Proposition 412: Amphitheater Unified School District Bond 2024
According to the Education Law Center (2023), Arizona ranked 50th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia in funding per student and at the bottom in Pre-K-12 education funding relative to the state’s overall economy. School districts may ask voters to approve bonds and overrides if state and limited federal funds are insufficient to maintain safe and competitive schools.
Background
Bonds are loaning instruments purchased by investors that are paid back with interest over a specific period and are generally intended for capital investments with a useful life of more than 5 years. This bond proposition is for $84 million, with an average secondary property tax rate of $0.29 per $100 of assessed valuation. No tax increase is expected. A new series of bonds will replace previous bonds as they expire, plus Marana’s growth has led to an expanding tax base. These bonds will continue providing fire alarms, transportation, roofs, plumbing, fencing, computers, playgrounds, and fields and add security cameras.
Impact
A YES vote will continue the existing bond funds. This will allow the district to continue to pay for such things as school bus facility renovations, classroom lab space renovations, technology infrastructure upgrades, safety and security improvements, infrastructure improvements, and other capital improvements with a useful life of more than 5 years.
A NO vote will not continue the existing bond funds, which means the district might have to discontinue funding for many of these capital improvements already undertaken and any new improvements deemed necessary to enhance their current status
Proposition 413: Amphitheater United School District Maintenance And Operation Budget Override, 2024
Background
Overrides allow the school district to increase its budget up to 15% for 7 years, but the percentage of that budget phases down by 1/3 in the sixth year and by 2/3 in the final year. Districts often ask voters to approve a renewal in the fourth or fifth year of an override to maintain a consistent level of funding.This override would provide about $12 million per year for the district with no new taxes.
The voters originally approved this override in 2005, and approval of this override will continue that authorization. The district would have the funds to help pay for such things as additional teachers, expanded course offerings for middle and high schools, staff pay, free full-day kindergarten at every elementary school, lower class sizes in grades K-3 and other general operations.
Impact
A YES vote will maintain the district’s current funding.
A NO vote will result in a cut in the funds available for any of the current and planned improvements.