Tolleson UHSD ballot items rejected by voters amid district audit

PHOENIX – Two items that the Tolleson Union High School District had on the 2025 ballot were denied by voters amid a district audit.

TUHSD had a bond and a budget override on the Nov. 4 ballot. The district was asking for voters to approve a continuation of a maintenance and operations fund and to issue a $125 million bond.

Superintendent Jeremy Calles told KTAR News 92.3 FM the budget override failure will reduce the M&O budget for the next school year by $5.3 million, which will prevent the district from being able to increase teacher salaries.

Calles added the bond would have gone towards construction projects such as new buildings, concession stands and park areas.

“The most immediate project that the bond was going to fund was our JROTC building at Westview High School, which has been in non-compliance for several years now because we don’t have sufficient space for marksmanship,” Calles said.

There were 13,100 Tolleson voters who turned in ballots. The bond was denied 57.2%-42.8% and the budget override was rejected 55.9%-44.1%.

Major audit in Tolleson UHSD

This comes after the Arizona legislature issued an audit of the school district last month to look into alleged improper discipline and misuse of funding.

Calles said he believes the audit played a major role in the election results.

“The media coverage, absolutely. Just looking at the age group of this voting. I think it definitely had a significant impact,” Calles said.

Calles added that the projects will be pushed off until the bond can be put on the ballot again next year.

“Without the override, we have to reconsider … and it may be time for us to move back to our pre-pandemic offerings just like other districts have,” Calles said.

He explained that would mean having summer school opportunities only available for certain students instead of for all students.

Calles noted that half the voters were over the age of 65, which may have been a factor as well.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

Related

Maricopa County 2025 election results: Prop 409 passes, ballot questions, school bonds, moreWest Valley school superintendent accused of misuse of taxpayer funds, misconductArizona Legislature issues audit for Tolleson Union High School DistrictSen. Mark Kelly proposes 2 bills to support young men and grow public serviceLawsuit challenges validity of thousands of ESA reform ballot measure signaturesKimberly Yee outlines education priorities after GOP primary win