001All right. Good evening everybody. Thank you um for everyone in attendance for tonight's bond and override committee. um to review just uh another overview of some of the items that were uh requested at our previous meeting and then um we do have some of the handouts as well at the front when you first walked in. Um I know there's a couple new faces now. We do have some microphones here at the table. So um hopefully we'll don't mind kind of sharing as as needed. Um but I'll start off if you don't mind. I know there's especially since today I do want to have a little bit more conversation within the committee. So, just kind of be able to introduce yourselves again just to make sure everyone at the table and is familiar with the faces.
002So, don't mind starting Johnny. Okay. Uh Johnny Melton. Um is that one on? Is it on? I don't know. Oh, it's on. Johnny Meltton. Um Lfield Manor. Um uh now now city council representing district 4 um and had two most my kids will desert and now uh they're on the way to college so glad to serve on this committee. Thank you. And I'm Kelly Spear out in Asante and I have a daughter at Willow Canyon. Thank you Kelly. Uh, good evening. Patrick Campbell, uh, Daart employee, um, coach. I've got kids in the district. So, yeah, just very involved with the, uh, with everything going on with the bond override committee. Thank you very much. Hi, I'm uh, Jason Roberts. Uh, I live in Surprise Farms and I have a daughter who attends Western Peak Elementary.
003All right, great. Thank you. We have Shannon Frasier on the phone. Shannon, do you want to say hi? Yes. Sorry, Shannon Frasier. Okay, she's on the phone. And then Mr. Travis Wadell is out there. He'll be back in in a minute. Okay, sounds good. All right, well, we'll get started. I know um want to honor everybody's time tonight. And so um just to recap what we're going to be uh discussing tonight. Um so our objectives really is to provide data as requested. At the previous meeting, there were some items that um well, if you recall, our very first meeting, we just went over again a summary, especially since a lot of this information is still kind of fresh to the committee um since we did the the process over the span of over six months
004last year. Um we really just reviewed uh what that process was last time. And so based on that, there were specific requests that were made um and so we'll look at that tonight um and just get a little bit of your input from that. Um the next thing we just want to again we'll break it down with first going over the bond. Um and then also then just getting your input on you know do we look at the needs? Do we revise those needs? Just really get your recommendations and thoughts on any proposed um refinements to that to that request. And then um ultimately we want to kind of get to the point where are are we at the you know is the committee feeling comfortable to make that recommendation or finalize the recommendations to
005the governing board as ultimately they would be the ones to call for a bond and or an override election. Um and we'll talk about what the next steps are for for the for the committee after this. Okay. So the first request that had come in was regarding um what is the history on districts that go out for multiple questions. And so often it's um you typically see the if it's a bond or if it's an override. Um as you recall from our conversations, there's various types of overrides. They're either an M override or a district additional assistance override. It's essentially a capital override. um they're both tax on it's a secondary tax for both of those but that is all approved by the voters and then there's um some of those questions on there you'll
006see property so if for example if they have any sale of property that has to go to the voters as well and so you'll see some districts that opted to do that um any kind of property changes they have have to be voter approved and so um it was interesting to see we pulled a fiveyear history um and so you'll have that in front of you as well as on on the screen here but you'll see starting In 2024, there were u multiple districts that went out. I it looks like we think there were 12 of them there that went out for multiple questions. Um one of them it looks like Lavine went out for three different questions um to their voters. And so the trend the question was if you go out is it
007most likely that one passes or one fails or vice you know vice versa. And really the trend that we're seeing the last few years is either they both pass or they both fail. Um, so whatever the reason may be based on the the specific community's needs, you know, within those districts, you'll see and there's, you know, for example, I'm looking at Sierra Vista up there. They both both questions failed. 38% was the only approval rate on there. Um, the other districts that fail were Deer Valley, they had a bond and an M o override question, and then Higgley was went out for a 15% override and a bond. And again, these are just the order that the questions were on the on the pamphlet. Um then in 2023, similar for the most part, they either
008both passed or they both failed. There were a couple districts in there that um it was just the bond that passed, but the override um I'm sorry, the bond that failed. The override did pass for Mesa and then also the property um question for Fountain Hills passed. And so um the next slide, same thing. You can kind of look at the trend. The next few were uh 2022, 21, and 20. you're starting to see more, it looks like trending, more districts. In 2020, there were only six districts that went out with multiple questions. Um, so you're seeing more districts, you know, going out with putting multiple questions on the ballot. But really, I don't, you know, kind of collect your thoughts, what your thoughts are, but really, we started in 2020, there were six districts
009that had multiple questions, and now that doubled up to 12 of them in 2024. But you see the passing rate whether both questions pass. 75% of those both questions passed in 2024. Um and at least one of did at least one of the questions pass was that last column there. Um if so you may not have had a 100% success rate but did at least one of your questions um pass. And so that's the trend on there. So um interesting information. So I I appreciate Steel was able to gather this information for us. Um and so they trend they they they capture all the trend and and look at that data every time um elections are completed to see kind of where school district trends are happening. Welcome. Okay. So and we can certainly discuss
010along the way um if you have questions on that. Otherwise we can just discuss as a group as we open it up for committee conversation. The next item that was requested was reviewing, uh, bond tax rate estimates based off of a couple different scenarios. So, um, as you recall at the previous, uh, bond election, it was a $127 million request that was put out there. And so, um, some of the request was, well, what if we brought that down below the hund00 million mark? What does that do on the tax rate? So, and then also if you extend it to be repaid within 15 years rather than pushing it out to 20 years, what impact does that have as well? So, I pulled a couple um scenarios again, reached out to Seuss, so I appreciate
