Two propositions on the November 2009 ballot seek extra funding for Tucson Unified School District.
Proposition 401, a “maintenance override,” aims to receive approximately seven percent more for the district’s budget, said TUSD Staff Attorney Michael Areinoff.
This override will provide about $190 extra per student for schools to use.
These funds may be used to decrease class sizes, provide better library or counselor services or improve art and music education as the schools see fit. 
“Proposition 401’s real aim is to get full-day kindergarten,” Areinoff said. “With the latest budget cuts a lot of schools have been given, they’ve had to get rid of it.”
TUSD’s budget has been cut by nearly $45 million due to state budget reductions in the past year. If it passes, Proposition 401 will add an additional $18 million for these services in the schools.
The other proposed TUSD override, Proposition 402, is aimed at getting technology upgrades in the district. The override asks for $9 million to upgrade school computers.
“We have had a lot of problems with being behind in technology,” Areinoff said.
The goal of Proposition 402 is to replace up to 10,000 failing computers in TUSD classrooms, provide schools with the infrastructure needed for high speed bandwidth, and replace school servers and switches to decrease energy consumption.
The technology override would also provide district-wide improvements outside of the classroom.
The proposition would replace TUSD’s operational computers and Human Resources and Financial Management Systems.
The cost to individual taxpayers is based on property ownership and if both Propositions 401 and 402 pass, it will cost the average Tucson homeowner $9.63 per month, Areinoff said.
Although most district planning has been based on both overrides passing, Areinoff said the propositions are not linked and voters can vote for one proposition and against another.
Some TUSD parents and teachers are actively supporting the propositions.
“After the cuts, we also lost a lot of librarians and counselors and teachers, we lost programming in arts and being able to opt for a second language,” said Paul Eckerstrom, of the Invest in Our Kids campaign. “We need to get back some of those cuts.”
The campaign is an effort by parents and teachers in TUSD to support the budget overrides.
“The Phoenix politicians have cut our kids,” said Eckerstrom. “Tucson needs to go this alone and stand up for our own.”
Those who oppose 401 and 402 are concerned about where TUSD officials will spend the extra funds if the propositions do pass.
In an information pamphlet released by TUSD in November, John Kromko, president of the Pima Association of Taxpayers, said, “Because of a desegregation lawsuit, the court has allowed TUSD to spend a massive amount of money, $64 million this year, for desegregation.”
TUSD has used the desegregation money for general funds; so in effect, they have been receiving a huge override, without voter approval.
“Unemployment and foreclosures are continuing to increase,” Kromko continued. “As a part of our community, TUSD should be willing to bear its fair share of the burden.”
Eckerstrom said he understands that times are tough but still stands behind Propositions 401 and 402 as an investment that will benefit the community.
“Frankly the best spent money in government is education. It’s a long term investment that really does pay out those dividends,” he said.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3 and early voting begins Oct. 8.
