Proposition 320 Facts
What is Proposition 320?
Proposition 320 will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. If approved, it would require certain Arizona school districts to spend at least 60% of their operational spending on direct instructional expenses.
60% Minimum amount of operational spending that qualifying school districts would be required to spend on direct instructional expenses.
Who would it apply to?
- School districts with 7,500 or more students, regardless of location.
- All school districts in counties with more than 500,000 residents. This currently includes Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties.
- It applies to school districts, not charter schools.
What counts as direct instruction?
Under the current Arizona Auditor General definition, instructional spending includes:
- Teachers and teachers’ aides
- Substitute teachers and guest lecturers
- Instructional supplies and aids
- Field trips
- Athletics and cocurricular activities
- Tuition
What is not included as instructional spending?
Student Support Counselors, psychologists, nurses, therapists, and social workers.
Instruction Support Teacher training, instructional coaches, curriculum development, and librarians.
Administration Principals, assistant principals, superintendents, HR, and administrative staff.
Plant Operations Custodial services, maintenance, security, utilities, and groundskeeping.
Food Services Food supplies and costs associated with providing meals and snacks.
Transportation Bus drivers, mechanics, bus maintenance, and student transportation.
What if a district is below 60%?
Beginning in Fiscal Year 2028, a district spending less than 60% on direct instructional expenses would be required to increase that percentage by at least 0.5 percentage points each year until it reaches the required level.
The Arizona Auditor General would determine compliance.
What are the penalties for noncompliance?
The Arizona Department of Education would reduce a noncompliant district's Classroom Site Fund distribution based on the number of years of noncompliance.
25% 1 year
50% 2 years
75% 3 years
100% 4 years
Limited one-year waivers may be granted by the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction.
What is the Classroom Site Fund?
The Classroom Site Fund is administered by the Arizona Department of Education and is funded through a ½-cent sales tax.
Funds may be used for purposes including teacher compensation, class-size reduction, teacher development, intervention programs, dropout prevention, and student support services.
When would this begin?
FY 2028 | 2027–28 School Year
The 60% requirement begins.
The 60% requirement begins.
FY 2029 | 2028–29 School Year
Districts below 60% would be required to demonstrate the required annual increase.
Districts below 60% would be required to demonstrate the required annual increase.
FY 2030 | 2029–30 School Year
Classroom Site Fund reductions could first be applied for noncompliance.
Classroom Site Fund reductions could first be applied for noncompliance.
What does a Yes or No vote mean?
YES
Would enact the new requirements for qualifying school districts, including the 60% direct instructional spending requirement and funding reductions for noncompliance.
NO
Would maintain current laws governing school district budgets.