Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about the 2024 Balsz Schools Budget Override.
Why is the Balsz Elementary School District asking voters to renew the current Budget Override?
The BESD supports continuation of the Maintenance and Operation Override to ensure quality educational programs for all students in our community. The proposed override is a continuation of the existing 15% override that voters previously approved in 2020.
School districts in Arizona are allowed by state law to increase their Maintenance & Operations (M&O) budgets each year by up to 15% of the revenue control limit imposed by the state legislature.
If approved, the election authorizes an increase for seven years, but the override must be renewed every five years to maintain full funding. M&O Override funds are used to supplement the state funding formula and cannot be used to construct buildings or buy desks and computers. These dollars pay for employees and help provide a comprehensive education program.
How will students benefit if the Override is renewed?
A YES vote for renewing the current Budget Override would continue funding for programs currently serving District students, including:
- Full day kindergarten.
- Provide lower class sizes by maintaining the ratio of teachers to students in grades K-8.
- Offer Special Area instruction including Computer Science, Fine Arts, Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs.
- Provide after school co-ed sports and extracurricular programs for students.
- Funding to attract and retain highly qualified and competent teachers and support staff to educate students and serve our families.
- Continue to provide competitive salaries, benefits, and professional learning for district staff.
What happens if the Budget Override is not approved by voters?
If the override is not approved, the existing 15% override will phase out by reducing by one-third in 2026/2027 and another one-third in fiscal year 2027/2028. Because the override does not phase down until fiscal year 2026/2027, the proposed override budget will equal the 2025/2026 alternate budget. it is estimated that the total amount of the override for fiscal year 2025/2026 will be $2,500,000.
This will require a budget cut and will affect current levels of service, programs and staffing.
How much will this Budget Override cost homeowners?
Since this ballot issue is a continuation of the current Budget Override approved by voters in 2020, renewal of the Budget Override will have minimal impact to property taxes.
The estimated secondary tax rate for the proposed override is approximately equal to the existing secondary tax rate for the current override, as this override will maintain programs that have been in place with prior year’s override approvals. There will be NO TAX RATE INCREASE.
The estimated annual cost to an owner of a home with a limited property value of $174,700 (the average value of a home in the District) would not change from the current average tax of $111.
When will the Budget Override be on the ballot?
The Balsz Budget Override will be on the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 ballot. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Early voting for this measure will start October 9. Last day for voter registration is October 7. Last day to request an Early Ballot is October 25. Last day to mail back your Early Ballot is October 29.