[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6606732,"mediaKeyId","2958891-576a1cfbfed7de240253817826a3de20","parentId",2958891,"title","Kyrene CFO outlines $110.1 million M&O revenue estimate as enrollment decline drives budget squeeze","audioSeconds",1752,"startMs",422000,"endMs",2174000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958891-576a1cfbfed7de240253817826a3de20&start=422&end=2174","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958891-576a1cfbfed7de240253817826a3de20/thumbnail_422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6606732/Arizona/Kyrene-CFO-outlines-1101-million-MO-revenue-estimate-as-enrollment-decline-drives-budget-squeeze","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606732-d290720f12822d91181d0d9eeb462a86/orig.mp4?Expires=1774948304&Signature=VC3RAd8dSmNYz7qOwbh2GvhdnhkcdZljx~XtDJIcOw~35UhM6Sccd3DTZzCxSDbcwgJp49dEVdaUWOh6lW~ifZPRBaCxNTofQX9QT9z3JC7VNAinA6Hp~Mn~LO2R~9ge-Ih11NQWv6EKwBQgwm1TLQmVV~bGXCAW5woS2hJmpIWXReQSV2PhYEzG2B0N7jS6FBhOiMOJRi1itK9QlCSqqexabYLL5qlEk-ypT1ynNX5p9eDDjokylZkQS3cAnLBX2AiWPANr3o~qjCcpzL5huNQosDmCWcfd9hao4g68Nj8IP18JBml5iSr2URkSU5k1I0kDHZB6WXPFoyeVbRI4JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-09T15:36:03Z","article","Chris Herman, Kyrene Elementary District chief financial officer, told the governing board during the April 8 study session that the district’s fiscal 2026 general-fund revenue assumptions show continued pressure from declining enrollment and limited state increases.

“The M and O amount for the fiscal year 26 budget is a hundred and $10,100,000,” Herman said. He added the total general-fund estimate is “just under $112,000,000” and explained those figures reflect current projections that could change with legislative action before the June budget adoption.

Herman said Kyrene’s M&O revenue is calculated from three components: the base support level (state per‑pupil funding multiplied by weighted student counts), the revenue control limit (base support level plus the transportation revenue control limit), and additional amounts such as district additional assistance (DAA), the M&O override, and Proposition 123 distributions. He told the board the base support level for fiscal 2026 is approximately $87.8 million and that the district expects a net enrollment‑driven reduction in base funding of about $4.1 million compared with the prior year.

Why it matters: Kyrene is a kindergarten–8 district whose state funding is tied to current‑year enrollment and weighted average daily membership. Herman said the district faces a structural squeeze because incoming kindergarten cohorts are substantially smaller than outgoing eighth‑grade cohorts, reducing state base funding even if most families remain within the district.

Herman walked the board through the demographic drivers. He summarized demographer data showing birth rates in Maricopa County fell sharply across cohorts and that the share of homeowners aged 25–44 in the district has declined over the last two decades, leaving fewer elementary‑age children. He gave a concrete example: “There are 1,622 students enrolled in eighth grade this year, but only 1,060 students are expected and projected to enroll in kindergarten next year,” which he said equates to a projected year‑over‑year drop of about 562 students just from cohort progression.

Herman described the funding formula elements and assumptions in detail: projected weighted unadjusted ADM of 17,810 (a decline of about 668 ADM versus last year, equivalent to 761 students), a teacher experience index (TEI) of 1.0149 that adds roughly $62,000, an assumed maximum statutory inflation increase of 2 percent that would raise the per‑pupil base to $5,113.26 (about $1.8 million districtwide), and a $47,000 nonfederal audit reimbursement. He said the combined effect of enrollment losses and those adjustments yields the $110.1 million M&O revenue assumption.

