Require Certain School Districts to Spend 60% of Operational Spending on Direct Instruction Measure
Public Education Funding & Governance
Summarized
What Would This Do?
Proposition 320 would require school districts with more than 7,500 students, or districts located in a county with a population greater than 500,000, to spend at least 60% of their operational budget on "direct instructional expenses." The measure itself does not define that term — it directs the state Auditor General to define it.
Districts spending below 60% would have to increase their proportional spending on direct instruction by at least 0.5 percentage points per year, starting in fiscal year 2027-2028, until they reach the 60% threshold. If the Auditor General finds a district out of compliance with either the 60% requirement or the annual increase, the state would reduce that district's allocation from the Classroom Site Fund for that year.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction could grant a district a one-year waiver from the requirement.
A “Yes” Vote
A "yes" vote supports requiring school districts with more than 7,500 students, or in counties with more than 500,000 people, to spend at least 60% of their budget on direct instructional expenses as defined by the Auditor General, with funding penalties for non-compliant districts.
A “No” Vote
A "no" vote opposes this spending requirement, maintaining current law governing school district budgets.
Official Language
Full Legal Text
Ballot Title & Summary (as filed with the Secretary of State)
Ballot Title
PROPOSITION 320 — REFERRED TO THE PEOPLE BY THE LEGISLATURE RELATING TO SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGETS. OFFICIAL TITLE: AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 9, ARTICLE 1, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES BY ADDING SECTION 15-917. DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: REQUIRES CERTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO SPEND AT LEAST SIXTY PERCENT OF THEIR OPERATIONAL SPENDING ON DIRECT INSTRUCTIONAL EXPENSES AS DEFINED BY THE AUDITOR GENERAL; REDUCES CERTAIN STATE FUNDING FOR NON-COMPLIANT DISTRICTS.
Ballot Summary
A "yes" vote shall have the effect of: (1) requiring school districts with 7,500 or more students in any county, or that operate in a county with 500,000 or more people, to spend at least 60% of their operational spending on direct instructional expenses; (2) requiring the state Auditor General to define "operational spending" and "direct instructional expenses"; (3) requiring non-compliant school districts to gradually adjust their spending each year until they are in compliance; and (4) requiring the state Department of Education to reduce funding from the state Classroom Site Fund by 25% each year for non-compliant districts, subject to limited waivers the state Superintendent of Public Instruction may authorize. A "no" vote shall have the effect of maintaining the current laws governing school district budgets.
Support
Officials
State Sen. Jake Hoffman (R) · State Rep. Matt Gress (R)
Organizations
Arizona Women of Action · Goldwater Institute
“We have over 3,000 teacher vacancies. ... And yet we're spending more money outside of the classroom year after year after year. We have to reverse that.”
“Prop 320 ensures that school districts prioritize teacher pay in their budgets. School districts consistently say how important their teachers are, but many Arizonans would be shocked to learn that teacher salaries often account for less than half of a district's budget.”
Opposition
Officials
State Sen. Denise Epstein (D)
Former Officials
State Rep. Isela Blanc (D)
Unions
Arizona Education Association
Organizations
Arizonans for Quality Education · Civic Engagement Beyond Voting LD3 Democrats Northeastern Maricopa County · League of Women Voters of Arizona · Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona · Mi Familia Vota · Rural Arizona Action · Will of the People
“If a school district spends 59%, they shouldn't start losing their funding that goes to performance pay for teachers. That is the wrong idea.”
“[The measure] could lead to fewer resources for students, and it could lead to overall schools in a community being less able to serve the needs of their students.”
“This is an impossible benchmark that schools have not met at any point since 2003 ... 'Direct instructional expenses' only covers teachers, some aides, instructional supplies, field trips and athletics — a narrow definition that doesn't address all the other pieces required to make a kid's school day work, [like] librarians, custodians, counselors, ... technology, building maintenance ... and transportation.”
Verify