011all their work on helping gather this information, but you see on there a $90 million bond um over 20 years. you see that impact and and we pre I apologize it's very small to see on there but the column that you'll want to take a look at is um really this column the third to the end it's it says new combined uh amount. So you'll see the tax rate impact that adding on a $90 million bond um would have on the tax rate. So ultimately the the the goal would be you don't want again your community to see a spike in their tax rates, right? So the very far right column you'll see where our estimated tax rate is um if we combined and layered on a new bond. Um the fourth column in or
012I'm sorry it's really hard to explain the one that says existing bonds. So you started with projected limited bond assessed value. The next column over which is the next uh one highlighted there says ex existing bonds. As you recall we've mentioned our current bonds they are going to be paid off at the end of fiscal year 2028. So you see the tax rate currently associated with those. Um it's an 83 cent tax rate. Then it's going to be 75 cents, 61 cent, and then 29 cent. Does everyone see where that piece is at? Okay. So really the the concept is then if you layer on these additional bonds to the very far right is where once you layer them on what will that do to the tax rate to both now that you've combined your
013existing ones that you're going to pay off and you layer on the new ones. And so there you see really it it's it holds pretty steady until starting fiscal year it looks like 2030 is once the previous ones are fully paid off now it really significantly drops from 73 cents down to 15 cents and and so forth. So that was one scenario. Just wanted to to point that out. Um really the average annual tax rate you see down there in the bottom once you um cumulatively look at all those years it's a 17 cent tax rate. Um, and so really it's about $17 on an average assessed valuation home of $100,000. Um, and that's just the average over the course of those years. Obviously, it would fluctuate the years that we're paying higher principal, it's
014going to be a higher rate, but on average about 17. Real quick recap. Recap what you said 2028 for current bonds being paid off. That's correct. 20. Thank you. 28. Yep. So that you see right there on that column, it says existing bonds. It's a $17 million payment in 2025 and then it starts going down until 2028. Our final payment is 8 million81. Um so then the other scenario is okay well what if we look at it's 90 million what if we do it over 15 years because obviously we want to also ensure that we are being fiscally responsible and not paying more interest than necessary. So something to consider here is while the tax rate now you see down there that 22 cents it does go up the average annual tax rate however compared
015to the pre so it's higher than the previous 17. However when I was looking at the total amount of interest paid um on the 20-year bond you'd be looking at about $32.8 million in interest paid versus on a 15 it's about 23.9. So right there, you're saving almost, you know, almost $10 million in interest by paying it off over the course of five years sooner. It is a little bit more of an aggressive tax rate, but you also pay less on on tax on interest overall. So that's another scenario. The other scenario that was just looked at was okay, move it up a little bit up to 95 million. What does that look like? You see, it doesn't budge too much. It's a 19 cents um average annual tax rate now over the course of
016those 20 years. And same thing now if you look at it over 15 years it's a 24 cent tax rate um average. So really all of these scenarios very similar to what we had kind of structured with the $127 million bond. The intent was that not to have that tax rate go higher than what taxpayers are currently already paying into. And really once the previous bonds are fully paid off in 28 it would have dropped dramatic. I mean we saw remember the chart it kind of dropped by half what that tax rate would be. Um, so that see if I have anything else here. So this is just the summary on that piece. It just shows you um really for those 90 versus $95 million what that new bond's average annual rate would be on
017a 100,000 assessed valuation home about $17 ranging up to $24 based on the different rates. And it, you know, the the $127 million bond was an average of about $36 average increased rate on a 100,000 assessed valuation home. So, a lot of homes, the average home here in Surprise is about 197,000 assessed valuation. So, round it up to about 200,000. So, you'd be looking at about double that for your average um annual amount paid. Just provide one more time the And John, if you don't mind speaking to Mike so we can Yep. And just to reiterate, the difference in interest paid between the 20-year and the 15-year term is approximately 5 million. Is that right? So, yeah. So, you can see that too on those um the scenarios down there where you see the U
018total. Well, I mean, you'd have to add the different interest columns, but for example, the 95 million5 year is 26.3 million in interest versus the 9520 year is 35.7 million in interest. So, that one I mean they all have about close to about a 9 to10 million savings by compressing that payment period by about five years. Um so obviously the counter to that is you have to be a little bit more aggressive on the payment and increase the taxes the tax rate gets adjusted but still with the goal of the tax rate not being above what the current taxpayers are experiencing now. Great question. Any other questions as you're looking through that information? Okay. Okay. So again, um I know you were all very familiar with where these figures came from. Um you know, when
019we met as with the committee last year, we really drilled into what was the makeup of all of these individual ones. And I know at our last um committee meeting, we provided that information again just in case, you know, just kind of refresh um what the bus replacements were made of. It was 17 million. Uh what a new K8 school would be, about 35. um purchasing land for a high school. It was requested estimated about 10 facility repairs. Again, any renovations that includes, you know, flooring repairs, um air conditioning replacements, chillers, just all of the things related to our facilities that are um needing to be replaced at this point in time was about $48 million. Um and then safety and security. A lot of those uh needs and enhancements needed at our various sites
020were estimated about 17. So, at the time it was $127 million was the estimated cost. Um, so really what I wanted to um have the opportunity is really open up to the committee for you to have that conversation of, you know, as we know the the the bond failed. And so some of the feedback that's come in since then is was the 127 the right figure? Is it something that we truly I know the conversation as a committee was these were needs. Um, and I think just to go back and really open it up to your feedback is is there a need to go back and kind of just revisit some of those and and get it closer to some of those other amounts that others have have been stating? One question that I had
021and I was thinking about this as I was driving over. Um, do you think that perhaps the fact that this bond was pitched during an election year that may have had an effect on voter participation and perhaps now that we're out of the election cycle, maybe they can focus a little more on it while at the same time we can possibly go a little closer to 127 million? That's that's a great question. I mean, I think that general feedback is yes. I mean, it draws out a lot more voters, especially in a presidential election. Um, so maybe some voters that it depends on kind of who your base is gonna be. I know Johnny probably has some words on that too. Uh, the number I I do not think the number played a role. Okay.
