About This Project
About This Project
About This Project
Who Created This Site
Who Created This Site
The Voter Education Toolkit was created by Arman Sidhu, a doctoral candidate in the Leadership and Innovation program at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. The toolkit is the primary innovation in a dissertation study titled “Bonding Issues: Factors Influencing Voter Awareness and Behavior toward School Bond Referendums in Arizona,” conducted under the supervision of Dr. Jane Neapolitan (committee chair), Dr. Megan Garvy, and Dr. Morgan Camu.
Arman is a lifelong Arizona resident, a registered voter in Maricopa County, and a full-time education policy professional whose work focuses on K–12 school finance and funding mechanisms. His professional background includes experience as a classroom teacher, school administrator, and senior policy analyst. This project reflects his commitment to making school finance information more accessible to the voters who are asked to make consequential decisions about it.
The Voter Education Toolkit was created by Arman Sidhu, a doctoral candidate in the Leadership and Innovation program at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. The toolkit is the primary innovation in a dissertation study titled “Bonding Issues: Factors Influencing Voter Awareness and Behavior toward School Bond Referendums in Arizona,” conducted under the supervision of Dr. Jane Neapolitan (committee chair), Dr. Megan Garvy, and Dr. Morgan Camu.
Arman is a lifelong Arizona resident, a registered voter in Maricopa County, and a full-time education policy professional whose work focuses on K–12 school finance and funding mechanisms. His professional background includes experience as a classroom teacher, school administrator, and senior policy analyst. This project reflects his commitment to making school finance information more accessible to the voters who are asked to make consequential decisions about it.
Our Commitment to Nonpartisanship
Our Commitment to Nonpartisanship
Our Commitment to Nonpartisanship
This site does not advocate for or against any school bond measure, any school district, or any political position. The Voter Education Toolkit was designed to inform, not to persuade. Every piece of content on this site has been reviewed for neutrality. The data is presented without editorial commentary. The eLearning modules explain how school bonds work without recommending how you should vote. The District Profiles present historical and financial data drawn from public records without characterizing any district’s performance as good or bad. This site does not endorse or oppose any candidate for public office. It does not align with any political party, advocacy organization, or interest group. It was not funded by any school district, political action committee, or special interest organization. The goal is simple: give you the facts so you can make your own informed decision.
This site does not advocate for or against any school bond measure, any school district, or any political position. The Voter Education Toolkit was designed to inform, not to persuade. Every piece of content on this site has been reviewed for neutrality. The data is presented without editorial commentary. The eLearning modules explain how school bonds work without recommending how you should vote. The District Profiles present historical and financial data drawn from public records without characterizing any district’s performance as good or bad. This site does not endorse or oppose any candidate for public office. It does not align with any political party, advocacy organization, or interest group. It was not funded by any school district, political action committee, or special interest organization. The goal is simple: give you the facts so you can make your own informed decision.
This site does not advocate for or against any school bond measure, any school district, or any political position. The Voter Education Toolkit was designed to inform, not to persuade. Every piece of content on this site has been reviewed for neutrality. The data is presented without editorial commentary. The eLearning modules explain how school bonds work without recommending how you should vote. The District Profiles present historical and financial data drawn from public records without characterizing any district’s performance as good or bad. This site does not endorse or oppose any candidate for public office. It does not align with any political party, advocacy organization, or interest group. It was not funded by any school district, political action committee, or special interest organization. The goal is simple: give you the facts so you can make your own informed decision.
Purpose of This Project
Purpose of This Project
School bond elections are one of the most common ballot measures in Arizona, but they are also among the least understood. The financial terminology is technical, district budget documents are dense, and there is no single place where voters can find clear, neutral, and complete information about what bonds are, how they work, and what they mean for their community and their taxes.
This toolkit was built to fill that gap. It provides structured, plain-language education about the mechanics of school bonds in Arizona, along with localized data for three of the largest unified school districts in Maricopa County: Chandler Unified School District, Mesa Unified School District, and Peoria Unified School District.
The broader purpose is to study whether providing voters with accessible, nonpartisan information improves their understanding and confidence when it comes to school bond elections. The findings from this study will be used to complete a doctoral dissertation and may inform future voter education efforts in Arizona and other states.
