Altar Valley Elementary School District

Altar Valley Elementary School District No. 51

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

Where to Vote - Tucson

What is the upcoming election about?

The Altar Valley Elementary School District is asking for a 10% budget override.

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 Altar Valley School District implement with my tax dollars?

- 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 Altar Valley schools doing a good job?

- 23% of students are proficient or highly proficient at English

- 18% of students are proficient or highly proficient at Math

Aren’t Altar Valley Teachers underpaid?

Altar Valley Elementary pays an average annual salary of $47,954 to teachers.

The average annual salary in Tucson is $45,000 as of September 14th, 2023 per Zippia.

What are taxpayers in the Altar Valley School District being asked?

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

- The 10% budget override

What are the current tax rates for the Override?

- The total 10% budget override amount for the first year of the proposed continuation is estimated to be $520,584 and would be funded in that year by an estimated $0.88 tax rate per $100 of net assessed valuation used for secondary property tax purposes which is approximately equal to the current secondary tax rate for the existing budget override. The estimated cost to an owner of a home with a limited property value of $71,440 would be approximately $63 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 Altar Valley School District underfunded?

Altar Valley Elementary spends $13,424 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 completely paid off, Secondary property taxes related to the bond will be eliminated.

How has more funding impacted Altar Valley Public Schools?

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

- Drop of over 11% in enrollment

- More than 20% Increase to the Drop Out Rate from 7.57% to 9.15%

- 10% Drop in Math Proficiency

- 6% Drop in English Proficiency

- Total Students with Chronic Absenteeism Increased from 304 to 354 [More than 62% of Enrolled Students]

- Reported Instances of Violence Decreased from 16 to 0

- Total Students Reported as Harassed or Bullied Decreased from 5 to 0

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.

Why do we have an override continuation election?

Altar Valley is legally allowed to call the override a continuation even though we will vote to approve it as if it is new.

What does Altar Valley Schools intend to use the additional funds for?

The 10% Maintenance and Operation budget override would continue funding for programs currently serving District students. This override supports the District’s efforts to help maintain present levels of service:

• Free full day Kindergarten

• Competitive teacher and staff salaries

• Small class sizes

• Free athletic programs

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

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