| Scottsdale Voters Approve K-3 Override! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The election results were: 18,473 – yes The benefits of the K-3 Override to our children are: • Better academic preparation The override continues to provide $3.4 million per year to fund lower class sizes at all of our elementary schools. Another important benefit of this override is that it will allow us to keep Kindergarten class sizes to a District-wide average of 21 students per 1 teacher. Additional funds will be used for instructional assistants in Kindergarten and first grades. Funding for the K-3 Override has a critical impact on the District’s budget, especially given the current funding situation for education in our state. In the years since this override was approved by voters, our state’s funding of education has decreased even more; we are now 50th in education funding in the United States. For more information about free, full-day Kindergarten and/or open enrollment, please contact your SUSD elementary school. For a complete list of our schools, please visit: Schools
 The K-3 Override was originally approved to provide all day Kindergarten for Scottsdale Unified School District. When the state provided funding for all day Kindergarten, we were able to support smaller class sizes in Kindergarten, 1, 2 and 3. The current state budget challenge may impact the funds provided by the state for all day Kindergarten. District leadership is continually monitoring the state budget process and will update this information as often as possible. If the state does not provide funding for all day Kindergarten, the K-3 Override would be used to continue our current all day Kindergarten program. We would not be able to continue to reduce class sizes in grades 1, 2 and 3.
SUSD Hosts Informal Discussions
Factual information regarding upcoming K-3 Override will be presented to the community at the five high school schools; 09/09 Arcadia, 09/16 Chaparral, 10/01 DHMS, 10/07 Saguaro, 10/28 Coronado.  see K-3 Complex Dates Printable Factual Information Flyer| en EspañolA special election will be held in Scottsdale Unified School District No. 48 of Maricopa County, Arizona, on November 3, 2009, At the following polling places | en Español For more information about full day-day kindergarten and/or open enrollment, please contact your school.  Click here for a list of schools
What is the purpose of the override? When was the election? How much money will this raise? Is that increase permanent? What will the money be used for? How do I know the money will be spent that way? Don’t you get funding from the state for this kind of program? Will this raise my tax rate? How will this benefit older students? What is the History of K-3 Override?
The K-3 Override, which was passed by Scottsdale voters in 2005, reduces kindergarten class sizes to a District-wide target of 21 students-to-1 teacher. These funds also allow us to reduce class sizes in grades 1-3 below normal staffing ratios. Additional funds are used for instructional assistants in kindergarten and first grades as needed. The override raises about $3.2 million per year. The override is in place for seven years and will be brought back to voters to be extended. If the K-3 Override is not renewed by the voters in 2009, it will reduce by one-third each year and result in an approximate loss of $3.5 million by 2011.
The election was held on May 17, 2005.
The maximum amount of the override is determined by a state formula based primarily on our enrollment. This override will raise about $3.2 million per year.
No. The override will be in place for seven years and will be brought back to voters to be extended. If the K-3 Override is not renewed by the voters in 2009, it will reduce by one-third each year and result in an approximate loss of $3.5 million by 2011.
The K-3 Override reduces kindergarten class size to a District-wide target of 21 students to 1 teacher. These funds also allow us to reduce class sizes in grades 1-3 below current staffing ratios. Additional funds are used for instructional assistants in kindergarten and first grade as needed. The override raises about $3.4 million per year.
Arizona law is very specific in how school districts can spend the money they receive. When we ask voters to approve a bond or an override, we must explain how the money will be used in advance, and we are required to use it for just those purposes. In addition, funds from this override will be audited each year to ensure they are being spent as promised.
No. Because Arizona ranks very low among the states in per-student funding of education, all of the funding our district receives goes to support existing programs.
This is a renewal of the existing K-3 Override. Your tax rate will not increase.
While funds from a K-3 override must by law be spent on those grade levels, students at every level in our district will benefit. Each student who enters our district increases the state funding we receive. This level of support for all K-3 learners in all schools results in smaller classes and provides more instructional time in the early years as a foundation for the future.
 Research Review 2005 Overview 2005 |
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Phone: 480-484-8614 Fax: 480-484-8669 480-484-8677 |
Community Schools 9313 N. 95th Way Scottsdale AZ 85258 MAP Karen Hearn, Director Christopher Thuman, Asst. Director |