022Um when I look back uh you you I think your your premise is correct where in that we had this is a presidential cycle and the voters are not paying attention to that far down ballot. There was no organized opposition to the bond last year. Um so what it was just simply I I don't think I I I I don't think we got the message out. That's my that's my gut tells me. Um so the number whether it was 127 million or 99 million I don't I don't know if it would matter at last year. Um I think having an off the offear election there are some baked in advantages based on turnout and what what and whatnot. But I I'm I don't I would not um I don't think it's that necessary to go
023back and revisit these numbers. I just don't think the numbers played a difference. I think it was there was other undercurren undercurrens there. So I I want to I want to tag off what what Johnny just stated. Um I'll be honest, I was surprised. I mean when our information came back and we did our we did our due diligence um Dr. Croto and company phenomenal approach at doing the the clarity and the just transparency just clear getting out doing the right thing speaking to the troops if you will that was all well that said there is a huge and the irony is we're a school district and we educate people there's a huge misunderstanding of what exactly a bond and or an override What do they do? How is that money used? What do we
024need? They're not budgeting their money. Daizard has been proven over and over. Meridel has done an incredible job at educating us to help then educate others at how well fiscally responsible Daizard is being. That's not up for debate in comparison to other school districts. So that said, what I've learned and this is from a personal approach. The frustration was and I'll it social media it is a thing. um reading the comments, looking at what people are saying about why the bond failed and they were glad the bond failed because and I'm just going to pick random things, but you know, because the uh the the superintendents just wanted to give themselves a big old raise and you're just reading this going, "But that's not true." So, I believe there was a vote. We didn't lose
025the bond election by much, but we lost it by enough of a misconception of what it does. So people in their unknowing voted no thinking they were doing the right thing when what they don't understand is that bonds and overrides the school district I'm just going to I'm hope I'm correct when I say this if I'm if I'm speaking wrong I it's my opinion we don't enjoy having to use bonds and overrides. I don't think anybody enjoys having to do business the way we do but it's a fact of life. Those first several slides that Meridell went over with all the different those are just the doubles, the bonds and override, that list is long. And I closely watched all the bond and override elections in this last cycle. And you saw some overwhelmingly passed,
026others not so much. Why? And it was because I feel some of it was the the lack of education to the public. So what that tells me is the numbers are fine. I agree with Johnny. 127 million that was a defined need. Those needs did not go away. If anything, they just got more expensive. That said, our task is now educating properly. And it's not any one person's fault. I I don't want to take it as a failure, but it that we need to do better at educating the people what exactly are we doing with this and how does it work and that kind of stuff. I'd be willing to bet if you went and pulled the average 100 people off the street, a bond, what does it do? override, what does it do? Most
027educated adults probably couldn't really define the difference because they say the two together. I was guilty of that before I came on this committee last time because a bond override, what is it? Well, it had to be explained to me. This is what it is. We're tasked with getting that out now. I don't think the numbers are that big of a deal. That's just Pat's opinion. But that said, I feel like we're close and we can get this done. I'm an optimist. We can get this done, but it's going to start with educating at the grassroots level. And we have to do a better job of organizing to get to that level. Patrick, that was a really good summary of everything that we uh we covered even in the last committee. Um, you know, through
028the six months last year, you know, the the the 127 million we we went round and round with that last year of trying to say like is there a way to prioritize the list? Well, if you know, we asked each one of those um even those specialists in those areas. For example, we had uh um Jason Jagger come in here, we had, you know, for safety, Todd Berter came in here for for the facilities. There are when when we do when we do look at these areas, we do put time into saying, okay, what is the most prevalent need at this moment right now? Um, for example, something you don't see on the list here, uh, that that the district also I mean, and there's expenses that that Mary Dale will say like, you know,
029we have to figure out sometimes how to do it is like, for example, if elevators are breaking or something like that, I mean, that's a that's something that we got to have that's operating on our campuses with a two-story building, right? So, uh, for safety needs, but we did look at specifically each one of the areas of the bond and and for example, I mean, you know, just talking about the facility repair piece of 48 million, there was a discussion of the fact that 5 million of that was looking at a a renovation of the auditorium at Daisert and 15 million was restroom facilities um at primarily at Shadow and Willow and then also the uh some renovations to restrooms at Daertar High School and then also even looking at because there was no concession
030and we bring in the food trucks and we said that could be part of that building if you made a restroom facility. So there was about 15 million that was accounting for that. So between just those two that's 20 million on there. Okay, that was 20 million of the 48 million. And that 48 million, if you remember the chart we did, we even did a spreadsheet where we actually did identify every single school of everything because of when those schools were built from about 2003 to 2007 8, you know, somewhere in there seven that those twausing as far as those those needs. So we we wanted to make sure it was there was transparency to what are the true expenses that are that are actually hitting us right now. Right. But based on the committee
031I mean it sounds like the conversation currently that was a need last year and so you know as Patrick mentioned the need hasn't been reduced. In fact, like Craig says, like just when we say, you know, we identified, I think we we got it and all of a sudden, yes, elevators now came up or there's there's always just something else that does come up that is going to occur in in buildings that are at that 20-y year mark. Um, but yes, so as Craig mentioned, we did go back because that was the feedback, you know, hey, maybe maybe 127 it was that was that too much? So, we did go back to our directors and just again, let's look what if we really just had to go with half the bus fleet, what you know,
032replacing that, what does that look like? And what then are the consequences of now having to reduce that fleet? Well, you have you're going to have to reduce your miles, you're going to have to reduce your routes. So, that does have a trickle down effect. And so those are conversations and decisions that are having to be made because that was, you know, the the result of the election is and you're starting to see some of those decisions that are that are, you know, out there. Um, but we definitely wanted to bring this conversation to the committee to ultimately it's going to be your your recommendation that's going to the board um and ultimately their their decision, but based on your feedback. No, I just want to say I mean you guys have higher positions within
033the city and within this whole committee, but I will tell you as a parent sitting there being on this board last year and then sometimes you have to let a process fail. And I feel like that conversation at the parent level, what I hear is being involved in sports, being involved in the schools, being involved in doing different things, they were at a basketball game for my neighbors and they had to stop the basketball game because the roof started leaking when it was raining last week and I can't it was the one down grand on the I'd have to get the name of it, but it started leaking and they had to call it and I was like And you know the question was and my question to them was did what did you vote
034on that bond and you know before sorry but you know I'm just telling you these are the real conversations that are happening and I think you know the buses let's talk about the buses I live on a sante in 163rd and I actually asked why do I have a bus sitting there in front of the fries when all these other buses are running. Well they have to because in case one breaks down. my daughter was on a bus that broke down for two weeks in a row and that that was their answer to that. So you have people seeing the system fail. So the conversation is very relevant. I don't think that I think the number matches the need and to cut it back to me would feel like as a parent, okay, if we
035needed 90 million versus 140 million, are we cutting a bus out that my child rides? Did we not fix that ceiling that my child couldn't fix? couldn't finish their basketball game. I mean, it's I I think this is the relevant time. And as sad as I am that it didn't pass, I almost feel like it's good at this point that it did because we are so overloaded that the conversations are out there. They're on the social media. They're at the basketball and the volleyball games as to what's going on. So, I do think we have the ability to push this out there. Yes, go ahead. Hi, this is Shannon and I just want to state that I was recently on a field trip with both of my kids riding the bus. And if you have
