More than $600 million in bonds, overrides on ballot in Maricopa County

PHOENIX — Candidates aren’t the only ones trying to gain support from voters this election as school districts across the Valley are hoping voters will also approve their bonds and overrides.

A total of 18 school districts in Maricopa County are asking voters to support measures that will bring in extra funding for schools. Collectively, the bonds and overrides on the November ballot are worth more than $600 million.

“There was a time in Arizona when we funded our schools to where these bonds and overrides were kind of for extras,” Arizona Education Association President Joe Thomas said. “But now they’re quite essential to have enough funds to keep the schools open.”

Bonds provide funding for long-term projects, such as building new schools, repairing existing buildings and investing in technology.

Overrides typically increase a district’s maintenance and operation budget by up to 15%. The funds are mainly used to support school staff and programs.

Most school districts are asking for either a bond or an override.

The Peoria Unified School District is asking voters to approve both.

The district has a $125 million bond on the ballot, much of which would go toward renovations and improvements of school buildings and equipment.

“We definitely have school buildings and other facilities that range in age,” PUSD Superintendent Dr. Jason Reynolds said. “And, of course, as buildings and facilities get older, they require more and more care.”

“That’s what part of our bond goes to, and that is to ensure our buildings are safe and provide a great working and learning environment for our staff and students.”

The Peoria Unified School District is also asking voters for a continuation of a current maintenance and operation override, which voters initially approved in 2015. It would help pay for teacher salaries, school nurses, full-day kindergarten and programs focused on art, reading and physical education.

The Roosevelt School District also needs funds to repair and renovate aging buildings. Most of the $90 million bond the district is asking voters to approve would go toward that.

“We have buildings that are aging,” said Dr. Richard Ramos, executive director of innovation and learning for the district. “We need rooftops. Some of our buildings have weathered over the course of time, and we have some foundations that are splitting.”

A portion of the bond would also pay for buses that are more environmentally friendly.

Ramos noted the bond is needed given the district’s annual capital funding from the state has decreased by nearly $30 million over the last decade.

Meanwhile, the Buckeye Union High School District needs money to keep up with the student population growth.

The district is asking voters to approve an $87 million bond so the district can expand school campuses, add new classrooms, renovate existing facilities and provide supplies to schools, such as furniture and technology.

Jeff Simmons, associate superintendent of operations for the district, said all this would help keep pace with the district’s “hypergrowth.”

“I think our community, if they drive around in the Buckeye and south Goodyear area, they’re seeing the growth still coming even in these pandemic times,” Simmons said. “The homes are still going up and so we need a place for those kiddos.”

“I don’t think we’re asking for anything that’s not needed,” he added. “I think voters can see the kiddos are coming.”

A full list of the bonds and overrides that’ll be on the ballot for voters in Maricopa County can be found on the Maricopa County school superintendent’s website.

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