23 Maricopa County school districts have questions going to voters. Here's what they want
This fall, nearly two dozen school districts in Maricopa County are asking voters to approve a bond measure, a budget override or a real estate sale.
Most school districts depend on public funds allocated from federal, state or local property tax dollars, but state law allows them to ask voters for additional funding through ballot measures known as bonds and overrides.
Bonds seek a specific dollar amount and are used for capital purposes, like renovating and improving existing facilities, constructing new buildings or facilities, safety and security enhancements, and purchasing school buses and technology.
Overrides allow a district to increase its budget by up to 15% for seven years to pay operational expenses. The types of overrides voters may see on their 2023 ballot are maintenance and operations overrides, which are used for operational expenses like teacher salaries and student programs, and district additional assistance overrides, which bolster capital funding and often help cover technology, curriculum and instructional materials and other equipment expenses.
Property owners in the district pay for overrides and bonds via property taxes. The amount is based on the limited property value, which the county assessor calculates.
For years, bond and override measures have been critical for districts to cover capital improvements, maintenance, salaries and other costs.
Districts also must seek voter approval to sell, lease or exchange certain real property. This year, three Maricopa County districts are asking voters for approval to sell district-owned sites.
How bonds and overrides work: School funding is on the ballot across Maricopa County. Here are the basics of bonds and overrides
How to vote in the Arizona election
The elections will be held by mail, and qualified voters who live in district boundaries will be automatically sent a ballot. Voters will be able to return their ballot by mail, drop it off at a secure ballot drop box or voting location, or vote a replacement ballot in person.
Here are election-related dates to know:
Oct. 10: Voter registration deadline
Oct. 11: Ballots are mailed out, and drop boxes open
Oct. 30: In-person ballot replacement voting begins
Oct. 31: Last day to mail your ballot back
Nov. 7: Election Day
Maricopa County voters can visit BeBallotReady.Vote to check their registration status.
Visit elections.maricopa.gov/voting/where-to-vote.html to find a voting center or secure ballot drop box site.
All about the November 2023 elections: What to know about the November 2023 city and school district elections in Maricopa County
Which Maricopa County districts are seeking funding?
This year, 23 school districts in Maricopa County are asking voters to approve a bond measure, override or land sale.
Voters can find more details about each request in English and Spanish, including any arguments for or against the measures, on the Maricopa County school superintendent's website.
Here's the list of the school district requests on the November 2023 ballot.
Agua Fria Union High School District
Seeks a $197 million bond measure for the design and construction of a new high school campus; building repairs and maintenance, including air conditioning improvements or replacements; safety and security improvements at all high schools and facilities; new school buses; technology enhancements and facilities and equipment for the district's upcoming workforce academies.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.39 for $100 of assessed property value.
Alhambra Elementary School District
Seeks approval to sell four parcels: a 9.89-acre site at 4510 N. 37th Ave., a 3.93-acre site at 3832 Grand Ave., a 3-acre site at 3781 W. Campbell Ave. and an 11.58-acre site at 4730 W. Campbell Ave. The first three sites encompass vacant land adjacent to the district office, according to district spokesperson Gabriel Gamiño Guerrero. The fourth parcel is where the Alhambra Preschool Center is located and includes an unused field area, according to information about the ballot proposal on the district website. Portions of the identified parcels might be sold to build affordable housing, according to the district. The sales will have no additional tax impact.
Avondale Elementary School District
Seeks a $75 million bond measure for safety and security upgrades, facility maintenance, new school construction, and the purchase of school buses, furniture, equipment and technology.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.48 for $100 of assessed property value.
Deer Valley Unified School District
Seeks a $325 million bond measure for safety and security enhancements, conservation measures and energy efficiency projects, technology improvements, capital improvements to facilities, replacement of school buses and campus support vehicles, new construction, including a new high school, and furniture, fixtures and equipment.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.6989 for $100 of assessed property value.
The Deer Valley Unified School District also seeks renewal of a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for salaries, maintaining class sizes, full-day kindergarten, specialized student programs, support for extracurricular activities, counselors and support staff and school and department budgets. The continued annual cost of the override to the average homeowner in the district is $255.29.
Fountain Hills Unified School District
Seeks a $25 million bond measure for safety and security improvements, repair of aging school buildings, maintenance of buildings, including air conditioning improvements or replacements, replacement of aging and discontinued mechanisms with energy-efficient upgrades, and repurposing of antiquated learning spaces.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.2572 for $100 of assessed property value.
