Elections in odd-numbered years aren’t known for being high-profile affairs. But in terms of their crucial importance for the future well-being of this region, some of the most important questions on Nov. 3 ballots this year will be in seven Pima County school districts.

They’re all propositions numbered in the 400s.

Depending on the district, the ballot measures fall into three categories:

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• A request to exceed state operational budget limitations, either by 10 percent for district-wide maintenance and operations (M&O) or by 5 percent for specific programs of children in kindergrarten through 3rd grade. These overrides are good for seven years but they are phased down during the last two years so districts usually seek to renew them before the end of the fifth year.

• A capital budget override to raise a specific amount of money each year for seven years to be used for such things as computers and technology, furniture, fixtures, equipment and library resources.

• Bond elections to pay for building construction projects.

At the risk of being all too brief, we support every district’s effort to renew overrides for operational budgets. Districts that have demonstrated their ability to use money wisely should be rewarded. We also support capital budget override requests where, not surprisingly, districts are proposing to spend money to upgrading technology. And, finally, we also support proposals to sell bonds for construction, which this state has never fully funded.

That leaves only one school proposition we cannot support: Tucson Unified’s request for a new M&O budget override. It’s a poorly planned proposal offering vague promises. As an example, proponents are campaigning that it would “guarantee” funding for full-day kindergarten. Although the issue was raised in the Legislature, the state is continuing to fund full-day kindergarten so a TUSD proposal is unnecessary. That begs the question what do TUSD officials propose to do with the money if they get it? 

To summarize we encourage yes votes on these propositions:

Amphitheater Public Schools:

Proposition 403 renewal of an M&O budget override.

Proposition 404, a $2 million per year capital override.

Catalina Foothills School District:

Proposition 407, a $22.8 million bond election to buy school buses (which are currently leased) and maintain facilities, including energy-saving upgrades.

Indian Oasis-Baboquivari Unified School District:

Proposition 413 renewal of an M&O budget override.

Proposition 414 renewal of a K-3 budget override.

Sahuarita Unified School District:

Proposition 410 renewal of an M&O budget override.

Proposition 411 to sell $27 million bond in bonds for a new high school and other capital projects.

Proposition 412 to use investment earnings for bond projects.

Tanque Verde Unified School District:

Proposition 405 renewal of an M&O budget override. 

Proposition 406 to sell $14 million in bonds to separate the district’s middle school and high school.

Tucson Unified School District:

Proposition 402, a $9 million per year capital override.

Vail Unified School District:

Proposition 408 to sell $15 million on bonds to expand overcrowded facilities.

Proposition 409 renewal of an M&O budget override.

Vote no on:

Tucson Unified School District:

Proposition 401 new 10 percent override.