Higley USD board approves override renewal for November ballot amid debate 

By Tom Blodgett
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In a split vote Tuesday night, the Higley Unified School District Governing Board approved a resolution to place a 15% maintenance and operations override renewal on the November ballot.  

The vote — three in favor, one opposed and one abstention — follows months of community discussion and a prior failed override attempt just six months ago.  That override failed by 314 votes, less than 1%.

The override, which represents more than $14 million in the district’s annual budget, is vital for funding salaries, academic programs and extracurricular activities, according to supporters. Without it, the supporters warn, significant cuts could follow. 

“We know what happens when we don't pass another (override), right?” President Amanda Wade said. “Right now, we have $14 million to cut from our budget. We have financed for our next coming year for that one-third that we had to figure out what we're going do. We already made some cuts for that. We removed certain positions in place, administrative level, and we're working really, really hard to try to avoid anything else.” 

Overrides last for seven years in Arizona, but the final two years of that period they begin to sunset by one-third each year until they expire, unless renewed. Higley’s override enters the first year of its sunset period in fiscal year 2025-26. 

Proponents of the override argue that continued funding is essential to preserve student programs and staff compensation.  

Not all board members agreed. Board Member Anna Van Hoek voiced strong opposition to the timing and strategy, citing a breakdown in trust between the district and the community.  

“Just six months ago, the majority of our community voted no on this very issue and here we are a year later asking them once again to approve something that they already rejected,” she said. “This is not just about budget. This is a fundamental issue of trust.” 

Van Hoek said many community members feel alienated.  

“They do not feel heard, they do not feel respected,” she said. “They are deeply concerned about the direction this district is heading.” 

 The concern, according to Van Hoek, is not solely about finances but leadership decisions that “further alienate the very people we are elected to serve.” 

Vice President Tiffany Shultz said she hears differently from community members. 

“We all speak to the community and maybe we're speaking to different community members, but the community members that I spoke to want to compensate (staff),” she said. “They want our schools to thrive.” 

Board Member Scott Glover asked if an override renewal would make it so that staff could get a raise next year after most staff members were denied one this year in light of the override's failure last November. Chief Financial Officer Tyler Moore confirmed that was possible.

Wade emphasized the district's efforts to meet community expectations. 

 “In the time that I’ve been on this board, we've created committees that were asked and demanded of the community because they felt that there was no trust or no ability to talk,” she said. “And we have done that repetitively.” 

Wade and Shultz acknowledged public frustration but underscored the override's role in maintaining district quality.  

“People come here, people wish to bring their kids here because of the programs and the offerings that we have,” Wade said. “And that is only done (through) continuous support.” 

Board Member Sara Jarman expressed some support for the concept of an override but hesitated to approve in light of unresolved concerns.  

“I recognize the ongoing concerns about financial oversight and our financial department,” said Jarman, who ultimately abstained from the vote. “As someone who values fiscal responsibility, I want to ensure that any decision we make reflects strong stewardship of tax.” 

Yet others stressed that failing to act could jeopardize the strengths of the district. 

 “It is really hard to expect greatness from a district (if we) pull the rug out from our district,” Wade said.  

Arguments for and against the measure must be submitted to the Maricopa County School Superintendent by 5 p.m. Aug. 8 to be included in the voter pamphlet. 

The board also tabled consideration for putting on the ballot a measure asking voters' approval to sell, lease or exchange a parcel of land it owns. Van Hoek questioned whether the ballot question had to specify which option it was choosing, but the district's election lawyer was not present to ask.

 We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Tom Blodgett can be reached by email at tblodgett@iniusa.org or follow him @sp_blodgett on X.

Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert

tblodgett@iniusa.org

Meet Tom
Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.

Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.

Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism. 

Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.  

Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).