036never been on the bus um the bus, I would encourage you to ride on the bus because as a person of a short stature, um riding on the bus in the current buses is highly uncomfortable and we were sitting two to a seat as adults that are not quite yet hitting 52. And I can imagine having high school students or even middle school students traveling long distances in that type on the current buses that we um have for students. And so riding the bus for 45 to 50 minutes on that bus. Um I think that that's something that we really need to take into consideration. um especially for students that are coming from the Asante area being bus and riding the the buses for a long period of time. Thank you. Yeah, and like you
037mentioned, Kelly, I mean there were operational changes that had to be made for example with the Sante when it's people don't and and so you might not understand why is the bus sitting there. This is a a reality. The buses are breaking down. I mean I know Craig Craig experiences it overseeing transportation with on the daily and so that was kind of the stop gap. was like, "Okay, well, we'll put a bus there just in case," which has actually come into use more often than than than not. We and we did we tried multiple solutions. Some of some of the difficulty up there even became just the the construction, but as you know, some of that was the the element. But we had explored three or four different possibilities and it became a reality that
038because of when you have buses that, you know, that are that aging of a fleet, there is going to be problems where they're going to they're going to break down. Um and so when you have that many on the road too so plant and that was just a way to plant and be ready it's also difficult when it's hot the heat um and then some of our buses um when they do break the parts are very difficult to find just because the age. So not to rehash all of those pieces again but those were realities. You see the bus replacement piece on there, but decisions have been made recently even to try to make some some deci, you know, so we had to make some changes of what we're doing within transportation. um you know
039by talking about lengthening the you know and that was a governing board you know decision to you know to lengthen the um the distance for you know for riding a bus and and all you know and looking at some of those things when you when you do that um you know that's that's not ideal I mean obviously though that uh we have to find ways to to save money in order to be able to to purchase um a few more buses um and to that point too I mean we We've also started to look at, you know, is there a cheaper model bus? Maybe it holds a few less kids, you know, one that we buy out there that maybe is is not as expensive. We we've tried to to research every avenue of what
040the the best solution will be because I think all of us would agree that the district is the length and the far the the distance of our schools uh of making sure to provide transportation. We don't have a bus bay up north to to to do that. So, they're all coming from one spot and and we have to be able to reach those kids. So, that's another example. But we did as as Mary Dell said is we worked with each director to in some ways and that was a task we were asked to do. Um it was back in the right after the bond about November December. Yeah. uh right after the bond failed is that we went through and we said, "Okay, bare bones, which ones are absolutely you would put at the top
041of the list that we would do and trying to shrink the amount." Um, but every one of them, facilities, even in that one, we went through all of it. We still land we still kept landing on no matter what, even if I take off that 20 million, we still kept landing close to 28 because there was new stuff that kept getting added. And uh but we did try to do some of that to see if you can bring that that number down, but you are going to cut something else out or push what you're doing is you're kicking the can farther down the road. And we recognize that. I mean, we saw that just based on those needs, but but that is ultimately, you know, as a committee, you you know, you can decide on
042what amount you want to bring forward. I mean, that's something that, you know, you want to recommend. Um, but we're going to always as from our st our seats is we're going to do everything we can to make sure that it's it's it's done responsibly and efficiently. Um, and do the best we can for kids. Sorry, I don't want to hog the mic, but Kelly, I want to I So, my day job here with the district, I in charge of facilities and enrichment program. So, I basically rent the facilities. So, I was very aware I got the phone call about that. We're having an adverse effect now because the district grew so fast and these needs, these things that are happening with just daily maintenance, repairs, putting a new roof on your house, that kind
043of stuff. The district is the same and we all know living in Arizona that the build it's hard. You know, the weather's hard on it. Um, countryside is one of them. Chiller cooler units very, very specific. Okay. I'm in conversations. I've actually have a meeting Tuesday with the city and all of their directors and stuff to meet over here because we're looking at options because they have a building that they use at that facility, a gym that's attached to it. And because of the AC issues and stuff and how things are going right now, I'm meeting on a regular with this. I'm actually contemplating and we're looking at possibly having to shut that down, which directly affects not just Daizard, but now the community because of the issues and the lack or the AC units.
044Will it continue to work because they're shutting itself down by design um because of the power failures and stuff which sets off fire alarms that causes fire departments to respond and so they're you're seeing an adverse effect because this bond didn't pass. This is not we're not this is not a smoke screen. This is these are legit needs for what we need. I know you guys know this, but there's people watching on camera. I want them to hear this stuff. So, we're now having to make these tough decisions. We've done a good job. And uh lately, Dr. Croto, how many how many A-rated schools do we have? 18 out of what? 24. 18. And we're an A-rated district. Correct. Everybody wants that. Everybody wants to live in an A-rated school district and live near these
045A-rated schools. Phenomenal. And I believe I heard at a meeting that we had recently, no C-rated schools. Correct. That is correct. So that that task alone right there deserves applause from the community. All we're asking for is just a little bit of support. Okay, I know it sound 20, but when these numbers when Midell goes over how much it's going to affect your tax rate, your personal pocket, that kind of stuff, it's such a small investment when you look at the bigger picture of what this district means to your community. There's people that use our facilities that don't even go to Daart. They don't attend our schools, but they rent them. They want their gyms. They want the fields. They want all the things that go with it. Well, that has to be upkeep. And
046we're at a point now where we're looking at shutting some things down because we can't because we can't we don't have what we need to pay for that. And it has nothing to do with us being fiscally irresponsible, just the opposite. But these hard decisions are having to make. And there's there's there there's an effect off of that. So, there's more. And we could literally go on all night. And I know we don't have that kind of time, but I just wanted to share some personal insight of things that are happening right now that directly affect what happens because when it gets hot during the summer, all my gyms are bu booked almost seven days a week. They're booked, but we're going to have to start shutting them down if we can't fix these air
047conditioning units and things like this. So, thanks for that. And just kind of just for context, because I know we talked about on the last committee just how much funding I think that question had come up. So that just reminds me of how much funding do we receive as a as a district just ongoing state funding for capital needs on average based on our student enrollment we receive about 12 a.5 to 13 million per year. Um and again if the enrollment declines it it you know that's the decline with it. So about 12 million. Um but again that goes to that that and what I I think often people forget or don't realize is that actually also is intended to cover software. The auditor general sees that as capital. So any software, any devices, any
048Chromebooks, any just ongoing operational needs that really is just kind cut off the top off the 12 million. So to try to build up to even getting close to the amount to really repair some of these that that's where the the challenge is. Um because I think often I get that feedback is well just save what you receive. Well, often what you're receiving it's like your checking account. It's being deposited but it's being used for ongoing operations. So you try to reserve and we do we've been building and making a deliberate effort to to reserve as much as we can because there are instances where there is just we were very close to having to issue a pretty large PO for one of our schools that we we have to we just have to do
049it. It was going to dip quite a bit in reserves and at the very last second the school facilities division was able to come in um and fund it. But it's been an approved project for well over a year. They just haven't had the funding for it and it came through at the last second. But that's why we need to have those reserves to be able to pull at that last second if if needed. Um so that is the ongoing challenge. But great conversations. I do want to and and we can certainly continue that. We'll kind of pivot a little bit into the override um conversation as well because as you know and and we spoke about it at the last meeting, we are entering year five. So just as a reminder, overrides are funded
