MUSD hopes voters see difference in Prop. 123 and override

School funding will get a lot of focus in 2016, and Maricopa Unified School District is hoping voters see the difference in two ballot issues – and the importance of each.

The statewide Proposition 123 has a special election in May, and an MUSD budget override proposal is on the general election ballot in November.

Both ballot measures would provide the district with much needed funding, but one cannot replace the other.

Prop. 123 is the result of a five-year lawsuit settlement between state legislators, the education community and Gov. Doug Ducey in October. The agreement allows Arizona schools to reclaim the money that was owed to them during the recession, but only if the voters approve it.

According to a press release from the “Let’s Vote Yes for Arizona Schools” committee, if the voters pass the proposal in a May 17 special election, Prop. 123 will deliver billions of dollars to schools through increased state appropriations. The measure does not raise taxes.

In November, MUSD will have a second ballot measure in front of voters. During the general election, the district has proposed a 10-percent budget override over seven years. If approved, the override would provide the school with approximately $3.2 million to hire more teachers, lower class sizes and improve the district’s education programs.

For MUSD Governing Board members, ensuring voters understand the difference between the two ballot measures is key to receiving the needed funding. The lawsuit settlement in May is money that is already owed to the district. The override is money the district needs from Maricopa residents. Neither negates the need for the other.

“Knowing that voters are already going to be going to the polls on May 17, voters have a very long memory when it comes to funding education,” Governing Board member Torri Anderson said. “They [may] think, ‘I already voted in May for education, so I don’t need to vote in November for education.’ So the percentage of ‘no’ votes could go up.”

However, the funding provided from November’s override vote will be used to lower class sizes and expand programs.

“Our staff wants to provide the best education possible for our students,” MUSD superintendent Steve Chestnut said. “[The override] would allow us to buy some additional resources to meeting that goal. I don’t think that money is the only thing we need to do to be an ‘A’ rated school district, but we know that additional resources can provide additional [teachers] and reduce class sizes.”

The “Let’s Vote Yes for Arizona Schools” committee is committed to raising awareness for Prop. 123 in May. It will be equally important for the district’s override committee to raise awareness for the vote in November, and ensure Maricopa residents understand the difference and need for both ballot measures.

“The district can only provide information and we will do that,” Chestnut said. “The budget committee has begun its work and they will be considering two scenarios – if 123 passes and if it fails. The board will consider those recommendations but they will make the final decisions. The board plans to communicate those decisions in a timely manner so that voters will be informed as they vote on the 123 issue.”