Superintendent Todd Jaeggar of the Amphi School District addressed the Oro Valley Town Council on October 3 to outline the need for Propositions 412 and 413. These measures, on the November ballot, aim to supplement the district’s funding for facility improvements and classroom resources without further raising taxes, since it is a continuation of a previous voter approved override. Jaeggar explained that current state funding allocations are not sufficient to meet certain operational and facility needs, which the propositions are intended to address.
Details of Propositions 412 and 413
Proposition 412 would allow the district to sell $84 million in bonds over a ten-year period, supporting projects such as updated air conditioning systems and increased campus security. Proposition 413 proposes a 13.5% budget override to sustain programs such as art, music, physical education, and smaller class sizes. Jaeggar emphasized that these initiatives are key to maintaining the district’s resources without an increase in the local tax rate.
A Pattern of Supplemental Funding Requests
The two propositions on the 2024 ballot are not the first time the Amphi School District has sought supplemental funding through bonds and overrides. In fact, over the past decade, every bond and override measure presented by the district has been approved by voters, demonstrating consistent community support for these funding efforts. This includes a $70 million bond in 2013, a 10% maintenance and operations (M&O) override in 2014, a $58 million bond in 2017, and a 3.5% increase to the M&O override in 2019, bringing the total to 13.5%. The district has used these measures to address capital improvements, fund specialized programs, and sustain its educational offerings.
Oro Valley’s Disproportionate Contribution
Due to the higher property values in Oro Valley, residents are likely to pay a disproportionate share of any additional funds that the bond and override measures would generate. As one of the more affluent areas within the Amphitheater School District, Oro Valley comprises a disproportionate portion of the district’s total property tax base. This means that property owners in Oro Valley contribute a substantial amount of the total property tax revenues that the district receives, which the district then allocates toward various educational needs throughout its service area.
Advocacy Concerns Raised by Council Member Bohen
During the presentation, Council Member Tim Bohen questioned whether Jaeggar’s remarks leaned into advocacy, which is restricted by Arizona election law for public officials. Bohen suggested that Jaeggar’s tone appeared to endorse the propositions indirectly. Jaeggar defended his presentation, asserting it was factual and in line with state legal guidelines, which allow superintendents to provide information on ballot measures without explicitly supporting them.
Examining the Impact of Increased Spending
While Jaeggar described the potential benefits of Propositions 412 and 413, questions remain about whether surpassing state-set spending limits is the best course of action. The proposals enable additional funding through property taxes over the state limit, raising questions about long-term financial sustainability and potential impacts on taxpayers. As the November election approaches, voters should weigh whether spending yet more money on Amphi’s “needs” will truly improve student performance or simply pour more funds into a model that has yet to yield consistent results.
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