Mesa’s $449 Million School Bond Measure Draws Criticism
By Christopher Boan A potential bond measure that would cost Mesa taxpayers $449 million is drawing criticism from education analysts across Arizona. That’s because Proposition 419, which would chip in roughly a third of the $1.4 billion in Mesa Public Schools' capital needs, has some wondering whether such a large investment is prudent right now.... A potential $449 million school bond measure in Mesa, Arizona, is being criticized by education analysts due to concerns raised by the state's largest school district, which is seeing an enrollment decline of 51,093 students, down 11.8% from 2022. The measure, Proposition 419, would fund roughly a third of the $1.4 billion in Mesa Public Schools' capital needs. The district plans to use an 81-cent tax on $100 of home value, meaning a $400,000 house in the district would be assessed an annual increase of $324 per year. Approximately 70% of Prop. 419 would be used to improve the district's facilities, with 15% for site-based projects and 10% for safety, security, and technology infrastructure. The remaining 5% would go to the district’s Career and Technical Education program. Katie Ratlief, executive director of non-partisan research organization Common Sense Institute of Arizona, suggested that Mesa residents should consider the $449m bond as a prudent investment due to the declining enrollment and the aging of buildings that house 25,000 more students than they are educating, making it expensive to maintain. Chris Thomas, director of legal strategy for education policy, suggested the city and district should consider broadening facility sales in the future.
Veröffentlicht : vor 7 Stunden durch in Politics Finance
A potential bond measure that would cost Mesa taxpayers $449 million is drawing criticism from education analysts across Arizona.
That’s because Proposition 419, which would chip in roughly a third o... [3870 symbols]
