2026 Bond and Override Election Information
The Tolleson Union High School District will ask voters within their district boundaries to consider a bond measure and a maintenance and operations budget override in 2026. These measures would provide funding to help address the educational, operational, safety and facility needs of our schools. Arizona’s school funding system does not provide enough funding to meet every local need, which makes voter-approved funding an important resource for school districts.
Strong schools depend on the support and involvement of the community. Tolleson Union High School District is committed to responsibly managing the tax dollars provided by local taxpayers and the State of Arizona while delivering a high-quality education to every student. State and federal funding alone does not fully support the district’s educational, staffing, safety, technology, transportation and facility needs. Voter-approved bonds and overrides provide additional funding that helps the district respond to these needs.
School district budgets are different from household budgets. District funds are divided into specific categories, and state law limits how money from each category may be used. Bond funds support approved capital needs, such as maintaining and improving school sites, replacing aging equipment, providing furniture and technology, purchasing transportation vehicles, and supporting district facilities. Override funding supports ongoing programs and services, including managing class sizes, recruiting and retaining highly qualified employees, athletic programs, counselors, social workers and other essential student supports.
If you have questions that are not answered online, please contact Tolleson Union High School District at 623-478-4000. District staff will be happy to provide additional information.
Important Dates
- Monday, October 5: Voter Registration Deadline
- Wednesday, October 7: Early Voting Begins
- Tuesday, October 27: Mail-In Ballot Deadline
- Tuesday, November 3: Election Day
Please see below for information in both English and Spanish on our upcoming bond election and override election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Please register to vote by Monday, October 5.
We invite you to watch our videos below to learn more about the proposed improvements for both Sierra Linda and La Joya Community High Schools.
La Joya Facility Improvements (English)
Sierra Linda Facility Improvements (English)
Proposed Sierra Linda Facility Improvements
La Joya Facility Improvements (Spanish)
Sierra Linda Facility Improvements (Spanish)
La Joya Community Facility Improvements
2026 Bond Information Proposed Use of Bond Proceeds – English
2026 Bond Information Proposed Use of Bond Proceeds – Spanish
2026 Maintenance and Operation Budget Override – English
2026 Maintenance and Operation Budget Override – Spanish
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a bond?
A school bond is essentially a loan that a school district takes out to pay for large, one-time capital expenses. It’s different from a district’s regular operating budget, which covers day-to-day costs like teacher salaries, supplies, and utilities. Bonds typically pay for building new schools, health & safety upgrades, building renovations, and more.
2. What is an override?
Maintenance and operations overrides are used to provide additional funding to support people and programs that normally could not be possible with the funding that is received annually from the state of Arizona.
3. How will the bond be spent?
Approximately 97% of the bond proceeds will be used to maintain and improve the 10 schools that fall under the district. Specifically, bond proceeds will be used to improve and replace air conditioning units, repair building roofs, upgrade water heaters, and provide furniture, technology, and equipment to our classrooms.
4. How will the override be spent?
The proceeds of the override will be used for further funding in athletic programs, maintain smaller classroom sizes, improve teacher and staff salaries and provide essential support services like counselors and social workers.
5. What will happen if the override and bond are not approved?
Should the override or bond questions not pass, the district will work within its existing budget to address the resulting challenges and constraints.
6. Can both pass or is one contingent on the other?
Bonds and overrides are independent from each other.
7. How will my taxes be affected?
- If the bond passes, there will be average annual tax rate for the proposed bond authorization of $0.68 per one hundred dollars of net assessed valuation used for secondary property tax purposes
- If the override passes, there will be an increased average homeowner cost of $9.33 dollars a month.
8. I don’t have students in the district (retired, no children, or grown children) what direct benefits would this measure provide to me?
Strong schools benefit the entire community, not just families with children currently enrolled. High-quality schools help protect property values, attract new families and businesses, and contribute to a vibrant, thriving community.
9. Where can I go to find out more information or ask more questions?
Please check our website for more information. You can also ask our governing board or the PAC Committee to do presentations to learn more.
10. Where can I check if I’m registered to vote?
Maricopa County Elections website is a great tool to check your registration status. Visit the website today!
Bond and Override Presentation
