Do the candidates running for your school board really put kids, safety, or parents first as they proclaim?
Do they want to see public schools improve, or just decry their decline?
Bonds and overrides are emerging as a useful measurement for whether school board candidates are running to support public schools — or dismantle them in favor of private and religious ones.
WHAT ARE BONDS AND OVERRIDES?
Bonds and overrides are the voters’ tool for funding public schools when state officials won’t.
Bonds are loans that school districts can repay over time with small increases in property taxes. Overrides allow districts to exceed their state-mandated budgets for a few years so they can afford better teacher salaries, educational programs, and school supplies.
Many candidates are skirting the issue on bonds and overrides on social media. Some sitting school board members have even abstained from voting on them at governing board meetings, so as not to go on the record. (See: Heather Rooks, Peoria Unified School District)
ASK YOUR CANDIDATES
Do the candidates in your district support bonds and/or overrides? If they say no, chances are they’re running by the Project 2025 playbook — to dismantle public schools, not save them.
Not sure? Ask your candidate about all this by social media or email and see what they say.
If you send their replies to Secular AZ (info@secularaz.org or DM on social media), we may be able to share this information with other voters.
Need help finding your candidates or writing your message? We’re here to help.
