Fountain Hills board orders special bond election and override; sets filing deadline

The Fountain Hills Unified School District governing board voted to call two elections, adopting separate resolutions to place a bond measure and a district additional assistance (DAA) override on a future ballot.

Doctor Sweeney recommended that the board "consider, discuss, and adopt the accompanying resolution ordering and calling a special bond election" and a separate resolution calling the DAA override; both motions were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Doctor Sweeney said the packet included sample resolutions, exhibits and compliance language the district would follow.

A member of the public, Tina LaVita, told the board she supports the district’s plan to put a bond and the override "on the ballot for November" and said volunteers in the community would help with outreach via social media and letters to the editor.

Doctor Sweeney noted that outside advisors were available to answer technical questions: Randy Stein of Stifel attended in person and Jim Gheel of Gust Rosenfeld was available by telephone. The board recorded that the deadline for submitting arguments for and against the override to the Maricopa County School Superintendent is Aug. 12, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., per the materials provided to trustees.

Board members did not record individual tallies in the transcript beyond the meeting’s voice vote of "aye," and no nay votes were heard during the motions. The board did not specify a final ballot date in the motion text recorded in the transcript; public comment referenced November as a target month.

Next steps listed in the packet include finalizing legal exhibits and language required under applicable law and coordinating filing with the Maricopa County School Superintendent's office.