Agua Fria Union High School District No.216
Voting without knowing what's on your ballot is like lighting your money on fire.
What is the upcoming election about?
Agua Fria Union High School District is asking to sell $197 Million dollars in bonds.
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?
All registered voters that reside in the Agua Fria Union High School District will receive a ballot by mail with voting instructions in the envelope.
What policies did Agua Fria Union High School implement with my tax dollars?
- Linked up to GLESN website for children to visit. GLESN wants to force schools to allow boys in girls's sports, locker rooms, restrooms, and overnight field trips. SOURCE
- Allows girls into Boy Scouts, boys into Girl Scouts and other designated youth groups. - SOURCE
- Shutting down restrooms, causing more overcrowding, students to be late to class, and more vaping... because of vaping in the restroom. - SOURCE
- Dedicated to 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 Agua Fria Union schools doing a good job?
- 92.05% Graduation Rate
- 41% are proficient or highly proficient at English Language Arts
- 33% are proficient or highly proficient at Math
Aren’t Agua Fria Union High School Teachers underpaid?
Agua Fria Union pays an average annual salary of $66,868 to teachers. The average annual salary in Avondale is $57,000.
What are taxpayers in the Agua Fria Union High School being asked?
Voters will be asked to say yes or no on one measure:
- The sale of $197 million in new bonds
What are the current tax rates for the bond?
- The estimate for a homeowner in Agua Fria Unified is $0.75 per $100 of assessed value.
- 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://treasurer.maricopa.gov/Parcel/ParcelSearch.aspx
Is Agua Fria Union High School underfunded?
Agua Fria Union High School spends $17,430 per student per year.
If the bond fails, how will my taxes be affected?
Once any outstanding Bonds and Override are completely paid off, Secondary property taxes related to the school district will be eliminated.
How has more funding impacted Agua Fria Union High School?
Comparing to the 2018-2019 School Year Performance to the 2021-2022 School Year Performance
- Increase in Enrollment of 1,234 Students
- Drop of nearly 3% in Graduation Rate
- Over 20% Increase to the Drop Out Rate from 1.35% to 1.64%
- 9% Drop in Math Proficiency
- 4% Increase in English Proficiency
- Reported Instances of Violence Increased from 138 to 167 [Nearly 1 per Day Based on the Arizona 180 Day School year]
- Total Students with Chronic Absenteeism Increased from 2,395 to 2,664 [Nearly 29% of Enrolled Students]
- Total Students Enrolled in at least one Advanced Placement Course Increased from 2,009 to 2,307
- Total Students Reported as Harassed or Bullied Nearly Halved from 44 to 24
School officials claim there will be no new taxes. Is this accurate?
- Once any outstanding Bonds and Overrides are repaid, you won't have to continue paying Secondary property taxes related to the bond.
- If the measure passes, the current Secondary tax rates will remain the same; however;
- 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 $197 million in bonds is NOT a continuation and is a separate item on the property tax statement.
What does Agua Fria Union High School intend to use the additional funds for?
- Safety and security enhancements
- Modernization and repairs to aging facilities
- Creation of trades academies
- Technology enhancements
- Student transportation (new buses)
- Furniture and equipment
- Additional fencing
- Cameras on all campuses
- Window safety upgrades
- Additional weapons detectors
- Secure lobby spaces
- Build the facilities and provide modern equipment for the upcoming workforce academies
- Fund the design and construction of a sixth new high school.
I’m renting. Why should I care about this election?
- If the bond 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://treasurer.maricopa.gov/Parcel/ParcelSearch.aspx
The information above may have been compiled from the following additional sources:
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Arizona School Report Cards (https://azreportcards.azed.gov/)
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Center Square Website (https://www.thecentersquare.com)
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Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Council (https://www.azjlbc.gov/)
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Arizona Auditor General (azauditor.gov)
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Zippia Website (zippia.com)
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Maricopa County Treasurer (https://treasurer.maricopa.gov/Parcel/TaxBill.aspx)
Please Note: EZAZ.org takes no position for or against the items on your ballot. Vote your conscience.