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Tolleson board approves placing maintenance-and-operations override increase on the ballot
Summary
Trustees approved placing a maintenance-and-operations override question on the ballot to restore the override toward 15%, with staff saying the funds primarily pay for salaries and benefits (counselors, nurses, bus drivers, CTE programs) and that failure to pass would reduce annual revenue by millions.
The Tolleson Union High School District board voted to place a maintenance-and-operations (M&O) override question on the ballot to restore funding toward the full 15% level. Superintendent Kayous explained the override had entered a phasedown; returning to 15% would prevent an estimated multi-million dollar annual revenue decline and maintain current staffing levels for counselors, nurses, bus drivers and CTE programs.
Superintendent Kayous said the override dollars principally fund salaries and benefits and directly affect programs and staffing: "The override helps us cover programs — counselors, social workers and CTE programs — and when you impact our people you are impacting the students," she said (paraphrased).
Board members discussed ballot language implications because the override had entered a phasedown; state statute requires the question be presented as a budget increase rather than a continuation. Trustees voted to put the question before voters so the community can decide whether to restore the funding level. The board also directed staff to provide outreach and explanatory materials showing how the override dollars are used.
Vote: Motion to place the M&O override question on the ballot carried by roll call with recorded yes votes by President Chapman, Vice President Del Palacio, Member Ortega‑Romero and Member Sun.