050for a total of seven years. Fully funded for the first five and if it they're not approved, they start phasing out by a third. until by the end of year seven they're entirely gone. The question at the last committee request um was what impact have we seen on student achievement? So just a background the override there was a loss of the override in 2014 um and so that did result in having to start making cuts that following school year school year 1516. So the in addition to there were having to be teacher reductions one of the largest ones that I think people seem to recall is the reduction to go to half day kindergarten. And so the question has been what long-term impact have we seen? Are we seeing a an impact on student achievement
051in that cohort? Um so we worked with our research department to just look and and see what types of differences have they seen and just there for context. We've seen the most of the difference in the English language and just in your reading um generally starts lower and it doesn't really close the gap compared to those students who were in a full day kindergarten program. So there is and again do we want to say it's entirely related to that? We can't necessarily state that because there's been a lot of factors. Um one of those interestingly was when we looked and saw okay how were the exams excuse me state exams in that course of of time we went from having state as exams to a merit in 2020. There wasn't testing. Then we went to
052a ACM2 and now we're doing AASA. So there's been a lot of different testings at the state level. So it's kind of difficult to say okay this is exactly the you know the result of it. However when looking at at data it does seem to trend that that cohort that kindergarten class through currently now 9th graders um you see that there has been an impact to a certain extent. Could it be attributed to that? You know but at the same time that is something that is something that we've kept an eye on on that cohort that was affected through that reduction. So, just as a reminder, um, current year budget, it's about 25 and a.5 million. So, these are the programs that are funded through it. I've included the link. You're always welcome to go
053and see, um, how those funds are are spent. This was the breakdown of where the budget currently is. So, you see about really full day is only 10% of it. 25 and a half million, it's only 2.5. The largest amount is going to come with your 9.8 million of if we have to reduce or increase class sizes. that you know that's teachers that those are those positions that really has the greatest impact as well as a lot of those programs. So at the last committee meeting we talked about what other districts in our peer group and again this peer group is who the auditor general kind of compares us to for operational purposes. Do they also have overrides in place? And the answer is yes. Now most of them do have the full as as
054the capacity we're able to go up to is the 15%. Most but two have the full 15%. Um, Peoria has gone down to 13%. I think that's what was palpable for their, you know, for their um, community there. Glendel Union I they are not phasing out I believe and they've been at that 10% override for for a number of years. They do utilize other funding sources. I believe they get DEG monies and and things like that. So um, they they draw on those those other u balances. So in looking at it, the question was, well, what if we didn't do a full 15%. What if the request was, you know what, we're going to look at our peers over here, they're at 1310, they can do it. What does that do to the 20, you
055know, 25.5? So right now, based, we did receive our assessed valuations for the upcoming year. So I was able to at least get a good estimate on what that override for next year will be. And as I mentioned, next year still is fully funded. We're going into year five. So again, if it's not approved or renewed or continued, it does start phasing out. Um, but for just for this conversational purposes, 26.4 million is about what you can expect to see as an override for next year. Now, if in that arena we were only a 13% district, you'd only have a 22.9 million. So right there, you're already shaving off, you know, 3 million. Um, and then if we were only 10%, you're only looking at 17.6. So again, we would then have to look to
056these programs and see what of those we we would not have because we would we would already be going in with a reduced override amount. Um so I just wanted to provide that for context because I know that question came up is has the committee even had the conversation or considered do we not you know make that recommendation to go for the full 15%. Um but I just wanted you to have for context what that would look like. Um, so wanted to get your your thoughts on that. I did not so I did um it was kind of like back of napkin little estimates I did here. So just for context um the tax rate impact again so we could all so again these are all pro uh taxes on your secondary taxes. So, we
057want to take a look at what impact that has. So, currently the um at the full 15% I estimate it would be about a $110 per 100,000 assessed value, you're looking at about 219 per year on an average assessed valuation home is what goes to pay for the override. If you now look at 13% it would be about $190 per year. If you go down to 10% it would be about a 74% tax rate. So, it' be about 146 per year. So it helps to kind of quantify that sometimes in in dollar form of what does that do? So an average taxpayer, let's say they would be paying $220, let's say if they're an average assessed valuation home, but now you have, you know, $10 million less. You're now paying about $146. So you have
058about a $60 savings there. $60 70 savings per year. Um while having about $10 million less in an ongoing budget. Good question. I thought about this afternoon. I'm like, tax rates. So, um, thoughts. I I know as a district, this district has consistently had the full 15% that's been embedded into ongoing operations. The only time we did dip down to that um to that 10% was really when we had to start phasing it out. And that was that 15 16 school year is when we had the reduction over 140 teachers. We reduced a lot of our special programs, music, arts, athletics. you saw started seeing a lot of those programs were collapsed and or not offered and then we went to full day kindergarten and it only lasted a year. We went back out to
059the voters in November of 15 and it was approved and so those programs and funding was brought back starting 1617 and so the district has consistently had that funding since then. Um I will say was it in 2020? I I know we gave you guys the election history. We did go out in year four just in advance just in case it failed. We went back out in year five and it and it did pass. And so that's where we're at now. We're on year five now with this new upcoming on on year five of this new override um cycle. If I recall, the last time we we try to f a bond and an override, they both went down. The next year we just did an override, right? Correct. So when they both went, I
060still remember the amount that the bond failed by 365 votes. Um, and then the override failed by a little bit of a larger margin, but then when we went back out, the override alone, it it passed. Yes. But I'm going to say I I think with the real issues that people are actually feeling now, I think that that's a different time, what they were looking at then versus now. I think the needs are there. I think they can be justified. I think it's going to be really about communicating that because these conversations are happening out there and that everybody wants something done and they're fe everyone's feel every neighborhood is feeling these effects. So I don't I personally as a mom of one of those and living in those neighborhoods having those conversations I I
061don't I I think there's a need for it. This is not just asking for a superintendent to get a raise. this is this is very well justified and they're seeing the results of not doing it. Thank you for that. And really just to also kind of put that out there and clarify, anything that we spend on the override really has to be embedded into classroom operations and instructional related. So you can't issue an override and now increase capacity and spend it on administration. It really has to be focused specifically for classroom programs. So thank you for that comment. Yep. So yeah, all directly related to the classroom. That's what we're here for. Pat's full of opinions tonight and I and I'm helping educate people. Um, so with the risk of sounding political, uh, election elections
062have consequences, good or bad. They have things that, you know, that happen. We've seen the history, and it's important to understand our history, where we've been, what happens when we do certain things. Overrides, not having that ability, having the effect having to lay off, what was the number, Mary, like 134 staff members. Am I close? Something like that. Okay. But it's the these are effects that and then immediately once the community sees that they, oh, we need it. And it's like, so let's not get to that point. We're in year five. We made a really hard decision at our last bond override session committee if you will about bond seemed like more important because we had more time with the with the override because of we were going into year five or we could have
063that year five the buffer if you will. News flash buffer is gone. We have next school year but we've got to get this out to the public. So again we're at a situation where no fault of our own but we're being responsible but now we we have those things. It's I think it's safe to say just as a parent, we've become accustomed to having a certain level of service and a certain level of programs and things within Daert which are phenomenal and living it firsthand as a parent, as a coach, seeing it, being on the campuses is incredible and I think most families would agree with that. We want to see that continue. To continue that, we need these things and again I like I reiterated earlier, we don't I don't think we enjoy this.
