Now more than ever, continuing the Fountain Hills Unified School District operations and maintenance budget override is critical for our community’s children. As our state has decreased per student spending over the years, it is clear that our local option to continue to supplement operations and maintenance funding is necessary.

According to the non-partisan Center on Budgeting and Policy Priorities, Arizona leads the nation in school spending cuts since 2008. Thirty-five states have decreased public school support since 2008, and Arizona leads the pack in reducing funds by almost 22 percent.

The rest of the bottom five…Alabama, Oklahoma, Idaho and South Carolina.

Without continuance of the override, Fountain Hills’ schools will face losing even more… $1,000,000 annually in supplemental funding… money used to continue (free) all-day K, teacher aides in primary grades, salaries, training and professional development.

The operations and maintenance budget override is a local Fountain Hills option that has been in place since the late ‘90s. It is not an increase in your taxes. It has helped our school children excel in test scores and helped the district maintain its near-the-top excellence ratings.

All three of my sons were fortunate to benefit from strong community support during their K-12 experience, which set them and their classmates on the road to successful higher education and career opportunities.

Your vote of yes for the override will continue to provide important local supplemental funding for our students.