Flowing Wells Unified School District

Flowing Wells Unified School District No. 8

Voting without knowing what's on your ballot is like lighting your money on fire.

What is the upcoming election about?

In Proposition 497, Flowing Wells Unified School District is asking for approval of a 3% increase to the existing 10% Maintenance and Operation Budget Override resulting in a 13% Override that will cost $4,771,102.

What are the significant dates for the election?

- If you aren't already registered to vote, the last day to register in order to be eligible to vote in this election is Tuesday, October 10th, 2023.

Check your voter registration status at ezaz.org/vote

- Ballots will be mailed on October 11, 2023. The last day to request early ballot October 27

- VOTED BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 7 p.m., November 7th. MAIL ballots by October 31st.

Who can vote in this election?

To vote in this school district election, you must be 18 years of age, living within the boundary of the school district, and be registered to vote at least 29 days prior to Election Day, before midnight on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. If you do not know if you are eligible to vote, please contact the Pima County Recorder’s Office at (520) 724-4330.

REGISTERING TO VOTE:

There are different ways to register to vote:

• Go to the Pima County Recorder’s Office located at 240 N. Stone Avenue

• Visit the Pima County Recorder’s website and download/print a voter registration form at: http://www.recorder.pima.gov/regvote

• You can also register at: http://servicearizona.com & click on “Voter Registration.”

ACCESSIBILITY FOR VOTERS:

• County election officials will accommodate special needs of voters. If special assistance for voters with disabilities is required, please call (520) 724-4330 or 711 (TDD) at least 72 hours prior to Election Day.

• A large print copy of this Information Pamphlet will be available at all replacement ballot centers.

What policies did Flowing Wells Unified School District implement with my tax dollars?

- Allows boys to use girls' restroom, locker, and any other program/space. - SOURCE

- Dedicated to teaching and implementing Equity. - SOURCE

- Equity teaches people and children that there is systemic racism, they are entitled to reparations and more because of the color of their skin. - SOURCE

Aren’t Flowing Wells Unified schools doing a good job?

- 80.17% Graduation Rate

- 34% of students are proficient or highly proficient at English

- 28% of students are proficient or highly proficient at Math

Aren’t Flowing Wells Unified Teachers underpaid?

Flowing Wells pays an average annual salary of $56,859 to teachers. The average annual salary in Tucson is $45,000 as of September 14th, 2023 per Zippia.

What are taxpayers in the Flowing Wells Unified School District being asked?

Voters will be asked to say yes or no on one measure:

- Approve a 3% increase and continue the 10% budget override

What are the current tax rates for the override?

- The estimated secondary tax rate needed to fund the full override is $2.04 per $100 of net assessed valuation for secondary tax purposes. - The estimated cost to an owner of a home with a limited property value of $127,280 would be approximately $260 per year.

- Shows up on your tax bill as secondary property tax.

- Property taxes combined add up to thousands of dollars!

- To view your current property tax liability, visit https://www.to.pima.gov/propertySearch/

Is Flowing Wells Unified School District underfunded?

Flowing Wells spends $12,178 per student per year.

If the override fails, how will my taxes be affected?

- Without passage of the override, the district will have to reduce the operational budget.

- Once any outstanding Bonds and Overrides are repaid, you won't have to continue paying Secondary property taxes related to the bond.

How has more funding impacted Flowing Wells Unified Public Schools?

Comparing to the 2018-2019 School Year Performance to the 2021-2022 School Year Performance

- Reduction of nearly 6% in Enrollment

- Over 8% Drop in Graduation Rate

- Drop Out Rate More Than Doubled from 2.72% to 5.86%

- 11% Drop in Math Proficiency

- 7% Drop in English Proficiency

- Total Students with Chronic Absenteeism Increased from 1,578 to 2,391 [Nearly 45% of Enrolled Students]

- Total Students Enrolled in at least one Advanced Placement Course More Than Halved from 665 to 306

- Reported Instances of Violence Increased from 48 to 106 [More than One Instance per Every Other Day Based on 180 Days in an Arizonan School Year]

- Total Students Reported as Harassed or Bullied Decreased from 6 to 5

This will result in a tax increase.

- If the measure passes, the current Secondary tax rates will increase to cover the additional 3% increase; however;

- If the measure passes, the total amount of taxes paid will likely go higher if there is continued inflation related to property values.

Why do we have an override election?

Flowing Wells is legally allowed to call the 10% override a continuation even though we will vote to approve it as if it is new. The 3% in this proposition is an increase.

What does Flowing Wells Unified Schools intend to use the additional funds for?

The 13% Maintenance and Operation budget override would establish hands-on K-12 engineering classes that integrate science, technology, math, and art. The override also would maintain current funding for programs that serve District students, including: • Award-winning fine arts and performing arts programs. • Specialized elective classes. • Competitive salaries to attract and retain outstanding teachers and staff. • Full-day kindergarten and reasonable class sizes. • Athletics for elementary through high school. • Safe and well-maintained campuses.

I’m renting. Why should I care about this election?

- If the override measure is defeated, your landlord’s taxes will go down and could mitigate future rent increases. - Irrespective of being a property owner, we all want to see the kids receive a quality education. - To view your current property tax liability, visit https://www.to.pima.gov/propertySearch/

Where can I vote in this election?

WAYS TO RETURN YOUR BALLOT

1. MAIL your ballot using the Yellow Postage Paid Envelope by Tuesday, October 31, 2023, OR

2. DROP OFF your ballot by Tuesday, November 7, 2023, by 7 pm at any of the following Ballot Replacement Sites.

You can also get a REPLACEMENT BALLOT at one of the locations listed below or by calling the Pima County Recorder’s Office at 520-724-4330.

Ballot Replacement & Drop-Off Locations (Don’t Forget to Bring your ID!) (Visit recorder.pima.gov/VoterID to learn what identification is needed to vote in person)

Location Address Dates / Times

Pima County Recorder’s Office – Downtown 240 N. Stone Ave

10/11/2023 to 11/06/2023 8 am – 5 pm, Mon – Fri

Tuesday, 11/07/2023 Election Day 6 am – 7 pm

Pima County Recorder’s Office - Ballot Processing Center 6550 S. Country Club Rd

10/11/2023 to 11/06/2023 8 am – 5 pm, Mon – Fri

Tuesday, 11/07/2023 Election Day 6 am – 7 pm

Tucson City Clerk Elections Center 800 E. 12th Street

10/11/2023 to 11/06/2023 8 am – 5 pm, Mon – Fri

Tuesday, 11/07/2023 Election Day 6 am – 7 pm

Fellowship Bible Church 6700 E. Broadway Blvd

10/11/2023 to 11/06/2023 8 am – 5 pm, Mon – Fri

Tuesday, 11/07/2023 Election Day 6 am – 7 pm

Drop-Off Only Locations (No ability to print a new ballot.)

Location Address Dates / Times

Pima County Recorder’s Office – Eastside 6920 E. Broadway Blvd.

10/11/2023 to 11/06/2023 8 am – 5 pm, Mon – Fri

Tuesday, 11/07/2023 Election Day 6 am – 7 pm

Location Address Dates / Times

Tucson City Housing & Community Development 310 N. Commerce Park Loop