Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1540396
7 FALL 2025 | ADVOCATE Both bonds and overrides require strong community support to pass. Here's how they work and why they matter: What Are Bonds? Bonds function like a loan that the school district or community college borrows from investors. Over time, the district repays the loan with interest. Bonds can be used to fund new schools, make building and safety improvements, and purchase new technology, school buses, or other equipment. What Are Overrides? Overrides allow districts to generate additional funding for programs, services, and capital projects that go beyond the state's basic funding levels. Overrides last for seven years, but many districts will seek renewal in year four or five to maintain a consistent level of funding. If an override is not renewed, funding for school programs and services can drop significantly, forcing cuts to staff, resources, and student opportunities. ere are four main types of overrides: • Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Overrides: Support teacher salaries and benefits, classroom supplies, and day-to-day operations. • Special Overrides: Fund important programs like full-day kindergarten, art, music, and physical education. • Capital Overrides: Cover capital needs such as school buses, books, playground equipment, fine arts materials, and classroom furniture. • District Additional Assistance Overrides: Cover capital equipment items that a district's regular budget or bond program may not cover. How Bonds & Overrides Get Passed Bonds and overrides start with an assessment of funding needs by district leaders. Aer a district decides to call for a bond or override election, it forms a political action committee (PAC) made up of educators, parents, and other community stakeholders. e PAC organizes the campaign by fundraising to support voter outreach, raising awareness about the stakes of a bond or override election, and mobilizing voters to get to the polls. When bond and override elections are done well, local unions play a critical role by leveraging their strong relationships with the community to build support. Supporting Bond & Override Campaigns On August 16, AEA hosted a Local Bond & Override Training at our headquarters to prepare union leaders for this fall's campaigns. Attendees heard from experts about campaign finance rules, effective communications, and strategies to recruit and maintain their greatest resource — the volunteers needed to win! ELECTIONS GUIDE: BONDS & OVERRIDES ELECTION DAY November 4, 2025 The success of bonds and override campaigns depends on strong voter turnout. Check out the list of bonds and overrides starting on the next page to learn about elections in your community and get ready to vote! For years, our union has partnered with school districts to secure essential funding for our schools through bonds and overrides. ese measures are critical for keeping classrooms safe, staffed, and equipped — but they can only go into effect with voter approval. CHECK YOUR MAILBOX FALL 2025