The Fountain Hills Unified School District will seek a Maintenance and Operations budget override during the Nov. 7 election. This is a continuation of the override already in place that provides about $1 million annually to local schools. The only major difference is that the proposed override is for 15 percent rather than the current 13.

The board voted at its June 14 regular session to place the question on the ballot for voters in the upcoming election. The proposal calls for an all-mail ballot. The only other local item scheduled to appear on the ballot will be the election for two seats on the Fountain Hills Sanitary District board of directors.

Purpose

As far as what the override provides FHUSD, monies are currently planned to impact the following areas:

*Maintain all-day kindergarten.

*Provide teacher salary increases.

*Provide professional development.

*Hire additional staff for reading literacy support.

*Financially reward staff for outstanding performance.

*Enable the District to maintain its programs.

These are considered general areas and could be redirected over the course of the override, depending on what is deemed best by the current Governing Board.

Whereas capital funds go toward the physical aspects of maintaining a school district, an M&O override goes toward teachers and programs.

Rates

The full budget override amount is estimated to be $1,115,857 annually and would be funded with an estimated $0.24 tax rate per $100 of net assessed valuation for secondary property taxes. This is approximately $0.03 higher than the tax rate for the existing override.

In an override fact sheet being distributed by the local district, it is explained that the shift from 13 to 15 percent (the maximum amount) is so the district “can maintain current programs and increase teacher pay and staff compensation.”

If the increased override is approved, it will result in approximately an additional $3 in the yearly property tax per $100,000 of assessed value of a home, or about $24 per $100,000 of assessed value of a home, total.

Support

Denise Weinreich, Override Committee Chair, said she and other members of the community are trying to spread the word about the benefits an M&O override provides FHUSD. Several of those individuals will have arguments in favor of the override published in the voter information packets. No arguments against the measure were submitted.

Weinreich said that, as a parent, business owner and property owner in Fountain Hills, she has a vested interest in the local schools.

“Because of my kids I’ve become very involved in the district, so I understand their financial struggles,” Weinreich said. “I also understand how important these overrides are when faced with the less-than-desirable state funding we get for education.”

Fountain Hills has traditionally supported the override, which Weinreich said demonstrates an understanding of the importance of a thriving school system within a community.

“The schools are the backbone of a community,” she added. “It’s important for a number of reasons; property values being one. But good schools attract families, which is a strategic priority for the town. So we need to continue to invest in our schools to make sure we have a good product to offer when families are looking at Fountain Hills.”

Weinreich said that losing M&O financing would be “devastating” for FHUSD. She reiterated that an M&O override benefits “teachers and programs,” allowing taxpayers to directly contribute to those areas specifically for local schools.

“[Override funds] are not for extras and nice-to-haves,” she added. “They are used for vital elements like staff salaries and full-day kindergarten…The fact is that we’re near or at the bottom of state level funding.”

Weinreich said more information can be found online. Search for “Friends of Fountain Hills Schools” on Facebook or visit yesforfhstudents.com.

Background

In a letter authorized for publication in the election publicity pamphlet, the proposal states that the override is “part of the district’s ‘funding foundation’ and cannot be replaced with other funds.”

The statement goes on to say “the Maintenance and Operations override is vital to the academic success of our students. FHUSD provides unequaled educational experiences for our students and is ranked as a top district in Maricopa County and the State of Arizona.”

The current Maintenance and Operations override went into effect in 2013 and lasts for seven years.

So why is the District considering renewal of the override just four years into its lifespan? Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sweeney explained to the Governing Board at a recent meeting that, if an override is not renewed by the sixth year, the funds available to the District are reduced by a third. A year later, they reduce by another third. After that, they are gone.

The District began year four of its current override in August.

If an override is not passed this November, then the District would have a second opportunity to seek approval in 2018. If met with failure both times, that would mean a reduction in monies of $328,000 beginning in 2019.

Election

The election is to be a mailed ballot only election with no polling sites provided, though Sweeney said a “ballot center” will be established at the Learning Center from Oct. 28 to Nov. 7. Ballots will be mailed to qualified electors living within the district no earlier than 26 days prior to the election and no later than 15 days prior to the election. Ballots must be received or dropped off at one of the ballot drop box locations designated by the county elections department no later than 7 p.m. Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017.

The last day to register to vote in this election is Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Ballots are expected to hit the mail Oct. 11.