What is an override?
An override is a mechanism which allows voters in a school district to approve additional funding for operational expenses for its schools that state funding does not cover. The override election would allow the district to exceed its budget by 15%. Since the district is requesting a continuation of the existing override in order to continue our academic programs, we do not expect a tax rate increase.
Why is the override necessary?
The override is necessary for us to continue to meet the needs of our current students and provide them with an excellent education.
What will the CUSD override do for our students?
The override will meet CUSD's needs in the following ways:
What is the difference between an override and a bond?
An override is for operational expenses including salaries, benefits, supplies, purchased services, utilities and insurance. An override allows the district to exceed its budget by up to 15%. A bond allows the district additional funding to use for capital items noted in the voter pamphlet. Capital items are big things and include new buildings, additions to buildings, land, school buses, renovations to buildings, furniture, equipment and technology.
How does Arizona fund schools?
Arizona funds its schools based on the number of students and the miles that students are transported. It is formula-based funding, and a school district’s budget limit does not increase or decrease if the assessed value in the district changes. Arizona provides a specific dollar amount per student for maintenance and operational expenses (salaries, benefits, supplies, services, utilities) and for capital (furniture, equipment, technology, vehicles, textbooks, library books, instructional aids).
What is the tax impact of a successful election?
Since the district is requesting a continuation of the existing override in order to continue our academic programs, we do not expect a tax rate increase. The current tax rate is $1.18.
Has CUSD demonstrated that they have been good stewards of taxpayer money?
According to the Arizona Auditor General’s office, CUSD has the highest dollars in the classroom of its peer districts. CUSD administrative costs and administrators per student are the lowest compared to its peers. The district annually has unqualified audits and is recognized for financial excellence in reporting by the Arizona Association of School Business Officials.
How does the community know that the district is providing a quality education and a good return on their investment?
Students and staff are routinely recognized at the state and national levels for their excellence in academics, fine arts and athletics. By the numbers...
How does the teacher pupil ratio in CUSD compare to other districts?
CUSD has an average teacher to pupil ratio of 24. In a self-reported study, Chandler had one of the lowest teacher pupil ratio of the surrounding districts.
How large is CUSD?
How is the community included in the district’s budget and financial decisions?
Taxpayers can count on the district to use funds wisely and for the items that voters have approved. The district utilizes a citizen’s budget committee to verify expenditures for maintenance and operation. When the district is considering a bond issue, a citizen’s growth committee is formed to help determine the must-have capital items. Please let us know if you want to participate.
Why not pressure the legislature to sufficiently fund public education rather than holding a bond election?
Arizona is considered to fund education among the lowest levels in the country. In fact, census bureau data ranks Arizona 49th in per pupil funding. Chandler Unified, along with school districts across Arizona, are advocating for state commitment to adequately fund public schools. However, what is extremely important to remember is that Chandler Unified has approximately 45,000 students enrolled right now... and they deserve a quality education today. They can’t wait for other funding to possibly become available sometime in the future.
Property values are increasing. Doesn't that mean more tax dollars for schools?
No. When the property values within the boundaries of CUSD increase from the previous year, it does not result in more money to the district. Voters can provide additional funding through approval of the override.
Many community members donate $400 to a school each year to obtain the Arizona tax credit. Why doesn’t the district just find new ways to get more people to donate?
By statute, tax credit must be used for extracurricular support for students. The District could not legally use it for regular expenditures such as new teachers, salaries, benefits, supplies or utilities. Tax credit is important for providing those out of school day opportunities for students, but it doesn’t provide more money for the district to spend. Expenditures in the classroom are prohibited by statute.
Important Election Dates?
October 4th: Voter registration deadline. To make sure that your voter registration is up to date visit www.azsos.gov/elections.
October 6th: Ballots will be mailed.
October 22nd: Last day to request an early ballot.
October 26th: Last day to mail in ballot. You can drop it in any mailbox. A dropbox will also be located at the district office from 10/6/2021.
November 2nd: Election Day! The CUSD district office, located at 1525 West Frye Road, is a polling site and will be open from October 25th to November 2nd from 6:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.
An override is a mechanism which allows voters in a school district to approve additional funding for operational expenses for its schools that state funding does not cover. The override election would allow the district to exceed its budget by 15%. Since the district is requesting a continuation of the existing override in order to continue our academic programs, we do not expect a tax rate increase.
Why is the override necessary?
The override is necessary for us to continue to meet the needs of our current students and provide them with an excellent education.
What will the CUSD override do for our students?
The override will meet CUSD's needs in the following ways:
- Ensure academic programming remains at its current level.
- Provide competitive salaries to help retain and attract highly qualified teachers and staff.
- Research confirms, one of the most important factors in student success is "quality teachers."
- There is a significant shortage in Arizona in classroom teachers and the override allows the district to help attract the best teachers.
- Continue instruction in the areas of technology, STEM, physical education, athletics, fine arts such as music, art, drama, foreign language and other electives.
