MUSD set to vote on asking voters for budget override

The Maricopa Unified School District governing board may vote Wednesday whether to approve placing a budget override measure on the November election ballot.

The board began considering holding a special budget override election in April, after the Legislature voted to significantly cut next year’s public-charter school funding and then stop funding it all together.

The district will now receive $2.3 million from the state to operate its charters – less than the $3.7 million it had expected prior to the budget cut. Beginning with the 2015-16 school year, MUSD will receive none of the $3.7 million.

The board is considering four override options developed by an override committee: A 5 percent override would result in additional annual revenue of $1.525 million, a 7 percent override would generate $2.135 million, a 9 percent override $2.74 million and a 15 percent override $4.575 million.

The proposed term is seven years, and each of the options would provide an equal amount of revenue for the first five years, the report states. That amount would be reduced by one-third in the sixth year and another one-third in the seventh year, unless renewed by voters earlier.

The district hired a company to conduct an attitude and opinion survey that asked 300 registered voters if they would approve a new budget override.

According to the survey, 57 percent of those polled said they would vote “yes” compared to 34 percent who said they would vote “no.” Another 8 percent said they were unsure and 1 percent refused to answer.

According to a district tax table, a 5 percent override would increase the property tax rate on a home with an assessed value of $100,000 by $65 a year. A 7 percent override would increase the tax by $91. A 9 percent override would increase the tax by $175 and the 15 percent option would result in a $196 tax increase annually.

According to a district report, the override would pay for 22 to 78 additional teachers, depending on the rate approved, and fund additional support staff and new technology. 

***ADVERTISEMENT***The board meets at 6:30 p.m. at the District Office Administration Building, 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway. Click here to view the meeting agenda.