Maricopa County Voters Can Cast A Ballot Until 7 P.M. Tonight

PHOENIX, AZ — It’s that time once again for Maricopa County residents to cast their ballots by 7 p.m. tonight — if they haven’t done so already. This election is described as a mail-in ballot election, but those who have misplaced or didn’t receive a ballot for this election can cast a ballot in person at any of 30 designated locations across the Phoenix Metro valley by tonight. Or those who have their mail-in ballots but didn’t mail them in early can drop them off at any of the 30 ballot replacement and drop-off centers too.

While there’s not a lot on the ballot this election, azcentral.com reported that several school districts serving the city of Phoenix have measures for voters to cast their balloted opinions on. Here’s what you need to know about what each is asking voters to approve funding for:

Deer Valley Unified School District — Voters will decide on whether to renew a $30 million operations and maintenance override in addition to a $175 million bond. The bond would cover school building renovations, school bus replacements, technology improvements and increased campus security. The override would mean classes stay the same size as now; otherwise, classes might gain three additional students. The override would also go toward extracurricular activities, full-day kindergarten continuance and support for school staff including counselors.

Fowler Elementary School District — Ballots will indicate whether the district’s $3.4 million operations and maintenance override is renewed. The override would pay for existing art, music and physical education programs. It would also likely keep class sizes at current numbers.

Madison Elementary School District — Up for voter approval is renewal of a $5 million override for operations and maintenance, which would cover teacher recruitment and retention, curriculum, and staff and student support. Also up to voters: a $90 million bond, which would fund building maintenance, school renovations, security improvements, technology and transportation.

Murphy Elementary School District — The district needs voter authorization to sell Garcia Elementary School and to get a $500,000 additional assistance override. Garcia Elementary has several problems such as high air contaminant levels and leaky roofs. The override would cover curriculum materials, student transportation equipment, increased campus security, and technology.

Paradise Valley Unified School District — The district is requesting a $6.4 million assistance override and a $236 million bond. The bond would pay for new school buses, security and fire system updates, new school land purchases and building renovations. The override would go toward building maintenance and class materials.

Pendergast Elementary School District — Voters will decide on a $7.6 million operations and maintenance override for free full-day kindergarten continuance, class size maintenance and continued enrichment programs such as art, music and physical education.

Phoenix Elementary School District — The district requests renewal of a $3 million assistance override to cover school bus replacement and repair, technology maintenance, furnishing replacements, school campus upgrades and instructional materials.

Scottsdale Unified School District — Voters will decide whether to renew a $21.4 million operations and maintenance override, which would allow the district to maintain athletic and world languages programs, all-day kindergarten classes, art and music and current class sizes.

Tempe Elementary School District — The district requests that voters approve a $35 million assistance override and a $9.6 million override for operations and maintenance. The assistance override bond would fund musical instrument replacement; school technology; school equipment and furniture; and district cloud security, website and firewall software. The operations and maintenance override funding would cover after-school intervention programs and salaries for 36 additional K-5 teachers, 35 music teachers, 30 physical education teachers, 22 gifted education teachers, 15 counselors and 7 full-day kindergarten teachers.

Tolleson Union High School District — Voters will weigh in on the district’s requested $125 million bond to help with providing school building maintenance, increased campus security, new school construction and furniture, equipment and technology. It would also go toward school ground improvement and school bus replacement. The district is also asking voter approval to sell a parcel of land at the southeast corner of West Broadway Road and South Dysart Road.

For the full list of Phoenix metro valley school district bonds and overrides appearing on this election’s ballots, go to azcentral.com.