Paradise Valley Unified School District No. 69 Question 1 — Maintenance & Operation Budget Override Continuation (Maricopa County)

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Paradise Valley Unified school district voters

What it does
Shall the Governing Board of Paradise Valley Unified School District No. 69 of Maricopa County, Arizona (the “District”), adopt a General Maintenance and Operation Budget that includes an amount that exceeds the revenue control limit specified by statute by 15% for fiscal year 2027/2028 and for six (6) subsequent years as described below?
A YES vote means
The Paradise Valley Unified School District board could adopt a maintenance and operation budget up to 15% above the revenue control limit set by state law, for fiscal year 2027/2028 and the six years after.
A NO vote means
The Paradise Valley Unified School District board would not be authorized to adopt a budget 15% above the revenue control limit for these years.
Needed to pass
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean
Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Today

  • Paradise Valley Unified has a 15% maintenance and operation (M&O) budget override that voters approved on November 8, 2022. It lets the district budget 15% above its state revenue control limit, paid for by a local property tax.
  • Without renewal, that existing override phases down by one-third in 2028/2029, another third in 2029/2030, and ends in 2030/2031.
  • The district estimates the override brings in about $29.4 million in 2027/2028; the estimated tax rate to fund it is about $0.58 per $100 of net assessed value, which the pamphlet says is about equal to the current override rate.

If it passes

  • The district could keep budgeting 15% above its revenue control limit for 2027/2028 through 2031/2032, then 10% in 2032/2033 and 5% in 2033/2034 (seven years in all).
  • The override would continue to be funded entirely by a secondary property tax on property in the district, estimated at $0.5827 per $100 of net assessed value.
  • The pamphlet says the money continues current programs: core academics, teacher and staff pay, technology, physical education, fine arts, foreign language and other electives, and school safety.

Example

The county's pamphlet estimates the continued override tax at about $199 a year for a home with the district's average limited property value of $341,530, or $58 a year per $100,000 of limited property value. Because this continues an existing override, the pamphlet expects the rate to be about the same as today's. (source)

Who would notice

Property owners in Paradise Valley Unified School District No. 69, who pay the override tax, and the district's students and employees, whose programs and pay it funds.

How it got here

The district's Governing Board called the special election to continue the 15% override that voters approved in 2022 before it begins to phase down. A separate Question 2 on the same ballot asks about a District Additional Assistance (capital) override.

In the news

Written by SpectrumVote from 2 linked sources (1, 2). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

According to the informational pamphlet issued by the Maricopa County School Superintendent, the Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board called this election to continue the existing 15% maintenance and operation override, last authorized by voters on November 8, 2022, for seven years.

The pamphlet estimates the override at approximately $29,400,000 for fiscal year 2027/2028 and a secondary tax rate of $0.58 per $100 of net assessed valuation, which it says is approximately equal to the current override's rate; it estimates about $199 a year for a home of average value ($341,530 limited property value).

If the override is not approved, the pamphlet says the existing override will phase out, reduced by one-third in 2028/2029 and another one-third in 2029/2030.

The district's statement lists programs the override funds, including core academics, teacher and staff salaries, technology, physical education, fine arts, foreign language and school safety.

Put on the ballot by Paradise Valley Unified School District No. 69 Governing Board (date and vote not stated in the pamphlet).

From official source.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Paradise Valley Unified School District No. 69 Question 1 mean?
The Paradise Valley Unified School District board could adopt a maintenance and operation budget up to 15% above the revenue control limit set by state law, for fiscal year 2027/2028 and the six years after.
What does a NO vote on Paradise Valley Unified School District No. 69 Question 1 mean?
The Paradise Valley Unified School District board would not be authorized to adopt a budget 15% above the revenue control limit for these years.
Would my tax rate go up?
The county's pamphlet says the estimated rate for the continued override is approximately equal to the existing rate, because it maintains programs already funded by the current override.
What happens if it fails?
The existing 15% override would phase down by one-third in 2028/2029 and another one-third in 2029/2030, and end in 2030/2031.
Were arguments filed?
Yes for, none against. The pamphlet prints arguments in favor from the Governing Board, the Mayor of Phoenix and others, and says no arguments against were submitted.
Is this the same as Question 2?
No. Question 2 is a separate District Additional Assistance override for capital costs such as instructional materials and support vehicles. Each question is approved or rejected on its own.
How many votes does Paradise Valley Unified School District No. 69 Question 1 need to pass?
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Paradise Valley Unified School District No. 69 Question 1?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Maricopa County ballot.

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