Important Communication Tools

We want you to know that you can locate teacher web page information, e-mail addresses, and phone extensions by going to the Staff Listing and Teacher Web Sites page under Contact Us.

Remember that students are supposed to write the objective (information they are learning) and note assigned homework, quiz, and/or scheduled tests in their Student Planner. This is a great tool for parents to dialogue with their children about their day at school.

Check back often to stay informed about the exciting happenings at Combs Middle School!

Thank you for your support in helping your child reach his or her academic potential. Your encouragement and involvement will make all the difference in how your student perceives his or her middle school years. Together, working as a team, we can help your child learn, succeed, and achieve!

Dear Parents, Students and Community:

Throughout the school year, a number of important questions have been raised within our school community regarding the Budget Override process for our school district. Listed below are the questions that were raised by community members with responses.

What is a Budget Override?
School Districts in Arizona are allowed by state law to increase their Maintenance & Operations (M & O) budget each year by up to 15% of the revenue limit imposed by the state legislature. M & O funds are exclusively used for classroom supplies, academic programs, utilities, salaries, and benefits. About half the school districts in Arizona (representing 70-80% of the state’s students) presently have a budget override in place.

How long do Budget Override funds last?
Override funds last for seven years. The district receives full funding for the first five years. If the override is not renewed, the amount decreases by one-third in the sixth year and two-thirds in the seventh year. In year eight, it expires. Even though the continuation of an override is not new taxes, they must be renewed (per state law) through an election to continue for another seven years.

Have voters in the Combs School District passed a Budget Override in the past?
Yes! Combs voters approved a 10% M & O override in 2007. The renewal of that override was NOT approved in the November 2011 election.

As a result of the Budget Override not being renewed in the November 2011 election, what happens? The district must enter into the first phase down period of the override. With the loss of override funding, the district must reduce the budget by $692,480 for 2012-2013. To address these budget challenges, the district is reconfiguring the elementary sites to include sixth grade students. This reconfiguration, along with additional reductions, include: 
- Elimination of 1 Counselor, 1 Security Guard, 3 Elementary Deans, and 3.5 Custodians
- Reduction of Elective Classes and General Music
- Replacing Middle School Sports program with Intramural Sports

What will happen if the Budget Override is not renewed in November of 2012?
The district will be forced to cut the remaining balance of the $2 million dollars in reductions from its operating budget over the next two years. Additional reductions will occur.

If the Override is renewed, what will be the cost to the average taxpayer?
Currently, a homeowner with a home-assessed full cash value of $100,000 is paying $156.50 annually in property taxes. If the 10% budget override is renewed, this same homeowner will pay $155.64 annually – a slight decrease from the current tax rate. This decrease is due to the assessed values of property. If a 15% budget override is approved, this same homeowner will pay an additional $6.49 per month, for a total of $233.46 annually.

When will the M & O Override renewal be on the ballot?
If the J.O. Combs Governing Board calls for the election, the M & O Override will be on the November 6, 2012 ballot. Early voting for this measure will begin October 11, 2012.

Mark Mauro
Principal