Paradise Valley board orders two tax override elections after polling shows persuadable middle

The Paradise Valley Unified School District governing board voted to order two override elections for the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, approving a resolution to preserve the district's maintenance and operations funding and to continue a district additional assistance (DAA) levy. The resolutions authorize staff to deliver ballot language and related materials to Maricopa County by the June deadlines.

The vote followed a staff presentation on timing, costs and likely tax impacts and a detailed polling report by First Strategic. Mrs. Vergon, the district lead on the override planning committee, described the recommended option as maintaining the M override at 15% of the revenue control limit and increasing the DAA dollar amount to $6,730,000 while keeping the DAA tax rate stable.

Why it matters: If approved by voters, the M override would continue a district funding stream tied to the revenue control limit; the DAA dollar amount funds instructional materials and support vehicles the district does not fund from bond proceeds. District staff estimated the combined household impact at several hundred dollars annually on a sample home and explained that assessed-value increases help moderate per-$100,000 tax-rate outcomes.

Polling and staff rationale: Bob Charles of First Strategic presented a district poll of 450 respondents and told the board the district was in a "very strong starting position," but cautioned that undecided voters tended to break toward opposition when they heard attacks framing the measures as a "permanent tax." He said program-focused messages (teacher retention, academic programs, CTE and arts) were the most persuasive.

"You all are in a very strong starting position," Bob Charles said, noting a gap between locked support and the persuadable middle that a campaign should target.

Board action and key numbers: The board adopted resolutions to call the M override election (Resolution No. 598) and the DAA override election (Resolution No. 599). The transcript records the votes as passing with a 3—2 tally on each override resolution (three yeses, one nay) and shows later approval of the FY2025—2026 budget revision and acceptance of donations by higher majorities.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows the following recorded outcomes: Resolution 598 (M override) 900: adopted (vote recorded in transcript as 3 yes, 1 no); Resolution 599 (DAA) 900: adopted (3 yes, 1 no); FY2025—2026 Budget Revision No. 2 900: approved (4—0); Acceptance of gifts and donations 900: approved (4—0); slate of administrative personnel employment actions 900: approved (grouped motions; most recorded as 4—0).

Tax-cost and timeline details: Staff explained that maintaining a 15% M override and increasing the DAA dollar amount to $6,730,000 would leave estimated district tax rates largely stable because of rising assessed values; staff projected an approximate M amount near $29—30 million and stressed these are estimates. Key election dates noted by staff: June 8 (deliver ballot language to the county), July 21 (primary in this calendar year context), Oct. 7 (early general-election ballots mailed), Nov. 3 (election day).

What's next: With the board's action the district will prepare the official ballot language and the required voter information pamphlet statements. Staff and the polling firm recommended targeted voter outreach focused on women and certain age cohorts to maximize persuadable turnout.

Ending: Board members asked for clarifying language in outreach about accountability and how the dollars would be used; staff said more precise ballot materials and campaign messaging will follow. The board will revisit related materials as they finalize ballot arguments and the voter pamphlet content.