Tucson Unified School District No. 1

Tucson Unified School District No. 1

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

What is the upcoming election about?

Tucson Unified School District is asking to sell $480 Million dollars in bonds. All the estimates are based on the $480m number when the final number after principle and interest is $792,450,000. If this measure passes, it will be paid by tax payers for 24 years.

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 Tucson Union School District implement with my tax dollars?

- Tucson High School hosted a Drag Show. Tucson High School Counselor Behind Teen Drag Show Arrested for Relationship With Minor - SOURCE

- Allows boys to use restrooms and locker rooms with girls. - SOURCE - SOURCE

- Major amounts of Violence on Campus - SOURCE

- Has at least 57 teachers who have signed a pledge to teach Critical Race Theory (CRT) and all other social justice-oriented curriculum to children, regardless of the law or the wishes of parents. - SOURCE

- Critical Race Theory teaches that systemic racism is part of American society - from education and housing to employment and healthcare. - SOURCE

- Has a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department - 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

- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion teaches students and people that white people are oppressors. - SOURCE

Aren’t Tucson Union schools doing a good job?

- 80.58% Graduation Rate

- 28% of students are proficient or highly proficient at English Language Arts

- 20% of students are proficient or highly proficient at Math

Aren’t Tucson Union Teachers underpaid?

Tucson Unified pays an average annual salary of $49,477 to teachers. The average annual salary in Tucson is $45,000 as of September 14th, 2023 per Zippia.

What are taxpayers in the Tucson Union School District being asked?

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

- The sale of $480 million in new bonds

What are the current tax rates for the bond?

- The estimate for a homeowner in Tucson Unified, who has an assessed value of $100,000, is $68.78 annually. The tax impact over the term of the bonds on an owner-occupied residence valued by the county assessor at $250,000 is estimated to be $184.63 per year for 24 years, or $4,431.12.

- 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 Tucson Union School District underfunded?

Tucson Unified spends $14,009 per student per year.

If the bond 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 Tucson Union Public Schools?

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

- Drop in Enrollment of 3,680 Students [Over 8% Drop]

- Drop of Nearly 4% in Graduation Rate

- Nearly 80% Increase to the Drop Out Rate from 3.21% to 5.77%

- 10% Drop in Math Proficiency

- 4% Drop in English Proficiency

- Total Students with Chronic Absenteeism Increased from 13,512 to 22,590 [Nearly 54% of Enrolled Students]

- Total Students Enrolled in at least one Advanced Placement Course Decreased from 3,317 to 3,206

- Total Students Reported as Harassed or Bullied Nearly Tripled from 21 to 61

- Reported Instances of Violence Decreased from 1,689 to 1,515 [this is more than 8 Instances per day based on a 180 Day School Year defined by the Tucson Unified School District]

This will result in a tax increase.

- If the measure passes, the current Secondary tax rates will increase

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

What is a bond election?

It is a vote by the public to allow the School District to issue more debt for projects. The $480 million in bonds is NOT a continuation and is a separate item on the property tax statement.

What does Tucson Union Schools intend to use the additional funds for?

The proposed bond projects include:

• Repairs and upgrades to existing facilities

• New air conditioning systems and controls

• Replace or repair deteriorating roofs and floors

• Update aging plumbing and restrooms

• Repair athletic fields, ball courts, gymnasiums, and parking areas

• Replace aging furnishings and equipment to support strong instructional practices

• Modernized systems for energy efficiency Improvements to classrooms and learning spaces

• New and updated science and project labs

• New career and technology labs

• Improve facilities for the fine and performing arts

• Replace portables with permanent building capacity, where necessary Health, Security, and Safety

• Update security and safety systems at each school (i.e., cameras, lockdown systems, fire alarms, fencing, and access control)

• Renovated school health offices Access to Updated Educational Technology

• Access for every student to the latest instructional technology (i.e., computers, tablets) that fit their learning level.

• Upgraded classroom technology and infrastructure to support interactive learning Student Transportation and Support Vehicles

• Replace aging buses and support vehicles.

• Provide fuel-efficient, air conditioned, and safe transportation services for students and staff

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

- If the bond measure is defeated, your landlord’s taxes will not go up 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 ELECTION DAY ONLY