ARIZONA PUBLIC SCHOOL BOND ELECTION
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS A SCHOOL BOND?
What is a school bond election?
A school bond election allows voters to authorize the school district to borrow money by issuing bonds — similar to a home mortgage — to fund major capital improvements such as new school buildings, renovations, technology upgrades, and safety enhancements. The borrowed funds must be repaid over time using property tax revenue.
Why is the district asking voters to approve a bond?
It is the opinion of the Governing Board that State funding does not cover the full cost of capital projects such as constructing new facilities, major renovations, or large equipment purchases. A bond election gives the community the opportunity to decide whether these investments should be made and how they will be funded locally.
How is a bond different from the district’s operating budget?
Bond funds may only be used for capital expenditures — physical improvements to facilities, land acquisition, equipment, and technology infrastructure. They cannot be used for teacher salaries, day-to-day operating costs, or textbooks. The district’s operating budget (funded through state aid and local taxes) covers those expenses separately.
Is this the same as a budget override?
No. A bond funds one-time capital projects and is repaid through property taxes over many years. A budget override temporarily increases the district’s annual operating budget and must be renewed by voters periodically. Both require voter approval, but they serve different purposes.
ARIZONA LAW & BOND AUTHORITY
What laws govern school bonds in Arizona?
School district bonds in Arizona are governed primarily by Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) §§ 15-491 through 15-496, as well as applicable provisions of the Arizona Constitution. These statutes set out voter approval requirements, spending limitations, and reporting obligations.
What is the statutory debt limit for Pima JTED?
Under A.R.S. §15-393, a career and technical education district’s total bonded indebtedness may not exceed 1% of the district’s assessed valuation.
What percentage of voters must approve the bond?
Under A.R.S. §15-491, a school district bond requires approval by a simple majority — more than 50% of votes cast — to pass.
When can the district hold a bond election?
General obligation bond elections in Arizona under A.R.S. §15-491 must be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
FINANCES & TAXES
How will the bond be repaid?
Bond debt is repaid through a secondary property tax levied on all taxable real and personal property within the school district boundaries. The tax rate is set annually by the district’s governing board and is sufficient to cover principal and interest payments due that year.
How will this affect my property taxes?
The impact on an individual taxpayer depends on the total bond amount, interest rates at the time of sale, repayment schedule, and the assessed valuation of all taxable property in the district. The district typically provides an estimated rate (expressed in dollars per $100 of assessed valuation) in its election publicity pamphlet. For example, if the estimated rate is $0.14 per $100 of assessed valuation and your home’s limited assessed value is $250,000, your estimated annual cost would be $41.
What is “assessed valuation” and how is it different from market value?
In Arizona, property taxes are based on assessed valuation, not full market (appraised) value. For residential property, the assessed value is the limited property value (LPV) multiplied by an assessment ratio of 10%. For example, a home with an LPV of $200,000 has an assessed valuation of $20,000 for tax purposes.
What interest rate will the bonds carry?
The interest rate is not set until the bonds are actually sold. The district will sell bonds competitively or through negotiation, seeking the lowest available rate at the time of sale. Municipal bond interest rates vary based on market conditions, the district’s credit rating, and bond maturity schedules.
Can bond funds be used for anything other than what voters approved?
No. Under Arizona law and the terms of the bond authorization, funds must be spent only on the projects described in the ballot and capital improvements table included in the pamphlet. The district’s governing board and independent auditors oversee expenditures to ensure compliance. Misuse of bond funds can result in state penalties and legal liability.
Will the district receive any state matching funds?
In this case, no. Career and Technical Education Districts are not eligible to receive funds from Arizona’s School Facilities Division (SFD), which administers the Building Renewal Grant Fund and New School Facilities funding.
BOND PROJECTS & PRIORITIES
What types of projects can be funded with bond proceeds?
Allowable uses under A.R.S. §15-491 include:
- Acquiring school buses and transportation equipment
- Constructing, renovating, or remodeling school buildings
- Purchasing or improving school sites (land)
- Purchasing furniture, equipment, and technology infrastructure
- Energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems
- Safety and security upgrades (fencing, cameras, access control)
How were the bond projects selected?
Projects are typically identified through a multi-step process that includes facility condition assessments by independent engineers, input from community advisory committees, surveys of parents and staff, review by the district’s governing board, and alignment with the district’s long-range facilities master plan.
Will a citizens’ oversight committee monitor spending?
Yes. Arizona school districts that issue bonds are encouraged — and many are required by their own resolutions — to establish a Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC). This independent committee reviews expenditures, audits, and project progress reports, and provides regular public reports to ensure bond funds are spent as promised.
What happens if projects come in under budget?
Any remaining bond funds must be used for other capital purposes within the scope of the voter-approved bond authorization. If funds remain after all authorized projects are complete, the governing board may use them for other capital needs or call the outstanding bonds early (if callable) to reduce taxpayer cost.
HOW TO VOTE
Who is eligible to vote in the bond election?
Any registered voter who resides within the school district’s boundaries is eligible to vote. You do not need to own property or have children in the district’s schools to vote.
How can I register to vote?
Arizona voters may register online at ServiceArizona.com, in person at the County Recorder’s office, or by submitting a completed voter registration form by mail. The registration deadline is 29 days before the election. Active military and overseas voters have additional options under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).
How can I cast my ballot?
Depending on the County Recorder’s procedures, voters may cast ballots by early mail ballot (requested through the County Recorder), at an in-person early voting location during the early voting period, or at a polling place on Election Day.
Where can I find my polling place or Vote Center?
Polling place and Vote Center information is available through your County Recorder’s office and website.
In Pima County, visit https://recorder.pima.gov/RecorderHome
In Pinal County, visit https://www.pinal.gov/810/Recorder
In Santa Cruz County, visit https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/287/Recorder
What does the ballot actually say?
Arizona law requires that the ballot question include certain information regarding the proposed authorization. A sample ballot will be included in the official election publicity pamphlet mailed to registered voters.
Will there be an election publicity pamphlet?
Yes. Under A.R.S. §15-491, the district must prepare and distribute an election publicity pamphlet. The pamphlet includes the full ballot question, an impartial analysis, arguments for and against the proposition (if submitted by qualified authors), and the estimated tax impact on property owners.
TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
How can the public track bond spending?
The district is required to conduct annual audits of bond expenditures and present the results to the governing board in a public meeting. Many districts also publish bond project dashboards and quarterly reports on their websites. Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee meetings are open to the public.
What happens if the bond does not pass?
If voters reject the bond, the district cannot proceed with the proposed capital projects unless alternative funding is identified (such as grants, state funds, or cash reserves) or a future bond election is approved.
Can the bond be refinanced to save money?
Yes. Like a mortgage, outstanding school bonds can sometimes be refinanced (refunded) when interest rates decline, reducing the total cost to taxpayers. Arizona law permits school districts to issue refunding bonds for this purpose without a new voter election.
WHERE TO LEARN MORE
Who can I contact with additional questions?
Contact the district’s business office or the bond election information line. District contact information and additional resources are available on the district’s official website.
Where can I find additional information about Arizona school bonds?
- Arizona Revised Statutes Title 15 (Education): azleg.gov
- Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA): azsba.org
- Arizona Auditor General – School District Profiles: azauditor.gov
- Arizona Secretary of State – Election Information: azsos.gov
- Your County Recorder’s office for voting and registration questions
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This document is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Specific bond amounts, tax rates, project lists, and election dates will vary by district. Consult your district’s official election documents and the Arizona Revised Statutes for authoritative information.