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As someone who serves both in the public treasury, Southern Arizona School Business Officials and at the school-district level, I am deeply concerned about the structural financial pressures facing our local public schools. Those pressures are increasing as the state’s voucher program expands, forcing districts to rely more heavily on bonds and overrides. This November’s ballot measures in Pima County — Proposition 414, 415, and 416 — illustrate this reality.

Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program has grown into a universal-eligibility voucher program, available to any child in the state. Analysts estimate the program now costs the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually — approximately $700 million according to the Arizona Department of Education’s 2024 fiscal analysis — reducing the pool available to traditional public districts. Because ESA monies are redirected away from district schools, public districts face fewer state dollars and persistent fixed costs. In Arizona, that makes bonds (for capital) and overrides (for operations) increasingly critical.

Proposition 414 (Tucson Unified School District) is a 15% maintenance and operations override to preserve programs and retain staff. Proposition 415 (Flowing Wells Unified) seeks a $30 million bond for capital improvements. Proposition 416 (Sunnyside Unified) requests a $120 million bond to renovate and modernize facilities. These measures reflect a clear reality: local districts are asking voters to fill the funding gap that ESA diversion and other fiscal pressures have widened.

The local impact of these measures is tangible and tied directly to educational equity. In Tucson Unified, programs such as music, art, advanced placement courses, and athletic programs are at risk if operational funding falls short, disproportionately affecting students from lower-income families who rely on public school resources. Flowing Wells needs updated classroom technology, safe playgrounds, and reliable buses to transport students, including English learners and students with disabilities, to ensure they can access the same quality education as their peers. Sunnyside has aging roofs, outdated HVAC systems, and structural issues in multiple schools that must be addressed to guarantee student safety and equitable learning environments. Without these measures, students will face larger class sizes, fewer enrichment opportunities, and deteriorating facilities — widening achievement gaps and perpetuating inequities.

Voucher expansion at the state level increases the burden on local districts to ask taxpayers for supplemental support. With state funding constrained and district costs constant, local revenue tools like bonds and overrides are essential. Without them, schools face difficult choices: cutting programs, deferring maintenance, or offering fewer services — all of which harm students and communities, particularly those who need support to succeed academically.

Beyond the classroom, strong public schools benefit the broader community. Well-funded schools help attract families, sustain property values, and foster vibrant neighborhoods. Communities with quality schools experience stronger local economies, higher homeownership satisfaction, and more civic engagement. Conversely, when schools are underfunded, property values can stagnate, families may relocate, and local businesses can be affected. Supporting bonds and overrides is an investment not only in education but in long-term health, equity, and prosperity of neighborhoods.

As both a fiscal steward and education advocate, I support these measures because they provide stable funding for teachers, protect capital assets, and reinforce our community’s commitment to public education. Maintaining competitive teacher salaries and keeping experienced educators in our schools is crucial; turnover is costly, and losing skilled teachers disproportionately affects the most vulnerable students. Deferred maintenance and declining investment are far more expensive in the long term. Strong public schools are the backbone of thriving neighborhoods and equitable communities.

I urge Pima County voters to carefully consider Propositions 414, 415, and 416 this November. This is not merely a question of taxes — it is a choice about whether our community values equitable, safe, and well-maintained schools and the future success of all our children. Voting yes ensures that every student, regardless of background or ability, has access to high-quality education in facilities that meet modern standards while helping neighborhoods remain strong, resilient, and vibrant.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are my own and do not represent the official position of the Pima County Treasurer’s Office, Pima County government, SASBO, or the Marana Unified School District. I write as a private citizen and advocate for public education.