At first blush, it’s difficult to argue with the School District’s logic that additional funding – and a continuation of current funding – is needed to keep local education relevant for years to come.

The district was hit hard in recent years by the recession and budget cuts at the state level. Due to many foreclosures and other factors, FHUSD has been experiencing a drop in student population. Laying off teachers, consolidating administrative staff and closing the Four Peaks campus were the district’s answers to those cuts.

The district currently has three voter-approved budget overrides in place, and virtually all of the bond money ($12 million) authorized by voters six years ago has already been spent.

The consolidated override will help the district continue to fund salaries and free all-day kindergarten – seen as a critical component to early education for children – while the bond money will help with renovations, capital improvements, technology upgrades and the like.

Voters will have a lot to think about between now and November, since the Town of Fountain Hills also will have its Saguaro Blvd. road bond question on the same ballot. Supporters of both initiatives will have to do a lot of campaigning this fall to get out the vote and convince people to tax themselves for these projects. With consolidated elections and the like, it’s difficult not to have a combination of fiscal-related questions on the same ballot these days.

Let the debates begin!