The Fountain Hills Unified School District Governing Board tonight will vote on a possible capital override election to be held this fall.

The board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the FHUSD Learning Center.

One of the only items receiving a vote tonight, the board will consider authorizing a capital override election for $750,000 on an annual basis.

Funds would be allocated for district needs including textbooks, technology, assessment tools, mechanical equipment replacement, etc.

Passage of this override would continue funding provided by an existing override and would not impact the current tax rate.

If authorized, the capital override election would be held in November, giving local voters a chance to have their say on the matter.

That election would come a year after a similar election in which voters narrowly passed an $8 school bond package as well as extending two other types of budget overrides.

FHUSD officials emphasized at the last board meeting, June 11, that the money from this capital override would not be used to pay administrative salaries – apparently a “rumor” to that effect has been circulating around town.

Superintendent Tom Lawrence said FHUSD qualified to receive about $890,000 each year from the state for capital needs, but the Legislature swept away some of that funding and it’s now been reduced to $360,000, which he said is inadequate for the district’s needs.

Lisa Martinez, executive director of business and support services, said that the override should be looked at as “an investment” in the district’s buildings and other facilities.

“This will be necessary to keep the programs we already have in place,” said board Chair Helen Howard.

The current capital override was approved in 2007, which will expire in 2015 unless renewed by voters.

Main items earmarked for the funding include technology ($260,000), textbooks ($250,000), building renovations ($147,000), vans ($62,000) and furniture ($26,000).

“It also needs to be emphasized that this would not result in an increase in taxes,” said board member Dr. C.T. Wright.

“This is all capital; it’s not going to increase salaries and administration.”

Other items

The bulk of this evening’s meeting will be spent in the information/discussion portion of the agenda. In order to prepare for the coming school year, the local board will take yet another look at the proposed budget, as well as a list of district staff authorized to suspend students, certified evaluators, check signers, out of district placement, and more.

The board will also discuss naming a representative to the Arizona School Risk Retention Trust, voucher signing between meetings, garnishment of wages and summer contract issuance for the 2014-15 school year.