity" must be addressed in Maricopa County. Second, the issue of equity and adequacy in per pupil expenditure must be addressed in Maricopa County (and perhaps the State of Arizona). Specific policies recommended include quality preschool education, extending school hours, providing health and social services in schools, and expending more money per pupil in school districts with concentrated poverty.