Prescott Unified board begins planning for possible 2026 bond and override, but takes no formal vote

The Prescott Unified School District governing board spent substantial time discussing whether to pursue a bond and/or a maintenance-and-operation (M&O) override in 2026. The board did not make any binding decision at the meeting but directed staff to prepare planning materials, timelines and community outreach steps for future consideration.

Why it matters: A bond pays for capital projects (roofs, HVAC, building repairs, buses, technology and site work). An override increases ongoing M&O revenue (most commonly used for salaries and staff). District leaders said state building-renewal funds are limited and that a local measure would be the district's primary tool for larger, sustained facility and staffing investments.

What board members discussed: Members and staff reviewed past local results (the district passed a bond in 2015 and failed a larger measure in 2020), demographic and turnout dynamics, and the practical effects of asking for both a bond and an override on one ballot. Staff noted the county process that finances ballot placement in even-numbered years and recommended targeting the November 2026 election if the board chooses to proceed. The board heard that the county may help pay ballot costs for even-year measures but not for odd-year elections.

Board members emphasized several considerations for the planning stage: - Keep the proposed tax ask within a range the community will accept; very large asks risk failure and could force future cuts if an ongoing override does not pass on renewal. - Build a diverse outreach committee to educate voters (not only parents), including retirees and business stakeholders, because Prescott has high homeownership and fewer commercial tax bases than some other districts. - Prepare clear, concise materials showing what previous bond funds paid for, the state's limited role in building renewal funding, and what the proposed new proceeds would fund (for example: prioritized items such as critical roofs, HVAC, single-point entry security, and instructional technology). - Start education and grassroots effort well ahead of a June board vote that would place a measure on a November ballot; consultants and prior committee members recommended beginning community outreach at least the fall before a November election.

Administration's next steps: Staff will prepare a proposed timeline, updated project priority list and tax-impact scenarios (sample models were demonstrated during the meeting) and return to the board with suggested committee membership and outreach strategy. Board members suggested involving community leaders who succeeded on the 2015 measure, recruiting volunteers across neighborhoods and using a data-driven approach to determine an ask amount.

Ending Board members expressed general openness to pursuing an even-year ballot (2026), but agreed they need a structured timeline, a community advisory group and clear cost-and-benefit materials before any formal vote to place a measure on the ballot.