Message from Our Superintendent

Yes to Altar Valley Excellence!

Altar Valley School District is committed to challenging every student to excel. For the past two decades, the Three Points/Robles Junction community has supported Altar Valley School District by voting yes for a 10% maintenance and operations (M&O) override. The district would not be able maintain the level of educational services that Altar Valley students deserve without the support from the community for the M&O override. Since 2000, the community has voted yes to allow the district to fund basic programs such as:

• Full-day kindergarten
• Free athletic programs and drama
• Small class sizes
• Competitive teacher salaries

A yes vote allows the district to continue providing full-day kindergarten for all students at no cost to parents. The facts are very clear - students in full-day kindergarten make greater gains in reading skills, language development, and mathematics. Full-day kindergarten is the foundation needed to reduce future student failure. The state of Arizona only funds half-day kindergarten. The M&O override not only allows the district to provide full-day kindergarten, but also keeps class sizes smaller. If the M&O override does not pass, the district will need to consider:

• Charging a fee for full-day kindergarten with increased class sizes or;
• Reducing the kindergarten experience to a half day, also with increased class sizes 

A yes vote for the override enables the district to maintain low classes throughout the district. The M&O override enables Altar Valley School District to maintain class sizes that average 22 students per class. A continuation of the M&O override will assure on-going sound educational practices that center on adequate teacher-to-student rations at all grade levels. If the override does not pass, the district would need to consider:

• Eliminating teaching positions
• Increasing class sizes throughout the district 

A yes vote for the override allows the district to provide free athletics and drama programs for students. Additionally, it allows us to fund expanded educational programs that include Paxton Patterson, a STEM career exploration program, along with art, library, and physical education. If the override does not pass, the district would need to consider:

• Charging a fee for students to participate in after-school athletics and drama
• Elimination of programs such as art, library, and physical education

A yes vote for the override enables the district to maintain competitive staff salaries. Currently, AVSD’s average annual teacher salary is almost $50,000. The continuation of the M&O override assures our ability to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining qualified teachers. If the override does not pass, the district would need to consider:

• Eliminating teaching positions
• Increased class sizes 

Altar Valley School District governing board and staff are committed to excellence. We are thankful for the nearly 20 years of continued support from the community. The Altar Valley School District M&O override increases the school district’s budget by 10% for seven years, though the last two years are used for phasing out the override by one-third each year. If the override is not approved on November 5, 2019, the district will need to begin implementing the reduction plans outlined above for the 2020–2021 school year.

If you would like to see first-hand how we are using the M&O override dollars, please attend one of our all-star end of year activities happening this month!

Come see the spring drama performance of, Advice from the Desert, on Thursday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Altar Valley Middle School cafeteria.

Altar Valley Night of All-Stars is also a wonderful event to see and experience all the amazing things AVSD students have learned throughout the year on Wednesday, May 15 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at both schools.

There is much more going on this month, so please be sure to review our calendar of events in the newsletter and our district website. You can also follow us on Facebook. Thank you for your continued support and your yes vote for excellence at Altar Valley School District! 

Sincerely,