Proposition 320 would require certain Arizona school districts to direct at least 60% of their operating budgets to classroom instruction, with districts that fall short facing potential reductions in state funding. Most districts in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties currently do not meet that level.
The measure would apply to districts with more than 7,500 students or those in counties with populations above 500,000. Public charter school districts and private schools would not be covered.
Beginning with the 2027-28 school year, districts would have to raise their direct-instruction share by half a percentage point annually until reaching 60%. For each year a district remained out of compliance, it could lose one-fourth of its Arizona Classroom Site Fund allocation. The fund provides an average of about $12,000 toward an Arizona teacher's salary, according to the Auditor General.
The initiative would also give the Auditor General authority to determine which expenses qualify toward the threshold. Its current instructional-spending calculation includes certified teachers, teacher assistants, substitutes and instructional materials, but excludes special education support, math and literacy coaches, and teacher professional development, according to Adrian De Alba, chief financial officer for Phoenix Union High School District.
Only two districts in the state's three largest counties currently meet the 60% mark: Arlington Elementary School District, with 62.8%, and Red Rock Elementary School District in Pinal County, with 60.5%. Sentinel Elementary School District in Dateland and Baboquivari Unified School District in Pima County would need to increase their current shares of 33.5% and 32.2%, respectively, to reach the requirement.
Phoenix Union reports that 47.3% of its budget goes to direct instruction, which would leave the district with more than two decades to reach the target under the annual increases. District officials have discussed possible reductions to transportation, counselors, custodians and school resource officers. Transportation represents 4.6% of the district's budget, and officials said additional reductions would be needed to eliminate 13% of non-instructional spending.
