Excelling Teaching & Learning : K-3 Override
	Educational Funding — Overrides and Bonds Frequently Asked Questions

On June 16, the Governing Board approved placing a renewal for the K-3 Override on the November 3, 2009 ballot.

The K-3 Override was originally approved to provide all day Kindergarten for Scottsdale Unified School District. When the state provided funding for all day Kindergarten, we were able to support smaller class sizes in Kindergarten, 1, 2 and 3. The current state budget challenge may impact the funds provided by the state for all day Kindergarten. District leadership is continually monitoring the state budget process and will update this information as often as possible. If the state does not provide funding for all day Kindergarten, the K-3 Override would be used to continue our current all day Kindergarten program. We would not be able to continue to reduce class sizes in grades 1, 2 and 3.

Currently, the K-3 Override, which was passed by Scottsdale voters in 2005, reduces kindergarten class sizes 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 normal staffing ratios. Additional funds are used for instructional assistants in kindergarten and first grades as needed. The override raises about $3.2 million per year. 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.

Renewal of the K-Override will not increase property taxes above current levels.

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.