064We don't we don't enjoy. We don't realize, oh, we get to go out for an override again. Oh, we get to go out for a bond. It's just a fact of doing business and doing business the right way. It's a fact of life. So, we need to go approach this now. So, again, Kelly, I'm with you. These are things I think people are starting to see it and there is starting to be a lot more discussions. We need to capitalize on that and let's get those discussions out there so we can make these things happen and keep this train moving forward, if you will. I'm going to piggy I'm going to piggyback off of both of these um and ask some questions. Um, do we know from the last round of polling that we had
065done? Um, if uh I can't recall if there were issues that resonated more with people that participated in the polls, if it was the bond issues like the funding of the bonds, you know, do do community members care more about air conditioning units working or retention of of of teachers? Um, does that did that question make sense? Um, I don't remember if it was part of that um part of that polling. Um, I'm pull I'm pulling it up right now just to see the question. My second question while you're looking that up is um and I know I came in here a little late. Um, I was looking at the five-year history of multiple question elections. There are labels on here about questions and MOS's and DAAS and bonds. Was that covered? What what those
066mean? Yes. So the um the bond well the bonds just been itself the M um is an override excuse me and so then some of those I thought it was kind of odd because some of them say M and some are 15% so unless they specified they're going up to the full amount but basically M and the 15% are both overrides. Okay. Um and then district additional assistance at the DAA that's if districts have the ability to go for a capital override. So it's a it's also just for a short a certain amount of time I believe it's also seven seven years don't quote me but um it's uh also all of these are tax on property but yes so the ones you see on here are going to be bond m overrides or a
067capital override which is the da um property again if they have any sale of property that has to go to the voters so those are what you'll see there for property um and I'm not sure what Gilbert had in 24 related to other have to look that up Does that answer your question? Yeah, part of it. And are these like multiple things that show up on a ballot? Like the question one, question two, question three. So, if I'm looking at this correctly, the Catalina Foothills Unified School District in 2022, do they have three things on the ballot? Correct. What that means? Yes. So, Catalina Foothills in 25, they requested a bond, they requested a capital override, and an MO override. Okay. Thank you. Th those were good questions. uh you know there's there's been a
068um I'm getting into the uh my political science background here a little bit but when you start to look at trends over time it's very interesting what you guys brought up and I'm kind of summarizing here is that uh you know when when you looked at the historical element of of putting two items on a ballot generally what would happen is that you saw you would hear and then you would see I because of the data, it was showing that voters would lean towards one and maybe not the other. You would get one to pass or one to fail or both would fail. It was very difficult when you did that because it just it didn't go over well. Um, and I'm not saying it worked. You got to look at you got to study
069the community a little bit too. So, what we've started to notice is we just looked at some of the trend recently. we started to see that it was it was um some of it was either you're for what's happening out there what the district is doing or you're not. I mean, and I'm not saying it's in every case, but uh you you did see some trees. You look at that data that either they they both passed or they both failed. It was very interesting when you saw the data on there and and uh I I can't say it's going to be in every case. It'd be an interesting study to do nationally. And I'm I'm kind of digressing to that piece, but it was interesting to see that because I think we talked about it
070in the committee last year extensively about the I at least I'm summarizing and you guys could tell me if I'm wrong, but I remember there was a very very much a concern of the idea of trying to do both in the recommendation. Very much. That's what I heard. The other part I'm I'm hearing in the in the summary piece and I and I you know Patrick you brought it up um with this element it was in the early presentations that went out was to show what are the current successes of the district. uh when you see, you know, when you start to study some of these districts too, you know, obviously we look at location, but you're also if you start to look at how successful a district is academically, that can also probably play
071into the the feelings of the the community as well. So, it's education then as well that that goes along with that. So, um those pieces I think are are part of it. I think they tell part of the story of of what has Daizar been doing to have a trend of academic success and how do you make sure that that families know that, the community knows that, you know, the voters know that because one thing that happens and and Mary Dell's department does it every year is it's very transparent of what the finances are of the district and what you're doing. And that's important. And I think that was brought up by this committee. Again, I'm I'm just I'm I'm going back to some of these elements that we heard that were said that were
072so critical to what we were talking about last year. We, you know, being very transparent in what we're saying and what we're doing. And so, I think that's a that's a that's a big part of this story as we start to get to this uh you know, summarizing next steps and what this committee wants to uh make make with a recommendation. If I could just answer Travis's question first. So, the I pulled up the survey results. So what the question and I think that might be what you're asking if both a budget continuation. So at the time it was the override would have continued if both of essentially both an override and a bond issue were on the ballot. Which of these opinions comes closest to your own? 44.2 was likely going to vote yes
073on both. If it was only one or the other, it was 60 68% in support of an override and it was 52 in support of a bond. But if they were both together, it was still 44%. So, it looked like the override had a little bit more support in that sense. Um, but at the time it it was the highest was definitely likely voting yes on both. As a as a followup, um, was that you're going to have to remind me. Uh, was that after the poll the people that were being pulled were made aware of what Yes. where the monies go? They were educated on what an override is. They were educated on a bond. No. So this was on the survey. So basically they started they did a pre-serve it's a prequests and
074they would ask them um if they were you know what is your viewpoint of daart overall or what is your viewpoint of education as a whole? I'm trying to kind of remind myself too on there. And then they went into if there was um a a bond like what are these what are your your most important things that you see? Is it retaining teachers? Is it maintaining class sizes? And so then the the p the surveyor um ranked it. So they didn't receive necessarily information on the 127 million if that's your question because that wasn't decided until after but it was ranking what were those items of biggest concern. So for the override related items, the highest the the highest um ranking was extra math and reading support, competitive teacher salaries, retaining teachers, and then
075it kind of trickled down to the the bottom of the list was all day kindergarten. Because if you remember our the consultant, he had come out and said not not many districts pull full day K on the override because that might not be the most um attractive to everyone like everyone's most mostly interested in math and reading supports, etc. Um, now related to the bond, what went highest of importance was school safety improvements was by far the highest roof repairs, HVAC repairs, a lot of facilities, and down towards the bottom was like fence and gate improvements and key card access. So, some safety key card related. So I think to your question there was definition in the surveying portion of that piece um you know of what an override what a bond of those items
076are. So that did come out in this in the survey element. Um and then and and there was you know obviously when you know when the election was called for and then that process began there was educational materials that were out there explaining the difference. Um but there were still questions. I mean, I think everybody's aware of there were still conversations everybody had out there where, you know, I heard them even afterwards where, you know, you would hear the misunderstanding still, you know, I voted no because and it had nothing to do with it. They were talking about M funding and it was a bond election. It's interesting the demographics. I'm looking at the final one. The demographic says, do you have children under 18 living at home with you? Um, of the people that
