Higley, CUSD bond measures appear to fail

Nov. 13—Higley Unified and Chandler Unified voters were stingy with their school districts at the polls last week, apparently turning thumbs down on both districts' bond issues and Higley's budget override, according to unofficial — and incomplete — election results.

In Gilbert Public Schools, however, voters approved the district's continuation of its maintenance and operations override and gave the district permission to sell two parcels of land should it want to over the next few years.

With thousands of votes remaining to be counted by this newspaper's deadline, GPS' 15% operational override continuation had garnered 52.06% "yes" votes and 47.94% "no's."

In lieu of a bond, GPS had put forth the approval of selling the Madero property east of Crimson road and Madero Avenue in Mesa and the Cole property, east of Cole Drive at Lakeview Trails in Morrison Ranch.

The latest unofficial results show 64.6% voters approving the sale and only 35.4% opposing it.

But voters' mood was far less generous in Higley and Chandler unified school districts.

Higley's 15% Maintenance & Operations budget override continuation, which was last approved in 2019, seemed to be failing this election by a narrow margin of 51.05% of the votes against and 48.95% in favor, unofficial and incomplete results showed Friday.

The district's website warned that and override rejection would require a 33% reduction in the 2025-26 school year and a 66% reduction the following year before it expires. However, the district can return to a ballot next year and hope voters change their minds if it fails in the final General Election results from last week.

The funds from the override are used to maintain competitive teacher salaries, support elementary specials such as arts, music, physical education and district athletics; maintains current average class sizes and provides resources to classrooms; and also supports gifted, special education and all-day Kindergarten.

On Higley's bond measure, voters appeared to be more emphatic with their "no."

The $83 million bond proposal got a thumbs down with 57.26% of the votes opposed to 42.74% who favored it, unofficial results showed.

The district last won approval for a bond in 2013, when voters favored a $70 million bond.

That money 11 years ago went for new school construction, including furniture and equipment, buying land for new schools, technology upgrades and improvements, maintenance and repair at existing schools and student transport.

But since then, voters have rejected bond measures in HUSD in 2021 and 2022.

HUSD spokeswoman Jessica Bautista said that the district administration was still working on an official statement about the election results since ballots are still being counted.

In an interview with the Gilbert Sun News, Chief Financial Officer Tyler Moore explained the district's struggles in getting bond approval.

"Higley Unified School District has faced challenges in securing voter approval for bond measures over the past decade. Despite efforts, including a recent $83.1 million bond measure in November 2024 called for by a citizens committee and aimed at funding school infrastructure improvements, voter approval has remained elusive," he said.

"In my opinion, several factors may contribute to this situation," Moore continued. "Voters might be hesitant to approve bonds due to concerns about potential property tax increases, even though the district has structured bonds to avoid tax rate hikes.

"Economic conditions and financial uncertainty can influence voter decisions, making them less likely to approve additional spending. There might also be a gap in communication or trust between the district and the community regarding the necessity and benefits of the proposed bonds."

Chandler Unified was stung by its first-ever bond rejection at the polls — and it was the district's biggest ask.

The district had asked its residents to support borrowing $487 million to upgrade and maintain facilities, buy buses, keep up with the latest technology and ensure school safety.

About 54% of voters said no in early unofficial returns.

The request was the largest CUSD had ever made. Its last bond request, for $290 million, passed.

"As you may know, the unofficial election results indicate that the 2024 bond was not approved," Superintendent Frank Narducci wrote in a message to staff and parents. "This is the case for several other public school districts across Maricopa County.

"While this result impacts our immediate plans, it does not change our commitment to providing the highest quality education for our students."

CUSD and Higley Unified voters were not the only ones that appear to be rejecting bond requests. There were eight districts where the bond was failing in early returns in Maricopa County, the others including Peoria Unified, Deer Valley Unified and Agua Fria Unified.

CUSD Governing Board member Kurt Rohrs was not surprised by the vote.

"Exactly what I said during the board vote: table this for now and come back with something more reasonable," said Rohrs, who cast the lone no vote against authorizing the bond measure for the ballot.

"The district does need some bond funds for essential needs (i.e. Chandler High School needs a new roof)," he said at the time.

One of the major projects in the bond proposal was to rebuild Hartford Elementary School, the district's second oldest building. It was built in the late 1950s. That project is now in doubt.

The cost to rebuild Galveston Elementary School was $32 million.

The condition of the roof at Chandler High has been a worry for a while. CUSD has applied for state funds to address it, but as a district with declining enrollment, it has not been able to get a grant. There was money in the bond election to fix the roof, but now the district will need another idea.

"We remain determined to move forward with doing what is best for kids while keeping fiscal responsibility at the center of decision making and maximizing resources wherever possible for the benefit of all," Narducci said in his statement.

"Despite this outcome, CUSD will continue to be fiscally responsible by ensuring maintenance and necessary updates are scheduled thoughtfully and strategically," he continued. "We are committed to prioritizing essential projects so that our schools and facilities remain conducive to fostering learning and teaching environments where all students and staff thrive."

CUSD had said that the bond sale, if approved, would not raise the rate they pay in property taxes to repay those loans. However, while the rate may not be changing, property owners are paying more because the value of their homes increases, in many cases 5% a year.

Rohrs said at the time of the board vote to put the measure on the ballot that he was worried that price would shock voters because CUSD has entered a period of declining enrollment.

District officials said they have a lot of aging infrastructure that needs to be maintained, and in some cases, replaced. They said that and inflation is what made the price tag so high.