Proposition 410: Continental Elementary School District No. 39

15% Maintenance And Operations Budget Override

Background

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. 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. The district is requesting a Special Budget Override that would be an increase and continuation of a 14% override passed in 2020. The first year of this proposed increase is estimated to be $620,000. Continental Elementary School is the only school in this district and consists of kindergarten through 8th grade, as such, the district enjoys one of the lowest tax rates in the state. The school currently has a “B” letter grade from the state and is working hard towards achieving an “A” grade. They have seen an overall 10% academic improvement across the student body.

Impact

A YES vote will increase the budget by $44,000, allowing the retention of experienced, qualified teachers and staff, support services, sports, tutorials, clubs and the “Leader in Me” program in place for student development. It will also help the district maintain its current resource level after the loss of federal grants. The secondary property tax rate would increase by $0.13 per $100 of net assessed valuation, approximately $0.01 more than the current rate.

A NO vote will result in the possible loss of teachers, meaning increased class sizes and possible loss or reduction of special activities like music, arts, and sports. The school would continue to operate on its current override, which is fully funded for another year, before being reduced according to its phasing-down terms. Then, the district would need to request another Special Budget Override next year, deciding whether to keep to its current 14% or trying again to increase the override to 15%.

For more information:
Continental ESD Override Pamphlet