- Promote a safe and healthy school environment.
- Maintain manageable class sizes.
What is the difference between an override and a bond?
An override is for operational expenses including salaries, benefits, supplies, purchased services, utilities and insurance. An override allows the district to exceed its budget by up to 15%. A bond allows the district additional funding to use for capital items noted in the voter pamphlet. Capital items are big things and include new buildings, additions to buildings, land, school buses, renovations to buildings, furniture, equipment and technology.
How does Arizona fund schools?
Arizona funds its schools based on the number of students and the miles that students are transported. It is formula-based funding, and a school district’s budget limit does not increase or decrease if the assessed value in the district changes. Arizona provides a specific dollar amount per student for maintenance and operational expenses (salaries, benefits, supplies, services, utilities) and for capital (furniture, equipment, technology, vehicles, textbooks, library books, instructional aids).
What is the tax impact of a successful election?
Since the district is requesting a continuation of the existing override in order to continue our academic programs, we do not expect a tax rate increase. The current tax rate is $1.18.
Has CUSD demonstrated that they have been good stewards of taxpayer money?
According to the Arizona Auditor General’s office, CUSD has the highest dollars in the classroom of its peer districts. CUSD administrative costs and administrators per student are the lowest compared to its peers. The district annually has unqualified audits and is recognized for financial excellence in reporting by the Arizona Association of School Business Officials.
How does the community know that the district is providing a quality education and a good return on their investment?
Students and staff are routinely recognized at the state and national levels for their excellence in academics, fine arts and athletics. By the numbers...
- The graduating class of 2021 earned a combined $159,344,605 million in college scholarship offers and 18,649 hours of college credit.
- CUSD has 94 A+ Schools of Excellence or National Blue Ribbon awards since 1983 with 84 percent of their schools receiving one of these awards.
- CUSD has 224 athletic state championships in the last 5 years.
- CUSD has a four year graduation rate of 93%.
- CUSD has 208 National Merit Finalists in the last 5 years.
- CUSD has 81 Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate offerings.
- CUSD had 6,566 AP exams taken in 2021.
- CUSD has 1,131 AP scholars.
- CUSD has had 10 Flinn Scholars in the last 5 years which represents 10% of Arizona.
- CUSD has 98 dual course offerings, 43 language offerings and 27 athletic offerings.
- CUSD has a student to teacher ratio of 24 to 1.
- 90% of parents rate CUSD with an A or B.
- A complete list of CUSD accomplishments can be read at: www.cusd80.com/accomplishments
How does the teacher pupil ratio in CUSD compare to other districts?
CUSD has an average teacher to pupil ratio of 24. In a self-reported study, Chandler had one of the lowest teacher pupil ratio of the surrounding districts.
How large is CUSD?
- CUSD has 45,000 students.
- CUSD has 80 square miles within district boundaries.
- CUSD has 1,000 acres of district land.
- CUSD has 5.5 million square feet of school space.
- CUSD is the second largest district in Arizona.
- CUSD is Chandler's second-largest employer.
How is the community included in the district’s budget and financial decisions?
Taxpayers can count on the district to use funds wisely and for the items that voters have approved. The district utilizes a citizen’s budget committee to verify expenditures for maintenance and operation. When the district is considering a bond issue, a citizen’s growth committee is formed to help determine the must-have capital items. Please let us know if you want to participate.
Why not pressure the legislature to sufficiently fund public education rather than holding a bond election?
Arizona is considered to fund education among the lowest levels in the country. In fact, census bureau data ranks Arizona 49th in per pupil funding. Chandler Unified, along with school districts across Arizona, are advocating for state commitment to adequately fund public schools. However, what is extremely important to remember is that Chandler Unified has approximately 45,000 students enrolled right now... and they deserve a quality education today. They can’t wait for other funding to possibly become available sometime in the future.
Property values are increasing. Doesn't that mean more tax dollars for schools?
No. When the property values within the boundaries of CUSD increase from the previous year, it does not result in more money to the district. Voters can provide additional funding through approval of the override.
Many community members donate $400 to a school each year to obtain the Arizona tax credit. Why doesn’t the district just find new ways to get more people to donate?
By statute, tax credit must be used for extracurricular support for students. The District could not legally use it for regular expenditures such as new teachers, salaries, benefits, supplies or utilities. Tax credit is important for providing those out of school day opportunities for students, but it doesn’t provide more money for the district to spend. Expenditures in the classroom are prohibited by statute.
Important Election Dates?
October 4th: Voter registration deadline. To make sure that your voter registration is up to date visit www.azsos.gov/elections.
October 6th: Ballots will be mailed.
October 22nd: Last day to request an early ballot.
October 26th: Last day to mail in ballot. You can drop it in any mailbox. A dropbox will also be located at the district office from 10/6/2021.
November 2nd: Election Day! The CUSD district office, located at 1525 West Frye Road, is a polling site and will be open from October 25th to November 2nd from 6:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.
