RESTORATION OF THE M&O OVERRIDE IS CRUCIAL TO OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY
What is an M&O Override?
The restoration of the M&O override is critical to ensuring that our Deer Valley classrooms continue to thrive. By renewing this override, we safeguard the funding that covers approximately 8.5% of all staff salaries—helping us retain experienced teachers and support personnel. Without it, class sizes would spike by over three students per classroom, straining both educators and learners. This funding also guarantees full-day kindergarten, specialized learning programs, and a wide range of extracurricular activities that keep students engaged and motivated. Additionally, it preserves essential support services—such as school counselors and nurses—and maintains the 10% of school and department budgets that pays for instructional materials, technology, and enrichment opportunities. Voting yes on the M&O override means protecting the quality of education and support our children deserve.
STAFF SALARIES
Approximately 8% of all DVUSD staff salaries are funded by M&O override, keeping our district competitive in pay
CLASSROOM SIZES
Retains maximum classroom sizes - without continuation, classroom sizes could increase an average of 3 students
FULL-DAY KINDER
Continue FREE, full-day Kindergarten and specialized programs to better support students and families
EXTRACURRICULARS
Continue to support extracurricular activities for students - athletics, fine arts, and more specialized programs
SUPPORT SERVICES
Continue to provide counselors and support services staff that directly impact the success and well-being of our students
SCHOOL BUDGETS
Continue to provide a portion (10%) of school and department budgets to ensure educators and students have what they need
The M&O Override funding will allow for DVUSD to remain competitive in per-pupil funding, staff pay, and help ensure that programs the students and community love remain intact.
What Will the M&O Override Pay For?
The Override funding plays a crucial role in maintaining the high-quality educational experiences our students deserve. Only half-day instructional time is funded by Arizona State school funding with the additional cost for full-day kindergarten coming from the override, ensuring every young student in DVUSD gets a strong start in their educational journey. It ensures that class sizes remain manageable.
Additionally, it supports a rich variety of co-curricular and extracurricular activities, including the arts, athletics, and specialized programs like gifted services, language immersion programs, online education, ROTC, and more. The funds are also key in attracting and retaining teachers and staff, with 8% of their existing salaries dependent on the override.
As well as continuing support services staff, such as counseling, nursing, literacy, and instructional technology positions. By supporting this override, we’re investing in a comprehensive educational framework that benefits every student, from the support they receive from counselors and nurses to the advanced technology and resources available to them.
Will this Increase my Property Tax Rate?
The district’s override committee has diligently worked to propose a restoration of the 15% override that failed to pass in 2024. This is a strategic move to sustain our educational excellence. This effort ensures that we can continue to fund essential staff and beloved programs—from fine arts to athletics—without increasing your current tax rate.
The proposed restoration rate of $20.67 per month, based on the average assessed home value, ensures that our schools can keep thriving without financial burden on our families. Supporting this override is a vote for educational stability and excellence, safeguarding the future of our students and the vibrancy of our community.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
An M&O Override is needed to authorize additional local funding beyond what the State of Arizona provides, enabling us to support and enhance instructional programs that our community values. This ensures our schools have the resources to offer a quality education tailored to our students’ needs.
The 2025 M&O Override Initiative is focused on maintaining optimal class sizes, supporting a wide range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities including the arts, athletics, and specialized student programs like gifted and language immersion. It aims to secure funding to attract and retain high-quality teachers and staff, provide dedicated funding for full-day kindergarten, address specific school and department needs, and continue essential support services such as counseling and nursing.
Deer Valley Unified School District is seeking voter authorization to restore receiving M&O Override funding, which is crucial for maintaining the quality of our educational programs. Since M&O Override funding is only fully secured for five years at a time, it requires renewal through voter approval at least every five years to ensure ongoing support.
If the override is not restored, the District will continue to face a significant reduction in funding, leading to an inability to maintain current levels of programs and services.
The restoration of the override will cost the average homeowner approximately $284.04 per year, or $20.67 per month.
