On Nov. 4, 2025 Chandler Unified School District voters approved both a district bond and a budget override. The bond provided funding for facility improvements, safety upgrades, staffing support, and technology improvements across campuses.
Bonds and overrides are funding mechanisms school districts utilize to address different types of needs across schools. The $271 million CUSD bond specifically pays for capital projects such as building repairs, safety, technology, infrastructure, and transportation. These issues or concerns can range from large to small, such as roofing on schools to replacing the computers used by students. The connected override gives districts additional funding for the next seven years; no renewal by the fifth year causes the funding levels to decrease.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Lana Berry, who is responsible for the district’s accounting, budget control, and finances, elaborated on how the bond affects different parts of the CUSD district. Berry explained, “It’s renovating those 5.5 (Acres) anywhere from the carpets to the flooring, to the sewer systems, but also to the innovative stuff, which is the academic side.”
In this case, the term bond refers to the larger issues in the school districts. Berry added, “So bonds… There’s those big ticket items. Buildings, buses and technology.” Schools are chosen for renovations and improvements based on age, wear, or emergencies. Overrides refer to people, staff, programs, and the community. The override permits the CUSD district to spend 15% more than the state allows per child. Berry noted, “They’re operational costs… it’s really almost all in salaries or in the programs that we offer.”
The bond will have an estimated tax impact of $32 per year on a $100,000 house. So, the average homeowner with a $300,000 house would have a tax impact of about $101 per year. The tax impact will be drawn out of the homeowners property taxes. The override will have a larger tax impact with $109 per year on an $100,000 house and $349 per year on a $300,000 house. With the approval of the bond, the projected rate is said to remain constant although property values are subject to change.
The district provides public information on how funds are allocated. When funds are needed, the district presents the project to the CUSD Board of Education where the board can deny or approve of the request. From there, voters decide whether or not the usage of money will be necessary through a ballot. Berry explained, “Every dollar amount that’s over $250,000, we have to ask our board for permission to enter that contract.” When bond dollars are used on campus, oftentimes there are signs that allow voters to view how the bond dollars are being used. Berry noted, “People hopefully can physically see those things too.”
As the bond and override take effect, the CUSD district will continue to outline how the funds will be used across campuses.
For more information, visit https://www.cusd80.com/about-us/election.
![[Left to Right] Seniors Cohen Widmann, Elizabeth Tidwell, Arizbeth Vargas-Hernandez, Rylee Johnson, and Beth Nelson practice gowning for veterinary surgery at EVIT. They hope to use their skills learned in EVIT for their future professions](https://phsprecedent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_4694_1-e1747265028350-1200x900.jpg)
