Tuesday's election will determine whether school districts across the state receive additional funds through bonds and overrides to pay for new buildings, buses, programs, and teachers.
"I think that, frankly, if we just funded schools the way we should in the state, we wouldn't have to do this," said Corey Woods, co-chair of Tempe Union High School District's 'YES Support Out Schools' campaign.
"We need to do whatever we can to ensure that teachers are properly compensated for the amount of work that they do with our kids," he said.
Tempe Union's more than $11-million override would go toward teacher pay increases.
Phoenix Union High School District wants $300-million through an override and bonds to build a new school, renovate current facilities and fund elective programs.
The Chandler Unified School District says an override is necessary to "reduce the district's need to eliminate effective programs and services" for families.
Twenty-two school districts in Maricopa County are seeking millions in bonds and overrides. In most cases, voters will decide if a property-tax increase is worth it.
The amount varies by the proposal; in Tempe Union's case, Woods' said it would cost voters about $70 a year.
Of the 22 proposals in Maricopa County, just one, Tempe Union, had an argument submitted against it.
The voter did not agree on how the district selected textbooks in the past and said he would rather support private school vouchers.
