Why the WESD Community is Voting Yes
A YES vote to renew the Washington Elementary School District Maintenance and Operating override is a vote not only for strong schools, but a vote for a stronger future for the City of Phoenix. Supporting the M&O override will allow WESD to continue providing the world class education we’ve come to expect.
A YES vote supports important programs such as full-day kindergarten, music instruction, and Physical Education. It also will allow WESD to attract great teachers and staff.
As the Mayor of Phoenix, and the mom of a young student, I know the importance and impact of high quality schools to our region. It’s why people choose to live here and why many employers relocate to Phoenix. We all benefit when we have strong schools – safer neighborhoods, a highly qualified workforce for businesses, and higher incomes.
Because the WESD override is a renewal and a continuation of an existing override, it’s not a new tax.
Please join me in supporting the renewal of the Washington Elementary override - for high quality programs for our students and families. Vote YES!
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego
Phoenix Councilwoman Ann O’Brien
As an Arizona native, former school board member, and now member of the Phoenix City Council, I know the importance of strong schools for our community. Please join me in renewing the Washington Elementary School District override.
The WESD Override is a continuation of an existing override, which means it’s not a new tax for Phoenicians and also funds award winning programs in our schools - like full-day kindergarten, art, music, and physical education. High-quality schools and a well-rounded education prepare students for the future and build a stronger future for themselves and the city of Phoenix.
The override also supports teacher salaries so that WESD can attract and retain the quality educators that our children deserve.
Vote YES on the Washington Elementary override for stronger schools and for a brighter future for Phoenix.
As the councilwoman for Phoenix District 5, I’m proud of my work to empower working families. Supporting local schools is one of the best ways to do that. Quality education lasts a lifetime, teaching essential skills that set students up for success in life and in the workforce.
WESD, Arizona’s largest elementary school district, plays a critical role in that effort in District 5. WESD serves more than 18,000 students at 33 schools where nearly all are rated excellent or highly performing and the number of “A” rated schools has tripled in the last seven years.
I’m supporting the Washington Elementary School District Override so that they can continue to provide a quality education for today’s students and support the working families that power our city. The WESD override supports competitive salaries for teachers and staff and important programs like all-day kindergarten and art, music, and PE. These are programs that families rely on to give their children a well-rounded education and set them up for success.
Strong schools are an essential part of strong Phoenix. Vote YES on the Washington Elementary Override!
Phoenix Councilwoman Betty Guardado
Phoenix Councilwoman Deb Stark
On the Phoenix City Council, one of my top priorities is economic development and job growth. That starts with high quality education. Without strong schools, we would lack the workforce that attracts employers and high wage jobs to Phoenix.
That’s why I’m supporting the Washington Elementary School District Override. The WESD override funds important programs in our schools - competitive salaries, full-day kindergarten, art, music, and more. And because it’s a renewal of an existing override, it’s not a new tax on residents either.
Our city is growing and we need schools that support that growth. WESD is the largest elementary school district in the state of Arizona, serving more than 18,000 students at 33 schools. Without this important funding, those students may not be able to receive the well-rounded education they deserve.
Vote YES on the Washington Elementary override for a stronger Phoenix.
County Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee
As a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, former state senator, former member of the Washington Elementary School District (WESD) Governing board, and proud parent of three Washington Elementary alumni, I urge a YES vote on the WESD override.
My passion for great schools for all children led to my public service. After more than two decades of serving my community, I know that strong schools build strong communities. Let’s do all we can to educate future generations and prepare them to be successful adults.
The WESD override helps fund programs like art, music, PE, and all-day kindergarten. It ensures the district can compete for great teachers who make all the difference in a child’s education.
This override is not a new tax on residents. It is a renewal of the existing override, which continues, but does not increase, the current tax.
Please join me in voting YES for quality education and excellence in WESD schools.
I write both as a Washington Elementary School District taxpayer and as a parent of two successful children who attended WESD schools. In my experience, WESD provides a world class, high quality education to its students. That’s why we sent our kids there and why we volunteered on site council and the PTA. Together, my wife and I saw firsthand the support and care which WESD staff provide for students.
I’m voting YES on the WESD override because it provides crucial funding for our neighborhood schools. Without it, funding for important programs like art, music, PE, and full-day kindergarten would be cut and the district wouldn’t be able to provide competitive salaries to their talented staff - no doubt losing them to other districts.
Strong schools mean strong communities, and WESD truly is the backbone of our neighborhood. Their excellent reputation increases our property values and attracts businesses looking to relocate, bringing good-paying jobs to our area. Better yet, because this is a renewal of an existing override, it is not a new tax.
Vote YES on the WESD Override for our community.
Jeff Spellman, Parent
As a State Senator, proudly representing West Phoenix, advocating for our public schools is one of my top priorities. That’s why I’m urging a YES vote on the Washington Elementary School District Override.
WESD is an important part of my district. It serves more than 18,000 students at 33 schools in Phoenix and Glendale, making it the largest elementary school district in Arizona. Those students deserve a high quality, equitable education. Because of funding differentials between public and charter schools, overrides like this are needed to level the playing field for neighborhood schools. It funds essential programs like full-day kindergarten, art, music, and PE.
As a former teacher, I know the importance of offering competitive salaries and the WESD override funds just that. Investing in our teachers is essential to the future success of our state. We need to retain our talented educators and can only do that when we offer competitive salaries.
Education is the ladder of success for the next generation. By voting YES on the WESD override, you are creating greater opportunities for our children and preparing them to succeed and have flourishing careers in Arizona.
State Senator Flavio Bravo
David Camps, Parent & Taxpayer
As a Washington Elementary School District taxpayer and parent of two current students and three more who’ve graduated to high school - I can’t say enough about the value of a WESD education. High quality teachers, excellent support staff, innovative programs, and a well-rounded education.
None of that happens without community support - that’s why I’m advocating for a YES vote on WESD’s override. The override funds so many of the important programs we rely on - full-day kindergarten, art, music, and PE - not to mention the competitive salaries that allow WESD to hire and keep great staff.
As a taxpayer, I also care a lot about making sure that my tax dollars are put to good use - without waste or graft. WESD is one of the places that I trust to spend our tax money appropriately. They make sure more money goes into the classroom and that we get good results. They were just recently voted a top ten elementary school district in all of Arizona. Additionally, because this is a renewal of an existing override, it’s not a new tax either.
Please join me in supporting the WESD Override.
We write to urge a YES vote on the Washington Elementary override in order to keep our schools and community strong. Our local elementary schools are a cornerstone of our community, preparing the next generation for life.
WESD is not just the largest elementary school district in Arizona, but one of the state’s best districts anywhere. Almost every school is rated excellent or highly performing and the number of A rated schools has tripled in the last 7 years.
The override on this November’s ballot will allow WESD to continue that important work, it funds full-day kindergarten and special area programs like art, physical education, and music. It also allows the district to maintain competitive salaries for teachers and other support staff, allowing the district to attract and retain quality staff.
The funding we put into our schools is an investment in our future - for a qualified workforce, a highly educated citizenry, and a stronger economy for all. Great neighborhood schools are also known to increase property values for residents.
Please join us in supporting local schools and students and voting YES on the Washington Elementary Override.