School bond elections are one of the most common ballot measures in Arizona, but they are also among the least understood. The financial terminology is technical, district budget documents are dense, and there is no single place where voters can find clear, neutral, and complete information about what bonds are, how they work, and what they mean for their community and their taxes.
This toolkit was built to fill that gap. It provides structured, plain-language education about the mechanics of school bonds in Arizona, along with localized data for three of the largest unified school districts in Maricopa County: Chandler Unified School District, Mesa Unified School District, and Peoria Unified School District.
The broader purpose is to study whether providing voters with accessible, nonpartisan information improves their understanding and confidence when it comes to school bond elections. The findings from this study will be used to complete a doctoral dissertation and may inform future voter education efforts in Arizona and other states.
Research Study Information
Research Study Information
This site is part of a research study that has been reviewed and approved by the Arizona State University Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB ensures that research involving people is conducted ethically and that participants’ rights and privacy are protected.
This site is part of a research study that has been reviewed and approved by the Arizona State University Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB ensures that research involving people is conducted ethically and that participants’ rights and privacy are protected.
Using This Site vs. Participating in the Study
Using This Site vs. Participating in the Study
Anyone can use this website. You do not need to be part of the research study to browse the eLearning Course, view the District Profiles, or access any other feature on this site. The site is a free, public resource.
The research study is separate. It involves completing a pre-survey and post-survey (administered through Qualtrics, not on this website) and, for a smaller group of participants, a follow-up interview conducted over Zoom. Participation in the research study is entirely voluntary. You may skip any question on any survey, and you may withdraw from the study at any time without consequence.
If you choose to participate in the study, your survey responses will be collected confidentially. IP address tracking is disabled on all surveys. Interview recordings will be stored on encrypted, password-protected devices and deleted from the Zoom cloud within 48 hours of download. Only the principal investigator and co-principal investigator will have access to the data. No identifying information will be included in the dissertation or any future publications.
Anyone can use this website. You do not need to be part of the research study to browse the eLearning Course, view the District Profiles, or access any other feature on this site. The site is a free, public resource.
The research study is separate. It involves completing a pre-survey and post-survey (administered through Qualtrics, not on this website) and, for a smaller group of participants, a follow-up interview conducted over Zoom. Participation in the research study is entirely voluntary. You may skip any question on any survey, and you may withdraw from the study at any time without consequence.
If you choose to participate in the study, your survey responses will be collected confidentially. IP address tracking is disabled on all surveys. Interview recordings will be stored on encrypted, password-protected devices and deleted from the Zoom cloud within 48 hours of download. Only the principal investigator and co-principal investigator will have access to the data. No identifying information will be included in the dissertation or any future publications.
IRB Study Number: STUDY00023998
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jane Neapolitan, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
Co-Principal Investigator: Arman Sidhu, Doctoral Candidate, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
IRB Study Number: STUDY00023998
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jane Neapolitan, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
Co-Principal Investigator: Arman Sidhu, Doctoral Candidate, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
IRB Study Number: STUDY00023998
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jane Neapolitan, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
Co-Principal Investigator: Arman Sidhu, Doctoral Candidate, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
If you have questions or concerns about the research study or your rights as a participant, you may contact the ASU Office of Research Integrity and Assurance at (480) 965-6788 or research.integrity@asu.edu.
If you have questions or concerns about the research study or your rights as a participant, you may contact the ASU Office of Research Integrity and Assurance at (480) 965-6788 or research.integrity@asu.edu.
Contact
Contact
If you have questions about this website, the information presented here, or the research study, you can reach the project team at:
If you have questions about this website, the information presented here, or the research study, you can reach the project team at:
Arman Sidhu
Co-Principal Investigator
Doctoral Candidate, Leadership and Innovation
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
Email: arman.sidhu@asu.edu
Arman Sidhu
Co-Principal Investigator
Doctoral Candidate, Leadership and Innovation
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
Email: arman.sidhu@asu.edu
Arman Sidhu
Co-Principal Investigator
Doctoral Candidate, Leadership and Innovation
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
Email: arman.sidhu@asu.edu
Please note that the project team cannot provide personalized advice on how to vote, interpret your individual property tax bill, or assess a specific district’s financial condition. The information on this site is educational and general in nature.
Please note that the project team cannot provide personalized advice on how to vote, interpret your individual property tax bill, or assess a specific district’s financial condition. The information on this site is educational and general in nature.
