A group has formed in support of the two upcoming ballot issues authorized by the School Board.

The campaign committee is chaired by former School Board member Jim Dickey while Terri Sanchez, CPA, is the campaign treasurer.

The two issues, an extension of the existing School District operations and maintenance overrides, and an $8 million capital improvements bond, will both be on the November all mail-in ballot.

A third question also will be on the ballot from the Town of Fountain Hills – whether or not voters want to authorize an $8.2 million bond issue to fully reconstruct Saguaro Blvd.

FHUSD’s O&M budget override is an extension of a combination of two overrides already in existence, Dickey emphasized, as Fountain Hills voters have routinely approved budget overrides since the 1990s.

“It is not a tax increase, but simply extends for another seven years this important revenue for the School District,” Dickey said.

It funds teacher salaries and professional development, lowers student-teacher ratios for K-3, and funds free all-day kindergarten.

The bond will provide necessary improvements to four of the district buildings, which range from 27 years old to 13 years old, including the High School, Middle School, McDowell Mountain Elementary and the district’s transportation/warehouse.

The improvements include student safety/security items, cooling and HVAC infrastructure, asphalt paving for playgrounds and parking lots, technology cabling and infrastructure.

Bond passage will improve energy efficiency in school buildings, along with providing replacement school buses, ADA upgrades and other indoor and outdoor needs.

It is estimated that the bond will increase local property taxes by approximately $32 per year on a house valued at $250,000.