Educators agree that the property value of a school district should not determine the quality of education, but reality does not play out that way.
ARIZONA, USA — Educators generally agree that a school district’s property value should not determine the quality of a child’s education. But new numbers released to 12 News reveal how local ties and overrides are creating disparities across Arizona.
Bonds and overrides are voter-approved local property tax increases. They cover all kinds of expenses: full-time kindergartens, teacher pay raises, technology, major repairs, building new schools.
Report by Anabel Aportela, nonprofit education consultant Education Reform Financial Group An overview of what happened in Arizona in the last 20 years. Despite the success of most elections each year, many school districts have consistently failed to pass bond deposits and overrides.
Most Phoenix area districts pass security deposits and overrides
Most of the districts that have consistently delivered bond and priority since 2003 are concentrated in Maricopa County. Although there are exceptions, rural school districts are less likely to pass. Districts where voters consistently support increasing local taxes include: Glendale Union (9 out of 10), Alhambra Elementary School District (10 for 12), Phoenix Union High School District (11 for 13), tempe school (12 vs 12), Mesa Unified (7 vs. 8), and Flagstaff Unified (12 vs 11).
Since the 2008 recession, other districts have seen mixed results. Peoria Unified (42 schools) are 4 to 9. Dysart Unified (27 schools) is 3/9. Queen Creek Unified (17 schools) is 5 out of 11.
Meanwhile, three districts in the East Valley suffered the most. JO Coms Unified (8 schools) is 1 in 6. Apache Junction Unified (6 schools) is 0 at 6. Cave Creek Unified (7 schools) is 1 in 6.
Dr. Paul Tighe, executive director of Arizona School Administrators, Inc., said the state’s equalization system of funding schools is one of the best in the country, but communities are handing over bonds and voiding elections. He said that ability makes a difference. Tighe said the state is not good at providing uniform funding over the long term.
“Because the state has failed to provide for the establishment and maintenance of adequate and uniform public school facilities, these mechanisms (deposits and overrides) have been used in many ways to provide safe schools, technology, and transportation to serve students. It’s been essential for our district,” said Tighe.
Cave Creek Unified has a low average teacher salary ($50,000) compared to neighboring school districts with successful bond and priority passages. The average salary is $58,600 at Scottsdale Unified, $56,600 at Paradise Valley Unified, and $54,700 at Deer Valley Unified.
A sharp contrast in local funding
The data also reveals marked contrasts in local funding in some parts of the state. For example, the largest school district in Southern Arizona, Tucson Unified (89 schools), one in seven. Catalina Foothills Unified (8 schools) is 12 to 12. Marana Unified (17 schools) are 7 to 9. tank verde unified (4 schools) are 8 to 11.
In northern Arizona, Campeverde Unified (3 schools) is 0 for 2. Cottonwood Oak Creek Elementary School District (4 schools) is 6 to 6. Flagstaff Unified (16 schools) is 11 out of 12.
The state’s budget passed last June includes nearly $1 billion in new annual funding and weighted funding per student in rural areas. However, this formula will not take effect until the Arizona Legislature votes to increase the spending cap known as the Total Expenditure Limit (AEL). Charter school waives her AEL.
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