077were surveyed, 60% did not have children under 18 with them. um 36% did and three and a half refused. So the majority of those surveyed did not have school age children. If I may just uh we last year again we decided to hold off on the override. That was the correct decision. I believe that to this day because two things number one no one could have accused us of acting in bad faith. Nobody. That's why you saw no organized opposition from anyone. Number two, it also tells me that that had we had floated both would have failed and we would have thought they failed for different reasons. Now I know right if they if we floated both and they both went down then we would have said that's what we did it we we we
078floated both we should have done that but they would have failed either way. So the numbers had nothing to do with anything. The lineup had nothing to do with anything. We caught it in a bad year and we didn't message. We this election we lost it before it went to the ballot. So So we have to vote it now. we have the full I think your summary is is and that's just a I mean that's a that's a good summary I think for everybody to hear and that because we did I mean that was very that was very well st you know at the time but now how you're summarizing what what the results are and what would have happened you're you're obviously we don't know for sure but yes I would just based on
079the statistics of what we saw as well so we're we're in a we're in a place of of we have to, you know, be thinking about what are some of our next steps and where we're at. Um, and the committee is going to have to make some decisions of because we want to we want to give an update to the governing board. The next time the governing board will be uh meeting is April 7th. Um, so it's an opportunity at that time to provide an update uh of where the you know the committee is at if there's and be I think we we can take a few more comments tonight. We don't want to go too long and be labor it and but we would want to say though is that on the 28th is
080when we would make the the formal recommendation whether it's one the other both neither. So um really need to hear from the group now is is that is there a is there some strong uh feelings on what we might be thinking is should be uh presented in that or whether a committee wants to go at that time wants to start I think both I think both need to go up I think we need to hit the messaging hard and there's several different things we can do that but I think it's very much needed I think it is we are outside of the three pages of a ballot to vote on where it takes you 45 minutes and 800 different that you by the time you got to the end of it you didn't even your
081eyes were crossed I'm just going to vote no you know I don't know but I think this is the opportunity and like I said sometimes systems have to fail before people truly understand it and I think we have seen enough of a failure that we have people's attention so I think now is the time to start the conversation but my vote right now would be and I do not see changing to do both of them. I would I would fully agree with that. Um I think the only thing that we need to consider is our the new costs. Um because as a year goes by, we we're going to have more things that are in need. Um so do we make sure that the board knows that or do we stick with these same numbers?
082you want to once again Pat has an opinion. Um so we've lost our buffer uh with the override. The bond needs have not gone away. Um if anything they've increased um so those needs are out there. They're going to continue strongly feel strongly and again I'm very much an optimist that we can do both. Not if we can. the the numbers that you provided about districts coming out with both and being successful are encouraging. Okay. Educating the public to the actual what's really going on, what's the difference, why are we in this situation, how do we get here are necessary. 100% agree with Johnny Melton. We did the right thing. Um I went home and slept well and I felt like everything was going to go well. But again, when you get down to your
083however many pages of a ballot and I'm voting on my 35th judge who I have no idea who that person is, do we retain? I'm sorry. It gets lost in the shuffle. We've got an opportunity with timing right now to get away from that and get back into it. And I think that's that does not need cannot be understated. We need the timing is here. The override is gone after this. I just pulled it up from our our last meeting, but after year fiscal year 25 26 coming up, we're 100% funded with the override. Going into fiscal year 2627, we go to 66 down to 33 and then it ends. Correct? That's when the cuts happen. That's when we see impact. That's when we see we lose start losing programs. Don't look now, but surprise
084is blowing up. Daart school district is growing. There's needs. people expect that certain level of customer service that we provide and we do an excellent job at that. So, we need to continue that. So, we'd be remiss, I feel, if we didn't go out for both. And again, if you've got a different opinion, absolutely. But I feel incredibly strong that both need to go out. I do think you do bring up a good point. The numbers should be looked at. Personally, on the override, the 15%, that's a done deal. I don't think we mess around with going 13 10. Now you have to start looking at potential cuts for reasons that just really shouldn't be that big. We should be able to get that 15 across, especially when easily 80% of the school districts that
085do those that you showed us, they're going 15%. The bond needs, again, we've we've we've discussed this at length. Those needs are still there and growing. I mean, how much are the elevators going to set us back, Craig? You know what I'm saying? I mean, it's these are things that we Nobody thought about that. You know, you don't think about elevators breaking. they just work until they don't and then all of a sudden now you're like well we've got problems. So again the education of the public seeing what's going on watching and listening to them respond to hey this is what we're seeing and feeling their word of mouth on that is our best asset. We need to capitalize on that and go forward with a strong message. I do have a question once everybody's
086discussed on this about the difference between the 7th and 28th as far as actual briefings because I know we have a hard May 9th date that we have to get to or get before that. So when we're done at that moment, I do have a question on that. Absolutely. We'll clarify that. Can we hear from the other uh committee members? We really do want to hear from everybody. Um yes, I'm for both of them. Um I just have a question about and maybe we'll have to talk about it later. um how do you get the information out? I knew I do understand like from standpoint Miss Kelly you're talking about people are talking about it but for me I guess I look at it at as which generation is talking about it which person is
087actually talking about it being parent guardian grandparent is it a community member is it someone I I'm not not specifically to you I get what you're saying and I look at I read through my social media and I go to the meetings And um most of the people that I talk to or that are at meetings that go to the meetings just at one school in particular, they're all um boomers generation. So, and I I gravitate to them because my parents, they grew up supporting the school, working in the school. Um, but there's a huge gap, not talking about the gap in generations, but a huge gap in the understanding of who the responsibility for the child is and where they work through that because most of the people on where I live at um
088I'm just saying outside looking in and it could be it could be not, but their grandparents taking care of the children and then they have greatgrandchildren that are getting ready to get hit with this um preschool, kindergarten, uh first, second grade, um math and reading, the programs. Um so that's just a question I have like I don't know if it's directly right now. Um but I am for both. I just believe there's a huge gap and not just generational gap, but of the responsibility, but that's that's statewide. That's it is. It is. Then if I can step in and just say we have an opportunity here because who's going to who's going to pass this is going to be your voters. So I don't think there's an R or a D on this. This is
