PUHSD raises tax
rate beginning July 1
    The Phoenix Union High School District held a hearing on June 22 to announce its intention to raise its primary property taxes over the current level to pay for increased expenditures “in those areas in which the district’s governing board has the authority to increase property taxes,” for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
    The governing board voted in favor of an increase in its primary property tax levy of $201,250. The amount will cause Phoenix Union High School District’s primary property taxes on a $100,000 home to increase nominally, from $87.42 to $87.73. The increase is exclusive of any changes that may occur from property tax levies for voter-approved bonded indebtedness or budget and tax overrides.
    According to a district spokesperson, the money will be used for “adjacent ways expenditures.” These are construction-related items adjacent to public streets, such as bus bays, fencing, sidewalks or fire lanes.

Creighton asks for
M&O override
    Another district also is looking to homeowners for more funds, but in this case, voter approval is required.
The Creighton School District Governing Board has called for a Maintenance and Operations override renewal election on Nov. 2. Squaw Peak Traditional Academy in the Creighton district services families from the Phoenix Mountain Preserves south to Indian School Road, and from 32nd to 40th streets.
    In 2005, the community voted to approve a 10 percent Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Budget Override for the district. The override lasts for seven years.  As a result of the additional funding, students have benefited from lower class sizes, art, music, PE, and vital services including safety programs and classroom instructional supplies and materials. This is the fifth year of the override and the last year of full funding.
    If the voters approve the new override, the district will be allowed to maintain its 10-percent budget override continuing in 2011-2012. Full funding occurs for the first five years and then decreases by one-third each year unless renewed. If not renewed, the phase out will begin in 2011-2012 with a loss of $1.4 million. The total amount of the current Maintenance and Operation override is $3,443,690.
    For more information about the override, visit www.creightonschools.org.