Tuesday, Nov. 3 is Election Day, an important day in Maricopa. Early ballots are distributed. Please remember to vote, and when you do, I offer the following considerations.

City council: There are 4 candidates running for 2 seats, incumbents Henry Wade and Vince Manfredi, along with two new candidates, Tena Dugan and Chrystal O’Jon. A Councilmember’s term is 4 years, which provides considerable time to make decisions and take action on myriad local and regional issues. Councilmembers are nonpartisan, and while each holds certain preferences and political ideologies, ultimately their individual and collective goal should be doing what’s best for Maricopa regardless of political affiliation.

One such person who will do that is Tena Dugan. I have seen first-hand her tenacity, thirst for knowledge gained through diligent research, and the ability to speak up. She has a strong voice and will not hesitate to use it on behalf of all constituents to question, demand accountability and transparency, and make informed decisions. Please cast your vote for Tena Dugan for City Council.

School board: MUSD has made some very prudent and fiscally responsible decisions over the years, and that begins with a strong board in collaboration with an exemplary Superintendent and executive staff. That’s one reason I urge you to vote for Patti Coutre. I have known Patti for many years and have come to appreciate her passion and commitment to quality education and responsible leadership on the MUSD School Board. Please vote for Patti Coutre.

Proposition 414, Maricopa’s General Plan: This guiding document must be voter approved every 10 years. Our first approval was in 2006, so it’s only the second time it has appeared on the ballot. It provides direction and strategy for general land use. As many will understand, it’s not the final say as the city, often supported by our Planning & Zoning Commission as well as City Council, has allowed numerous changes since 2006. Whether you agree with those changes or not, the General Plan is essential in continuing to move Maricopa forward. It will appear on the ballot again in 2036, and a lot will happen between now and then. This is one voter opportunity to influence how Maricopa grows. Please vote YES on Prop 414.

Proposition 416, MUSD’S continued override: Quality education is one of the three top considerations when business or industry invests in a community. It starts in our schools.

One of the first questions investors/developers ask concerns “workforce” – the quantity and quality of people who will become employees, managers, and executives. MUSD has made some excellent choices in providing educational opportunities, among them the Alma Farrell Innovation Academy – the first K-8 school of its kind in Arizona, and the Workforce Development Center at the Maricopa High School campus. The override is essential to continued funding which enables smaller class sizes, technology investments, and the RAM academy. This is NOT a new tax, but a continuation. Without this funding, MUSD schools will have to make unwanted cuts that will diminish or possibly eliminate existing programs and services. Our growth will continue, and quality education remains a top priority. Please vote yes on Prop 416.

Proposition 320 – Required funding on “direct instructional expenses:” This initiative sounds reasonable at first glance, but like much proposed legislation, it actually causes more problems than it solves. It also only applies to certain school districts. Charter schools are exempt.

If approved, Prop 320 requires school districts like MUSD to spend 60% of their annual operating budget on “direct instructional expenses”. If passed, it takes away local control and strips local school boards and staff of the ability to spend money where it has the highest/greatest benefit. Additionally, some of the things note included: bus transportation, food programs/lunches, nurses, counselors and counseling services, custodial staff, staff professional development, utilities (heat, lights, A/C, etc.), school resource/safety officers and more. Grants would also impact the “bottom line”, making it more difficult to operate efficiently.

Help keep control local and empower the school board leaders who we elect and who then hire the superintendent to manage their own budgets. Please Vote NO on Prop 320.

Thank you, and please remember to vote!

Peg Chapados
Former Maricopa City Councilmember