Where the Data Comes From
Where the Data Comes From
All data presented on this site comes from publicly available sources. No proprietary or confidential data is used. The primary sources are:
All data presented on this site comes from publicly available sources. No proprietary or confidential data is used. The primary sources are:
Arizona Department of Education (ADE): Enrollment data (Average Daily Membership), school and district accountability reports (A–F letter grades), and AzMERIT/AASA assessment results (Math and ELA proficiency rates).
Arizona Department of Education (ADE): Enrollment data (Average Daily Membership), school and district accountability reports (A–F letter grades), and AzMERIT/AASA assessment results (Math and ELA proficiency rates).
Arizona Auditor General: Annual Financial Reports for each school district, including total revenues, total expenditures, per-pupil spending, and outstanding bond debt.
Arizona Auditor General: Annual Financial Reports for each school district, including total revenues, total expenditures, per-pupil spending, and outstanding bond debt.
Maricopa County Assessor: Property valuation data, Limited Property Values, and secondary assessed valuations used to calculate tax rates.
Maricopa County Assessor: Property valuation data, Limited Property Values, and secondary assessed valuations used to calculate tax rates.
Maricopa County Treasurer: Secondary property tax rates for school district bond levies.
Maricopa County Treasurer: Secondary property tax rates for school district bond levies.
Maricopa County School Superintendent: Historical bond election results, informational pamphlets, and election administration records.
Maricopa County School Superintendent: Historical bond election results, informational pamphlets, and election administration records.
Arizona Secretary of State: Campaign finance filings for bond election committees, including contributions and expenditure reports.
Arizona Secretary of State: Campaign finance filings for bond election committees, including contributions and expenditure reports.
School district websites and official bond documents: Capital improvement plans, bond project lists, voter informational pamphlets, and bond disclosure documents (official statements filed with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board via EMMA).
School district websites and official bond documents: Capital improvement plans, bond project lists, voter informational pamphlets, and bond disclosure documents (official statements filed with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board via EMMA).
Arizona Revised Statutes: All legal citations reference the current published text of A.R.S. Title 15 (Education), Title 35 (Public Finance), and Title 42 (Taxation) as maintained by the Arizona Legislature.
Arizona Revised Statutes: All legal citations reference the current published text of A.R.S. Title 15 (Education), Title 35 (Public Finance), and Title 42 (Taxation) as maintained by the Arizona Legislature.
Where data is presented in charts, tables, or other visualizations, the specific source and year are noted alongside the data. If you believe any data point on this site is inaccurate or outdated, please contact us using the information above so we can review and correct it.
Where data is presented in charts, tables, or other visualizations, the specific source and year are noted alongside the data. If you believe any data point on this site is inaccurate or outdated, please contact us using the information above so we can review and correct it.
Privacy and Site Analytics
Privacy and Site Analytics
This website does not collect any personally identifiable information from visitors. There are no login requirements, no account creation, and no cookies that track individual users across sessions.
Anonymous site analytics may be used to measure general engagement, such as total page views and average time spent on the site. These analytics do not record IP addresses, names, locations, or any other information that could identify an individual visitor. This approach is consistent with the IRB protocol governing this study.
The Pre-Knowledge Quiz on this site displays your score to you in your browser. Your answers and score are not transmitted to any server and are not stored anywhere.
This website does not collect any personally identifiable information from visitors. There are no login requirements, no account creation, and no cookies that track individual users across sessions.
Anonymous site analytics may be used to measure general engagement, such as total page views and average time spent on the site. These analytics do not record IP addresses, names, locations, or any other information that could identify an individual visitor. This approach is consistent with the IRB protocol governing this study.
The Pre-Knowledge Quiz on this site displays your score to you in your browser. Your answers and score are not transmitted to any server and are not stored anywhere.
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
This project was completed as part of the requirements for the Doctor of Education degree in Leadership and Innovation at Arizona State University. The author gratefully acknowledges the guidance of Dr. Jane Neapolitan, Dr. Megan Garvy, and Dr. Morgan Camu, as well as the faculty and staff of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
This project was completed as part of the requirements for the Doctor of Education degree in Leadership and Innovation at Arizona State University. The author gratefully acknowledges the guidance of Dr. Jane Neapolitan, Dr. Megan Garvy, and Dr. Morgan Camu, as well as the faculty and staff of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.