089about our families. This is about our community. This is about our life. So we live in in a congressional district that has R&D committees. You have precinct committeemen. You have precinct captains. These are people embedded in these neighborhoods. I am one of them. You have access to roles. We have hit them up apps that we have learned to do it on as my old self doing it via a text message. This is who we need to hit up to join forces with to have these conversations at the libraries in through text messages through the precinct captains because it's your voters that need to understand. So it's from 18 all the way up and that's where we have access to the roles are. I think if we come at it using the forces that we have
090to continue the conversations that are happening in an educated way rather than it being opinion or I think I think when you have the hard facts to hold these discussions and you can present them and offer a chance to have the discussions we have the opportunity to do that. That's my opinion. No, thank you. You articulated well. I just wanted someone else to say it so that they can hear it like but I I feel you. I'm totally um I do feel like it is kind of all or nothing. I don't I wasn't I wasn't able to do anything after last February because unfortunately I I lost my job so I felt bad that I wasn't able to help out with any kind of education or just getting out into the public to help and
091get the message out as to why this vote needs to pass. But I think in 2025 with fewer issues on the ballot, we can be more razor focused on this and let people know, listen, this is how much it's going to cost. If you can give up a couple of coffees a month or a few meals, a couple of eating out eating out less per year, that way we won't have to worry about a ceiling leaking water or a chiller going bad or a bus breaking down. These are things that we have to educate them on and we can be really laser focused on it and go at them with both the bond and the override and let them know we need another bus depot up north. We can't continue to drive kids all the
092way from Asante down past this area and send them to school. They they shouldn't have to go as far. So, I think we need to go with both and keep the number the same because otherwise it's going to grow. The number is going to grow. talking about security. What was that the meeting we had months ago about removing social workers from that? That's going to add more money to security possibly because students would possibly be at greater risk because of social issues that are not addressed. So I say we do both. I'll go I'll be quick. You have no choice. We have to do both. Oh, um the bond and the over I agree with um what everyone else has said just in terms of the time being right and that there I think that
093the community has seen that there is a need for um the things that we are requesting and so that's that would be my recommendation would be to go for both the bond and the override at this time. Thank you, Shannon. Johnny, did you have any other Yeah. Did you want to Yes. Uh it's very simple. You don't have a choice. We have to go for both that we don't have the luxury anymore. So, the question is numbers. Don't worry. I the bond number is not going to matter. I will defer to the governing board if they want to change the andm number to 13 or 14.5%. Probably leave it at 15. If it fails for some reason, come back in 26 at a different number. But I don't know if numbers are going to really
094move. This is not going to fall on partisan lines. It's not going to fall on a number line. If you want to win the message, if you want to win this, you're going to have to get a new pack manager. Okay. And real quickly, as far as messaging, what we have to educate the public on is making sure that they vote for the city of Surprise. Don't vote for themselves. I mean, even if you know, if the the older communities, vote for what the city wants. We have to make sure that they understand that it is a vote for everybody, not just not just them. With both of those and I I believe we've heard um from everybody uh if there's an intention to make a recommendation and and and Patrick, I know you've been
095the spokesperson to speak to the governing board. the the element of of the of both of those um I liked what you said there Mr. Melton is that um is that if you you know the governing board will make the decisions on those the recommendation can come from the committee um understanding of those pieces as Midell educates you know just you know and brings that information forward she can provide that information of this is the difference between 15% 13% 10% those impacts of those monies but at least there's an understanding there um and uh and but that's the the message conveyed as we heard very much if I'm wrong somebody say but I was hearing stay at 15% was the recommendation and then I heard stay at a recommendation of 127 million as a recommendation
096those are pieces that you you know but I also believe that what Mr. Melton said needs to be taken into consideration is is that that element of making adjustments to those numbers if needed based on the feelings of because there's that part of it and maybe it's the political side to it. I don't want you know we purposely then looked at okay prior we tried to prioritize the list right so you're going to go after what's absolutely necessary and so if numbers are adjusted so there's there's an element to that but this committee does have the right to bring forward that recommendation at the same amount so the approach that Johnny and Kelly were referring to and others touched on it. I I don't I we don't need to adjust the numbers. The 15% is
097fine. The one 127 million is fine. If they want to bring it down a little bit, Craig, you did an awesome job. You guys and and company about going through and looking at do we need this? You know, the the restroom needs and the things like that. I can tell you as being a coach at one of those schools, yes, those are needs. So, I don't see they need to go away. Our approach needs to be from the moment we put a recommendation in front of the governing board and the governing board makes a decision if they choose to support that, our next steps, our actions of getting the message out using um the people that are already actively involved with that, getting it out and then not having to fight through all of these
098different things that goes in a in a in a major election year. That's our that's our strength right now. That's going to be our our push to get this. Whether you like politics or not, it doesn't matter. But they're they're there. That's how we get this out. And your message with the city that we're voting as a community now. There is no R&D in this. There's no indiv. This is community looking out for our kids, our community moving forward. Period. We want to maintain the level that Daizart has achieved. We're already there as a school district. We need to maintain that. To do that, we need your help. And that's the message that's got to get out there and it's got to be strong. And I 100% agree. And I don't know if this is
099the right place to say it, but we can do better with our approach through our pack and everything else. Way better. Um I'm I'm just going to leave it at that. I'm not here to bash anybody. I'm just saying we can do better. We all know it. That said, we learned and it's important to learn your lessons. I like the fact I I don't you know that you know it failed this that but I like that we need to move forward now. The timing is here. We'd be remiss if we didn't. Here's the fact. If we do neither one of these things, we get nothing. Okay, that's not acceptable. We do one or the other, we still have the need on the other side of the fence. Go for both. What's the worst they could
100do? Tell us no. Okay, right now we don't have either one. So, let's go. You know what I'm saying? but let's do it the right way with the next steps after that recommendation assuming that the governing board would support the recommendation this committee brings forward. Thank you, Patrick. And and uh um so when you were asking for clarification, um the summary on April 7th would be of what was talked and and done in this meeting, the process that just took place um and can also be presented is is that the recommendation that's going to be made on the 28th is this. So you can let the governing board know that these are the recommendations that are going to come forward on the 28th. The 28th is the formal recommendation date. Do we have to make
101that motion at this meeting? No. The we do technically we do not because this was right. I I do I do believe us take you know for us to do a final vote if that's something we want to do. Absolutely. We can do that but I don't believe it was necessary for that piece. And every did and every committee member everybody that was in here did did voice their opinion and we heard both and if I summarize override to make a recommendation at 15% and then for bond stay at the current amount and allow the governing board to evaluate and and make the final decision on both of those. Yeah. I Shannon. He says yes. There you go. I heard I Mary D. Is there anything else that we need to hit before we wrap
102up? I think that's wrapped up. Well, yes. Thank you. So, we've been a little bit over. So, thank you all. Thank you everybody. All right. Thank you so much for all your input. We appreciate it.