2026 - Prop 320
Proposition 320 is a statewide ballot measure that Arizona voters will consider in November 2026.
If approved, it would require certain school districts—including districts with at least 7,500 students or those operating in counties with populations of at least 500,000—to spend at least 60% of their operational spending on direct instructional expenses, as defined by the Arizona Auditor General. Districts that do not meet the requirement would be expected to make annual progress toward compliance and could face reductions in Classroom Site Fund funding, subject to limited waivers.
Fiscal Year 24-25 Auditor General District Spending Report
Fiscal Year 2024-2025 is the most recent report on District Spending.
| Classification | Amt. Per Student | Total Amt. Per Classification | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instruction | $6,959 | $135,122,903 | 54.0% |
| Student Support | $1,449 | $28,135,233 | 11.3% |
| Instruction Support | $683 | $13,261,811 | 5.3% |
| Administration | $1,146 | $22,251,882 | 8.9% |
| Plant Operations | $1,724 | $33,474,908 | 13.4% |
| Food Service | $420 | $8,155,140 | 3.3% |
| Transportation | $495 | $9,611,415 | 3.8% |
| Total Operational | $12,876 | $250,013,292 | 100% |
What would it look like if Scottsdale had spent 60% on Instruction? That would have required the district to spend $14.9 million more in direct instruction and $14.9 million less in the other areas mentioned above.
What is Instruction? Teachers, teachers’ aides, substitute teachers, instructional supplies, instructional aides, field trips, athletics and extracurricular activities.
What is Student Support? Guidance counselors, speech pathologist, nurses, social workers, and attendance.
What is Instructional Support? Librarians, teacher training, curriculum development, special education directors and instruction-related technology.
What is Administration: Superintendents, principals, finance office, clerical and other staff who perform accounting, payroll, purchasing, warehouse, printing, human resources, and information technology.
What is Plant Operations? Equipment repair, building maintenance, custodial, groundskeeping, security, utilities and property insurance.
Non-Direct Instruction Expenses: A breakdown of costs
These are examples of costs that are not direct instruction expenses
| Classification | Amounts | Category |
|---|---|---|
| All Social Workers | $1,882,720.19 | Student Support |
| All Nurses | $1,821,972.08 | Student Support |
| All Guidance Councelors | $2,922,678.96 | Student Support |
| All Librarian/Librarian Resource | $2,301,779.00 | Instruction Support |
| All Assistant Principals | $4,192,685.58 | Administration |
| All Travel and Mileage | $726,787.66 | Administration |
| All SRO's/Police at events | $1,517,841.93 | Plant Operation |
| All School Security Guards | $1,579,726.09 | Plant Operation |
| Cleaning | $3,794,652.00 | Plant Operation |
| Utilities | $12,648,359.00 | Plant Operation |
| Field Trip and Athletics Transportation | $683,442.22 | Transportation |