This November, Arizonans will vote to either support or deny Proposition 320, which states that it would “require certain school districts to spend at least 60% of operational funding on instructional expenses defined by the auditor general.”
The Kyrene Elementary School District, which spends roughly 58% of its operational funding on instructional items, says that to comply with this, changes would need to be made. The district has the fifth highest classroom spending of any district in the state.
“That’s a point of pride that we never want to change regardless of how big or small the budget might be,” said Chief Financial Officer for the district Chris Hermann.
The Kyrene governing board discussed the Proposition 320 and compliance at the Sept. 8 board meeting and now others are discussing how it could impact future affairs in the district.
Kyrene candidate Franklin Zyriek told the Independent that he is urging voters to vote against the measure, as it could result in cuts to critical services and result in drastic changes on top of school closures.
“It’s a Trojan Horse to get the legislature into schools,” Zyriek said.
Zyriek said many districts, especially Kyrene, have student populations that rely on school services from counseling to food and even custodial services. The proposition also does not give districts more funding, which he says could result in these services being cut.
In a Clean Elections debate on the proposition, Chris Thomas from the Goldwater Institute urged voters to vote for the measure, saying that it could lead to higher teacher retention, improved math and reading proficiency, and higher graduation rates by increasing funding to classroom resources.
“This isn’t radical, it’s gradual and it will take many years for many districts to comply,” Thomas said.
Thomas said that to comply, schools would be required to increase their funding by 0.5% each year until they reach compliance. This would allow Kyrene about four years to comply should the measure pass.
Jimmy Arwood from Arizonans for Quality Education, who spoke in opposition to the passing of Proposition 320 at the Clean Elections debate, said that the defined restrictions in “instructional spending” it could increase barriers for students with disabilities, students in rural districts that rely on the bus and areas that rely on officers for daily campus security. “We all benefit when kids know how to read and do math,” Arwood said. “Our kids deserve to not be funded mere last in the country and they deserve to go to school and succeed.”
Resources that are not included in the measure include school resource officers, administrators, nursing staff, transportation, counselors and staff that assist students with disabilities like speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and more.
At a Sept. 22 Kyrene board meeting, board candidate Catherine Peters said she opposes the proposition, saying that it had the possibility to “decimate” some districts in the state.
“Putting students first isn’t about reaching a percentage on a spreadsheet, it’s about supporting the whole child and every student, staff member and parent that helps that child succeed,” she said.
Should the measure pass, districts that don’t comply would have 25% of their state funding withheld each year until meeting compliance.
Voters will have the option to vote “yes” or “no” to Proposition 320 in the coming weeks. Ballots for mail-in voters will be mailed on Oct. 7. To find a polling place or drop box visit Where to Vote
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.
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