The district also seeks approval to sell a 3.72-acre site at 17300 E. Calaveras Ave. in Fountain Hills. The sale will have no additional tax impact.
Fowler Elementary School District
Seeks renewal of a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for maintaining staffing levels, class sizes, staff salaries, student library and health services and art, physical education, band and other special programs, and retaining assistant principals.
The continued yearly cost of the override to the average homeowner in the district is $90.84.
Gila Bend Unified School District
Seeks renewal of a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for maintaining or reducing student-to-teacher ratios, maintaining full-day kindergarten, supporting special activity programs like music and technology and purchasing classroom materials.
The continued yearly cost of the override to the average homeowner in the district is $25.15.
Gilbert Unified School District
Seeks a $100 million bond measure for building renovations; replacing and updating career and technical program classroom needs; renovating and expanding performing arts facilities; addressing athletic stadium safety concerns; safety measures, including a communication system, secure entryways and replacement of aging fencing and alarm systems, and replacement of student transportation vehicles.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.3050 for $100 of assessed property value.
The district also seeks renewal of a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for teacher and staff salaries, class-size reduction and maintaining safety and security personnel, including social workers and mental health counselors.
The continued yearly cost of the override to the average homeowner in the district is $326.73.
Glendale Elementary School District
Seeks a $40 million bond measure for the construction and renovation of school buildings, student transportation vehicles, improvements to school grounds and the purchase of school lots, equipment and technology.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.7085 for $100 of assessed property value.
The district is also seeking renewal of a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for school supplies, library services, school nurses, classroom assistants, athletics and physical education, and art and music programs.
The estimated continued yearly cost of the override to the average homeowner in the district is $246.30.
The district is also seeking an additional assistance budget override for safety and security infrastructure, technology updates, textbooks, information technology infrastructure, instructional aids, library books, vehicles, furniture and equipment.
The yearly cost of the district additional assistance override to the average homeowner is $165.10.
The district also seeks approval to sell a 17.76-acre site at the southwest corner of N. 61st and W. Alice avenues in Glendale. The sale will have no additional tax impact.
Kyrene Elementary School District
Seeks a $161 million bond for security infrastructure, including upgraded cameras, building access controls and improved perimeter fencing; structural repairs, including HVAC systems, building weatherization and roofing; building maintenance; improvements to school playgrounds, fields, parking lots and furniture; and replacement of aging buses.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.2694 for $100 of assessed property value.
The district is also seeking an additional assistance budget override for classroom technology, instructional materials, safety and visitor management systems, security communication equipment, technology and vehicle support infrastructure.
The yearly cost of the district additional assistance override to the average homeowner is $98.65.
Liberty Elementary School District
Seeks a $97.4 million bond measure toward the construction of two new schools; renovation of school buildings; purchase of student transportation vehicles; safety and security upgrades; improving school grounds; site improvements to school parking lots, roofing, plumbing, flooring, shade structures and fields; and furniture, equipment and technology upgrades.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.8562 for $100 of assessed property value.
Litchfield Elementary School District
Seeks a $100 million bond measure for the construction of a new school; safety and security renovations; building renovations, including roofing and air conditioning; technology; classroom equipment; and student transportation vehicles.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.41 for $100 of assessed property value.
Littleton Elementary School District
Seeks renewal of a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for full-day kindergarten and student support programs, reduced class sizes, teacher and staff salaries, special programming for music, art and physical education and after-school programs for clubs and athletics.
The continued yearly cost of the override to the average homeowner in the district is $212.10.
Madison Elementary School District
Seeks a $105 million bond measure for construction or renovation of school buildings, safety and security improvements, preventative maintenance on all buildings, conservation measures and energy efficiency projects, transportation vehicles, technology, furniture and equipment.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.6087 for $100 of assessed property value.
The district also seeks renewal of a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for curriculum and signature programs, recruiting and retaining educational professionals and providing student and staff support services.
The continued yearly cost of the override to the average homeowner in the district is $138.68.
Mesa Unified School District
Seeks a $500 million bond for implementing safety measures, including secure lobby areas, fencing and technology; modernization of learning spaces and facilities; and technology devices for students and staff.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.9794 for $100 of assessed property value.
The district also seeks a renewal of a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for recruiting and retaining teachers, preparing students for workforce and college opportunities, reducing class sizes and school security staff and safety enhancements.
