2025 November Election Information

Maintenance and Operations and District Additional Assistance Override Facts 

This section provides information regarding the upcoming Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Override and District Additional Assistance (DAA) Continuation on the November 2025 ballot.

What is an Override?  It is NOT a tax increase.

In Arizona, school districts are subject to a state-imposed budget limit. An override is a special election that allows voters to authorize a school district to exceed this limit, providing a dedicated source of local funding. This funding is critical for maintaining programs and services that are not fully supported by state funding.

What's on the Ballot?

The Phoenix Elementary School District #1 (Phoenix #1) is seeking voter approval for two separate measures in the November 2025 election:
Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Override Continuation: This measure would continue the current M&O override, which funds the day-to-day operations of the district. M&O funds are used for things like:

• Teacher and staff salaries
• Arts and music programs
• Classroom supplies and materials
• Academic programs and curriculum
• Student support services (counseling, nursing, etc.)
• Transportation
• Maintaining manageable class sizes

District Additional Assistance (DAA) Override: This override provides funding for capital expenditures. DAA funds are used for things like:

• Preventative maintenance on buildings and systems
• Purchase and replacement of technology
• Curricular resources
• Updating facilities to ensure student safety

Why is this Election Important for Phoenix #1?
Maintain Current Programs and Services: The funding from these overrides is essential for maintaining the current level of educational programs, including music and arts, and student support services in Phoenix #1. Without a successful vote, the district would face significant budget reductions.
Recruit and Retain High-Quality Staff: A large portion of the M&O override is used to fund staff salaries. This funding is crucial for attracting and retaining qualified teachers and staff in a competitive job market.
Prevent Class Size Increases: M&O funds help the district maintain smaller, more effective class sizes, which directly benefits student learning.
Keep Facilities and Technology Up-to-Date: The DAA funds ensure that the district can keep its buildings in good repair, ensuring student safety and providing students with the technology needed for a modern education.

Key Election Information
Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Early Voting Begins: October 8, 2025
Last day to register to vote: October 6, 2025

The Phoenix #1 Governing Board has placed these measures on the ballot to give the community the opportunity to decide if they want to continue providing this local support for their schools. This is not an increase to your taxes.  Your vote will directly impact the educational future of students in Phoenix Elementary School District #1.

Sale, Lease, or Exchange of District Property: Election Facts

This section provides information regarding the upcoming sale, lease, or exchange of District property initiative on the November 2025 ballot.

Which district properties are on the ballot?
Our Governing Board voted to place all properties not already approved by our voters on the ballot.  The properties you will see on the ballot are:

• Dunbar
• Heard
• Emerson
• Herrera
• Lowell
• Emerson Court
• Bethune 
• Capitol
• Faith North
• Garfield
• Kenilworth
• Magnet
• Shaw
• Whittier
• Edison

Other District properties the voters already authorized for consideration of sale, lease or exchange include:

• Plant Services
• Ann Ott
• Fillmore Property
• New Times Building (Booker T. Washington)
• Monterrey Park

A “yes” vote gives the District more flexibility to make the best use of its properties and ensure resources support students, teachers, and schools without raising taxes.  The District does not intend to sell properties, but is interested in utilizing available land for long-term leases, similar to those of the properties listed above.

How can the District sell, lease, or exchange certain school properties?
The Governing Board has stated it does not intend to sell the properties, but believes the voter approval to give the District permission to enter into long-term leases of usable school property will allow the District to responsibly manage its school sites to generate revenue that can be reinvested directly into student learning—without raising taxes.

What can the revenue for these long-term leases be used for?
If approved, the District could use the money from these sales or leases to construct or improve buildings or classrooms, purchase school buses or other vehicles, and cover other allowable capital expenses, including upgrading safety infrastructure and playgrounds across the district.

Key Election Information
Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Early Voting Begins: October 8, 2025
Last day to register to vote: October 6, 2025