Chandler Unified study session: committee urges continuation of 15% override and forwards two scaled bond options

The Chandler Unified School District Governing Board heard a study-session presentation on district tax overrides and bond-authority options, and a citizens advisory committee formally recommended continuing the district's existing 15% maintenance-and-operations (M&O) override and forwarded two scaled bond packages to the Board for consideration.

District staff said the Board must decide by June 11 whether to call elections for a continuation of the M&O override and for new bond authorization. "You'll have the opportunity to have any comments or give us feedback because on June 11 will be the time when the board makes a decision whether to call for an election for both a maintenance and operation continuation override, and then also for a new authorization of bond authority," district presenter Mrs. Barry said during the presentation.

The advisory committee voted at its May 1 meeting to recommend continuation of the 15% override and to forward two bond options. Committee leadership reported that the bond committee "voted unanimously to recommend option 2 at $271,500,000, and option 3 at $199,400,000," and that the committee "unanimously recommended the continuation of the 15% maintenance operation override." The recommendations are advisory; the Board must adopt a resolution and call the election if it chooses to proceed.

Why it matters: The M&O override provides locally approved property-tax revenue the district uses mainly for salaries, benefits and classroom programs. District staff told the Board that overrides are voter-approved, generate additional tax revenue and have been in place for the district since the 1990s; the district's current 15% override has been in place since February 2013. Staff explained the mechanics and timing of overrides: they are written for seven years but are fully funded for the first five years, after which funding phases down if not renewed.

What the committee recommended and how the packages differ: The committee presented four bond options in all. The largest, the package the district proposed in November 2024, totaled about $487,450,000 and failed. After community feedback and polling, staff said the district narrowed the scope and offered smaller options. The three smaller options discussed are: - Option 2: $271,500,000 (committee recommended) - Option 3: $199,400,000 (committee recommended) - Option 4: $154,000,000 (alternative presented; excludes Hartford rebuild and several future-initiative items)

Staff emphasized that the reduced bond packages focus on "maintaining and modernizing" schools and infrastructure rather than larger expansion or "future initiative" items. Bond language must break out certain categories (for example, pupil-transportation vehicles are separately listed); the district said it removed non-instructional furniture/equipment from the proposed bond language after community feedback.

Tax impact examples and timing: Staff gave the district's current combined tax rate context and estimates for additional levy amounts tied to each bond option. For example, district staff said a $271 million bond would add about $0.32 per $100 of secondary assessed value; staff estimated the continuation of the 15% override would add about $0.09 per $100 of secondary assessed value. Using the staff examples, a $100,000 home (secondary assessed value basis per the district's calculation) would pay about $32 a year for the $271 million bond plus about $109 a year for the override, or roughly $141 a year combined for those two items. Staff emphasized they will refine rate estimates with the district's financial advisers.

Committee process and next steps: Committee members met multiple times (January, February and May) to review history, polling and project lists. Committee leadership told the Board the advisory group sought voter input after last fall's failed bond, scaled the requests down in response to feedback, and voted on final recommendations May 1. Staff said Stifel (financial adviser) and the bond attorney will brief the Board on May 30 about tax-rate strategy, yields and timing; the Governing Board will vote on whether to call the election and adopt any required resolution and pro statement on June 11. If the Board calls an election, factual materials must be distributed in August and September and any campaign committees must register separately.

Discussion highlights and concerns: Board members asked for clarity about combined tax rates if both an override and bonds were placed on the ballot, and staff reviewed the illustrative math. Members also asked how the district would communicate factual information to voters and whether the committee discussed outreach; committee leaders and staff said the committee recommended targeted community messaging, videos and town-hall formats so voters better understand what the district is asking and what projects would be funded. Staff noted Stifel will return May 30 for a deeper financial briefing and to update property-value assumptions.

What was not decided: The Governing Board did not vote at the study session. The committee's recommendations are advisory; the Board must formally call for elections and approve ballot language and the district's single pro statement (a joint pro statement for the Board) if it chooses to proceed. Staff confirmed dates and legal constraints for elections (Arizona allows one district election date per year) and said board action would be on the June calendar.

Ending: The Board set May 30 for a Stifel financial briefing and June 11 as the meeting when members would decide whether to call an election on a continuation of the 15% override and on new bond authorization. The committee leaders said they are available to meet with Board members for follow-up questions before the June decision.