• What is the purpose of the override?
• When is the election?
• How much money will this raise?
• Will this raise my tax rate?
• What will the money be used for?
• How do I know the money will be spent that way?
• Don’t you get funding from the state for this kind of program?
• Are there other benefits?
• How will this benefit older students?

What is the purpose of the renewal of the K-3 Override?
The District is asking taxpayers for permission to continue the K-3 Override that was approved by voters in May 2005. The funds raised support the needs of students attending Kindergarten through third grade. The programs funded include:

• Reducing Kindergarten class size to a District-wide average of 21-to-1.
• Instructional programs in grades K-3 that best meet the needs of District students.
• Reducing class sizes in first through third grades by up to three students.
• Providing free full-day Kindergarten as a first priority if the State budget reduces the funding for this at anytime during the period of this override.

The override is in place for seven years and will be brought back to voters to be extended. If the K-3 Override is not renewed by the voters in 2009, it will reduce by one-third each year and result in an approximate loss of $3.5 million by 2011.

For more information about free full day kindergarten and/or open enrollment, please contact your SUSD elementary school. For a complete list of our schools, please visit: http://www.susd.org/district/ourschools/addressphone.cfm

When is the election?
The election will be held November 3, 2009.

How much money will this raise?
The maximum amount of the override is determined by a state formula based primarily on our enrollment. This override will raise about $3.4 million per year.

Will this raise my tax rate?
No, the renewal of the K-Override will not increase property taxes above current levels.

What will the money be used for?
The K-3 Override reduces kindergarten class size to a District-wide target of 21 students to 1 teacher. These funds also allow us to reduce class sizes in grades 1-3 below current staffing ratios. Additional funds are used for instructional assistants in kindergarten and first grade as needed. The override raises about $3.4 million per year.

For more information about full day-day kindergarten and/or open enrollment, please contact your SUSD elementary school. For a complete list of our schools, please visit: http://www.susd.org/district/ourschools/addressphone.cfm

How do I know the money will be spent as promised?
Arizona law is very specific in how school districts can spend the money they receive. When we ask voters to approve a bond or an override, we must explain how the money will be used in advance, and we are required to use it for only those purposes. In addition, funds from this override will be audited each year to ensure they are being spent as promised.

Don’t you get funding from the state for this kind of program?
No. Because Arizona ranks very low among the states in per-student funding of education, all of the funding our District receives from the state goes to support existing programs.

How will this benefit older students?
While funds from a K-3 override must by law be spent on those grade levels, students at every level in our district will benefit. Each student who enters our District increases the state funding we receive. This level of support for all K-3 learners in all schools results in smaller classes and provides more instructional time in the early years as a foundation for the future