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Parents and supporters urge voters to pass Higley Unified bond override, warn of program cuts
Summary
Multiple parents and district volunteers urged the Higley Unified School District board to support the November bond-override measure, warning of program cuts, staffing reductions and increased class sizes if the override fails.
Several parents and community members used the public-comment period to urge the Higley Unified School District Governing Board to support the upcoming November bond override, saying the district would face cuts to arts, music, language programs and staff if voters reject the measure.
At the meeting Tracy White (spoke as Travis White in the transcript), a parent of a kindergartner in the Mandarin dual-immersion program, said the district has already made deep cuts and urged a “strong yes vote in favor of the upcoming bond override election this November.” He told the board the district had implemented $5,000,000 in cuts and eliminated “over 80 positions,” and that without the override essential programs — dual immersion, art, music, library and electives — could be reduced or eliminated.
Janet Wilt, a parent of two Coronado Elementary students who lives outside district boundaries but chose Higley because of its programs, said the override is a modest investment for homeowners and vital for maintaining programs the district offers. "For the average homeowner, it's $11 a month," she said, calling that amount an investment to keep programs that attract and retain families.
Corita Walker (also identified as a parent), said she moved to the district for Higley’s academic and language offerings and warned that failing to fund programs now would cause families to move away. She linked access to programs like Mandarin and music to future scholarship and workforce opportunities and urged the board and community to support the override.
Other speakers during public comment emphasized the value of art and music education in developing executive function, creativity and lifelong learning skills. Several speakers encouraged parents to use district channels to give positive staff feedback and to participate in district events.
No board action on the override occurred at the meeting; public comments were recorded to the minutes and will be part of the public record for board review ahead of any future formal board positions or campaign-related decisions.