The continued yearly cost of the override to the average homeowner in the district is $297.11.
Osborn Elementary School District
Seeks a $100 million bond for the construction of new facilities for supporting the district's child nutrition and performing arts programs; building renovations; instructional technology equipment and network upgrades; replacement of outdated furniture, fixtures and equipment; and energy-efficient school buses.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $1.1066 for $100 of assessed property value.
The district is also seeking an additional assistance budget override for curriculum and instructional materials and software, school grounds repairs and improvements, and technology, furniture, fixtures and equipment.
The yearly cost of the district additional assistance override to the average homeowner is $41.72.
Paradise Valley Unified School District
Seeks a $340 million bond measure for maintaining existing facilities, complying with safety regulations, upgrading technology infrastructure and purchasing school furniture, equipment, technology and school buses. The bond will include funds for a potential new school if one is needed due to growth, according to district spokesperson Sarah Hackett.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.47 for $100 of assessed property value.
Pendergast Elementary School District
Seeks a $100 million bond measure for renovations of aging buildings to meet health and safety standards; construction of classroom additions; safety upgrades, including camera and intercom systems and upgrades of fire alarm and security systems; refurbishing of schools, including roof repairs and replacements, floor and furniture replacements and energy efficient lighting; maintaining the 1:1 computer initiative; increasing wireless capabilities; and improvements to technology infrastructure.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $1.0828 for $100 of assessed property value.
The district also seeks a renewal of a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for maintaining class sizes; full-day kindergarten; classes for art, music, physical education and STEAM Academies; counselors; school health providers; and librarians.
The continued yearly cost of the override to the average homeowner in the district is $209.78.
Phoenix Union High School District
Seeks a $475 million bond measure for new construction, including Phoenix Educator Preparatory, a new small school, and new buildings on existing properties; improvements to athletic facilities and performing arts centers; infrastructure improvements, including HVAC, shade, restrooms, parking lots, fencing, lighting, ADA requirements and upgrades; safety improvements, including fencing and perimeter upgrades, fire and life safety systems and safe entries; renovations of cafeterias, kitchens and libraries; building renovations to Metro Tech, Phoenix Digital Academy and PXU City; student and district administration technology; replacement of transportation vehicles and expansion of electric and propane buses; and furniture and equipment.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $1.0828 for $100 of assessed property value.
Queen Creek Unified School District
Seeks a $98 million bond measure for security upgrades; additions and/or improvements to existing school infrastructure, including new academic wings; supplementing funds for the construction of a new high school, middle school and elementary school; technology infrastructure, including internet and Wi-Fi upgrades and supporting the 1:1 student-to-device initiative; buses; and resources for educational programming and extracurricular activities.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.3178 for $100 of assessed property value.
The district also seeks renewal of a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for maintaining school security, academic programs, staff and teacher salaries, K-8 class sizes, art and music classes and athletic, ROTC and gifted programs.
The continued yearly cost of the override to the average homeowner in the district is $426.26.
Scottsdale Unified School District
Seeks renewal of a maintenance and operations budget override of 15% for maintaining class sizes; programming for fine arts, athletics and other extracurricular activities; teacher compensation; technology; full-day kindergarten; and staff professional development.
The continued yearly cost of the override to the average homeowner in the district is $173.78.
Tolleson Elementary School District
Seeks a $30 million bond measure for renovations and improvements to school facilities, including kitchens, cafeterias, classrooms and exterior weatherproofing; improving school grounds, including playgrounds, playfields and drainage; replacement of transportation vehicles; and safety and security improvements, including replacing air conditioning and heating units, upgrading fire alarm and security systems, adding protective bulletproof glass to windows, replacing flooring, roofs, furniture and equipment; and upgrading classroom technology equipment.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.5712 for $100 of assessed property value.
Tolleson Union High School District
Seeks a $125 million bond measure for safety and security enhancements; building maintenance; replacing major systems with more energy efficient models; constructing additional school buildings; new buses and maintenance vehicles; school grounds improvement; and technology, furniture, fixtures and equipment.
The estimated yearly tax rate for the bond is $0.3800 for $100 of assessed property value.
Madeleine Parrish covers K-12 education. Reach her at mparrish@arizonarepublic.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @maddieparrish61.
Former Arizona Republic reporter Renata Cló contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What Maricopa County school districts want from Arizona voters in 2023
