State-level funding is inadequate; Arizona is ranked 49th in the nation for per-pupil spending. Districts are able to ask voters for up to 15% increase in their maintenance and operations budget. Voters approved a 15% budget override for GPS in 2019 to support:
- Competitive salaries to ensure high quality teachers for students and families in Gilbert and Mesa.
- Increased safety and security personnel on all campuses.
- Maintaining lower class sizes K-12.
- Offering educational choice to students and families with an extensive range of academic programs, including accelerated options K-12.
Voting YES on the budget override continuation will allow these to continue for the benefit of all 31,000-plus students at 39 schools located in Gilbert and Mesa.
Yes, the following districts in the East Valley all have a 15% override in place currently: Chandler, Mesa, Higley, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Kyrene. This funding is key to remaining competitive with surrounding districts, and it’s especially important with the current teacher shortage to offer competitive salaries that attract and retain talented educators.
Based on the state funding formulas for public and charter schools, a Gilbert Public Schools student is funded less than a charter school student as follows:
Elementary = $1481.47 less than charter schools
Secondary = $1691.03 less than charter schools
Charter schools are funded similar to a districts that have a voter-approved 15% override, but charters do not have to go to voters for approval to receive this additional funding. Without the override, GPS cannot maintain salaries and programs competitive with surrounding districts and charter schools.
Voters approved a 15% budget override in 2019 that is currently in place, funding teacher salaries, lowering class sizes, and funding safety and security personnel on all campuses. Every 5-7 years, districts must have this funding re-approved by voters or they must cut their budgets.
This vote is to continue the same level of funding GPS already receives and does not increase the tax rate. In fact, the tax rate for the district is trending downward. Vote YES to continue this critical funding for our local students.
GPS is a good steward of our tax dollars. Their administrative expenses are about 8%, one of the lowest in the state and nation. An impressive percentage of tax dollars are directed to the classroom.
If the override is not approved by voters, Gilbert Public Schools will have to cut $35.8 million from the budget over 3 years, starting in the school year 2025-2026 with cuts of $12 million. Strategies used in the past to reduce school district budgets include program reductions, pay reductions, decreases in gifted education access, increases in class sizes, freezing of staffing positions, and pay freezes
The median home’s tax for the override is $312 per year or $26 per month. Our students are well worth this investment to keep teacher salaries competitive, maintain class sizes, and fund academic programs. Strong schools mean a strong community and property values that continue to grow. Please vote YES for our safe and strong future!