Arizona school districts face major budget cuts; voters reject bonds, overrides [Video]

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona consistently ranks among the worst in the country when it comes to funding public education, and now, several Phoenix-area school districts are preparing to take another hit.

Voters in at least nine school districts across Maricopa County appear to have said “no” to local bonds and overrides that would have increased property taxes to help pay for K-12 education.

The money supports everything from building maintenance and teacher salaries to all-day kindergarten.

“It’s definitely disappointing,” said Phoenix resident Anisten Wilson. “I think having a strong school district with proper amenities for kids to grow is important, I mean, that’s our future.”

Curtis Finch, superintendent of the Deer Valley Unified School District, says this week’s election results will force the district to slash its budget by $11 million annually for the next three years.

“That’s real money and that’s a real problem,” said Finch. “A superintendent’s philosophy is to …