Paradise Override Passes

Final results last week from the Maricopa County Elections Department show that voters Nov. 8 narrowly approved a $41 million capital override request by Paradise Valley Unified School District.

The measure, which passed by 44 votes, will allow the suburban Phoenix district to increase its property tax rate to bring in an additional $5.9 million a year for seven years.

Voters also approved a $203 million bond package with 59% in favor at the Nov. 8 election, making the school district the only one in Maricopa Cunty with successful votes for bonds and an override.

District officials said $37 million of the override revenue will be dedicated to new technology and instructional materials. The district will spend $4 million on new support vehicles over the seven-year span of the override.

The 2011 override will replace a $4.9 million per year maintenance and operations override approved by votes in 2009.

The new measure will be effective beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.

Superintendent Jim Lee said the state has cut the district’s educational aid by $32 million since 2007, and has provided no building renewal money since 2008 due to revenue shortfalls.

“I am personally thrilled that we can update instructional materials and technology, which we have not been able to do because of budget cuts,” Lee said.

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Arizona
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