Proposition 320, a ballot measure that would require schools to spend above a certain threshold on classroom instruction, was one of only two heading toward rejection Tuesday night. 

As of 11 p.m., 53% of voters had opted against the question, while 47% supported it. About 1.7 million ballots had been counted.

Prop. 320, put on the ballot by lawmakers, would require school districts with at least 7,500 students in the state’s largest counties to spend at least 60% of operational costs on direct instruction. 

Impacted districts would have time to meet the requirement, as long as they increase their spending on direct instruction by at least 0.5% per year until they hit the 60% threshold. 

Districts that don’t comply could see cuts to their state funding.

Supporters of Prop. 320 said it would ensure money is being spent on students and teachers, and not on bureaucracy and administration. 

Opponents, including Save Our Schools Arizona, said the proposal could have unintended consequences by forcing districts to cut non-classroom resources such as nurses, counselors and support staff in order to achieve the proportionate amount of spending.