Apples draw attention to school’s override campaign

Maricopa will be taking on a decidedly apple flavor next week with a new opportunity for residents of all ages to show their support for the school district’s override bid.[quote_box_right]Businesses participating in Apples for the Override so far:
Brooklyn Boys
Crate Coffee
Hart Computer Solutions
Headquarters
K’Bella Salon & Day Spa
Napa Auto Parts
Raceway Bar & Grill
Tacos ‘n’ More
Yes! Beauty Supply
Yogurt Jungle [/quote_box_right]

“’Apples for the Override” is a promotion for the override that people are going to see in local businesses they go to daily,” said Joshua Judd, who is on the Vote Yes, Maricopa committee.

Maricopa Unified School District is seeking a 10-percent budget override, which is on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Paper apples will be available at cash registers of participating businesses. Supporters of the override can can also donate to the cause and they can write their names on the apples and have them displayed in the store.

The idea for “Apples for the Override” was Judd’s after he saw the kind of attention similar campaigns received for other causes.

Judd has three children attending Pima Butte Elementary and he is a familiar face at school events and promoting school improvement.

“I grew up in Connecticut where the state’s per-student spending is double what it is here,” he said.

Judd has been involved in past override attempts but said he feels a different tone this year. In the past, he said, there has been a lack of knowledge of how the school funding system works. Now many residents see the override as “kind of local control,” he said.

“We have all political sides on this,” he said. “The mayor’s a big supporter and [Councilmembers] Bridger [Kimball] and of course Vincent [Manfredi].”

Another ongoing campaign to draw attention to the override is the “Leap of Faith,” in which supporters like Mayor Christian Price jump into the pool in work clothes.

Check out how that is going and learn more about the override on the Facebook page Vote Yes Maricopa. Businesses that want to participate in “Apples for the Override” may also call Judd at 480-330-9130. Apples will be on display starting Aug. 1.