The Daily Agenda: So, you want better-funded schools?
Your guide to local school bonds and overrides ... Here's how that money will be spent ... Humane Society showdown.
Election day is a month away and voter information pamphlets hit mailboxes last week, providing voters with details about each proposition and arguments in support and opposition.
As we previously noted, at least $550 million in funding is at stake for the five districts seeking voter approval. Officials say that if the propositions fail, the consequences will be steep.
In a state that woefully underfunds education, districts rely on voters to pick up the slack. But Southern Arizona’s school bonds and overrides often fall short despite widespread support for increased education funding.
These off-year elections are important, so we wanted to make sure our readers have all the information they need to make an informed vote. So here’s your guide to school bonds and overrides.
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Prop. 496, Tucson Unified School District
The $480 million bond package would increase property taxes by $5.73 per month or $69 per year for a district homeowner with an assessed value of $100,000.
What will it do? Repair and upgrade facilities, improve classrooms and learning spaces, update security systems at each school, renovate school health offices, update and increase technology and replace aging buses and support vehicles.
What are supporters saying? Nobody wrote in opposition in the publicity pamphlet. Supporters include Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, Pima County Supervisors Adelita Grijalva and Rex Scott, TUSD board president Dr. Ravi Shah and other notable community members, many of whom touched on the significant funding cuts to the district over the last 15 years.
“The link between the quality of our schools and the well-being of our people is undeniable,” wrote United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona CEO Tony Penn. “Better, safer schools create a stronger future for students and families, and positively impact our communities and region as a whole.”
Prop. 498 and Prop. 499, Sunnyside Unified School District
Prop. 498 is an 8% maintenance and operations budget override that’s expected to bring in $8.1 million over the next seven years. With Prop. 499, the district is seeking to exceed its district additional assistance budget.
What will they fund? Voter approval of the propositions would allow the district to maintain school safety and security and continue to fund positions that support academic growth. It would also strengthen programs that prepare students for the workforce and college; funding for fine and performing art and athletic programs, and competitive salaries for teachers and staff.
What are supporters saying? No one submitted a letter opposing either proposition, but their 10 supporters included Romero, Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar, Tucson City Council members Lane Santa Cruz and Richard Fimbres and State Rep. Consuelo Hernandez.
“My K-12 experience in SUSD helped shape who I am today and prepared me for higher education, leadership and service to my community,” wrote Sunnyside alum and former Pima County Attorney’s Office Community Outreach Coordinator Patrick Robles. “We need educated, service-oriented, curious citizens to ensure that our economic growth and the prosperity of our communities continues to thrive.”
Prop. 497, Flowing Wells Unified School District
Voter approval of the 13% maintenance and operations budget override is estimated to bring in $4.8 million for the first year.
What will it fund? Hands-on K-12 engineering classes that integrate science, technology, math, and art. It would also maintain current funding for programs and incentives including: fine and performing arts, specialized electives, competitive salaries for teachers and staff, full-day kindergarten, reasonable class sizes, athletics for elementary through high school students and safe and well-maintained campuses.
What are supporters saying? There were no arguments against approving Prop. 497, and 10 letters in support. Letter writers urged voters to approve the initiative so the district can continue to provide a high-quality, equitable education to students. Tucson City Councilman Kevin Dahl said the district has a proven track record of responsible spending.
“By voting yes on this override, we can secure the district’s budget, ensuring that all students have equal access to transformative experiences,” wrote Flowing Wells parent Aryn Lambson. “Our public schools serve as the heartbeat of our community, fostering creativity, critical thinking, effective communication, selfconfidence, and resilience.
Prop. 401, Sahuarita Unified School District
Approval of the $50 million improvement bond will not result in an increase to the current school bond tax rate.
What will it fund? The bond will fund safety upgrades, renovations, new construction, increased technology and new furniture and equipment. New construction opportunities include special education spaces, a theater and expansion of the district’s Early Childhood Center.
What are supporters saying? Twenty-three people wrote letters urging voters to approve the improvement bond, with no arguments against it. Letter writers talked about the district’s proud history, community members’ duty to support schools and the much-needed repairs and upgrades the bond will fund.
“As a retiree with no children, I still know the importance of a quality education and safety measures in place for the kids,” wrote resident Elizabeth Boudreau. “The future of our nation and community is the children.”
Prop. 400, Altar Valley Elementary School District
The reauthorization of the 10% maintenance and operations budget override will generate an anticipated $520,000 in revenue in the first year and would not result in a tax increase to homeowners.
What will it fund? Voter approval of Prop. 400 will allow the district to provide free, full-day kindergarten, pay teachers and staff competitive salaries, maintain small class sizes and provide students with free athletic programs.
What are supporters saying? There was only one letter in support of the proposition — written by the district’s governing board — and no letters opposing its passage.
Just because no one submitted arguments in opposition to any of the bonds and overrides doesn’t mean it will be smooth sailing on Election Day.
It’s been decades since voters approved any additional funding for TUSD, and Sunnyside has had seven overrides rejected by voters since 2011. Flowing Wells and Alter Valley both successfully passed overrides in 2019, but that doesn’t ensure a win at the polls this year.
Regardless, it seems apparent to us and a handful of letter writers that if we want better-funded schools, it’s going to have to happen at the local level.
“It remains clear that for our children to receive the excellent education they deserve, we must count on voters to make up some funds the state fails to invest,” according to Sunnyside alum Robles.
Questions remain: Two officials with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, CEO Steve Farley and Chief Programs Officer Christian Gonzalez, were suspended by their board after animal advocates demanded to know what happened to 250 small animals, AZPM’s Danyelle Khmara reports. The rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rats were transferred from San Diego to the local Humane Society, which then moved them to a small, anonymous rescue. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona board has launched an investigation into the incident.
Lots of details here: The Pima Animal Care Center took in more than 16,000 animals last fiscal year, according to its annual report. More than 91% of those animals left the shelter through adoption, reunification with families, or placed in rescues. The report shows a variety of actions taken by PACC, including surgeries, spaying, calls for service, and the use of the foster program.
That’s not what the money was for: The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, run by Sheriff Mark Lamb, who also is running for U.S. Senate, spent at least $217,000 on weapons, ammunition, and ballistic vests. The thing is, that money came from profits generated by jail inmates when they buy food or make phone calls, and state law says it’s supposed to be spent in a way that benefits inmates, the Arizona Luminaria’s John Washington reports.
Cutting ties: The largest pension fund in Arizona divested from a La Paz County farm that grows alfalfa for Middle Eastern countries, Capitol Media Services’ Howard Fischer reports. The head of the Arizona State Retirement System said the decision was based on diversifying the fund’s portfolio. It had nothing to do with a public campaign by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes targeting companies that use the state’s scarce water supplies to export agricultural goods.
“It’s very clear that the people of Arizona don’t think it’s appropriate for us to be allowing companies that are controlled by Middle Eastern or any other foreign country to use our water for free to export alfalfa to their countries, especially when those countries have outlawed the use of water for growing alfalfa,’’ Mayes said.
Rough anniversary: Arizona Daily Star columnist Tim Steller talks with employees of the University of Arizona’s Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Department nearly a year after department head Prof. Thomas Meixner was shot and killed in October 2022.
“It was a very homey, friendly office.” Kathy Varin, the department’s business manager, said Thursday. “We lost all of that.”
20: The number of years it has been since voters approved a TUSD bond. In the last 15 years, the district was hit with $161.1 million in state capital funding cuts.