Herman further noted the district’s special education costs exceed state special‑education funding and offered a figure for last year’s gap: “last year's Kyrene special education funding gap between the revenue received and the expenses for the services provided was 3,500,000.” He said that higher need in Group B weighted categories is increasing Medicaid reimbursements and that Medicaid revenue is estimated at $1 million for FY26 (higher than FY25) while one‑time catch‑up Medicaid receipts inflated the FY24 number.

On DAA and overrides: Herman said Kyrene assumed no change in DAA per pupil for FY26 ($549.45 per pupil) and an allocation of DAA to M&O near $1.7 million so the district remains below the Arizona Auditor General’s 25 percent threshold for shifting capital funds to operations. He explained the district’s voter‑approved M&O override is in year 4 of a 5‑year authorization and projected a roughly $240,000 decrease in override revenue next year under the calculation method using prior‑year ADM.

Herman told the board that the transportation revenue control limit (TRCL) has been essentially flat at $5.3 million for Kyrene and that, under current statute, transportation funding has not declined even when mileage decreases. He said the district’s estimated fiscal‑year‑26 total M&O revenue of $110.1 million is about $2.2 million below last year’s revenue on a like‑for‑like basis (excluding one‑time state funding) and that total general‑fund budgeted revenue (all general‑fund components) is projected to be just under $112 million.

Board discussion and next steps: Board members thanked Herman for the presentation and asked about exposure to state formula changes. Vice President Trina Nelson asked whether the district has contingency plans if categories such as Group B weights change. Herman said the district monitors state adjustments and would bring updates back to the board if the state changed weights or other assumptions; he pointed to several recent occasions when state adjustments were made and said staff would return to the board with any material changes.

Herman also told the board that expense adjustments and detailed expenditure information will be shared during the May/early‑June cycle and that the district aims to present a proposed budget for board vote on June 27.

Ending: Herman closed by offering to answer questions and the board committed to review additional expenditure detail as it becomes available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-8-2025 Kyrene Governing Board Study Session and Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Chris Herman, Kyrene Elementary District chief financial officer, told the governing board during the April 8 study session that the district’s fiscal 2026 general‑fund revenue assumptions show continued pressure from declining enrollment and limited state increases.","taxTitle","Kyrene Elementary District (4267), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",13625,"location","Arizona","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6606718,"Board approves audits, food‑service review, calendars and policy first read; contract amendment tabled",324,7060000,7384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958891-576a1cfbfed7de240253817826a3de20&start=7060&end=7384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958891-576a1cfbfed7de240253817826a3de20/thumbnail_7060000.jpg","/articles/6606718/Arizona/Board-approves-audits-foodservice-review-calendars-and-policy-first-read-contract-amendment-tabled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606718-454e6564bc099ca95a1b3d67b5e5c242/orig.mp4?Expires=1774948304&Signature=Vx0YrVPSd9f3LRIRCum9hP5BM6Z1ZffWxoNVJ9uiEMBEMWvIj~C81r70WFH81UCirKwJ2GvcWb4jKsFmuJrYVH-47mpqygn2Xy43ZCgl5uNp3KTwPi2Gi4WoWC4P2CIfONP5gx78YsVYCi9-qk8NnJjQFoFDyEoG5JYYfR5ShHHmFzoswjvpqwQNnk64d0Qc~lUW9VxCpUTzmCnv5aY-P3KAcp4ygJU5bKlcfUZ5D2FqPo~IN-q3oARQog-tUPYTZy4JWZUGwnVVbiEub6Ca~~Uaj5xA0pbFfxZY7KlMc5Zgg3AL2TSG-xtBDIEUz14RK7cROZ9aBfLM7MreXFynyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kyrene School Board took several formal actions during its April 8 regular meeting, approving required audits and several district items and tabling a contract amendment for legal review.

Roll‑call approvals (all votes 5–0):

- Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (fiscal year ended 06/30/2024): Board motion to approve passed by roll call, 5–0.

- Single Audit Reporting Package (fiscal year ended 06/30/2024): Approved by roll call, 5–0. The single audit included the schedule of expenditures of federal awards and any findings tied to federal programs; finance staff noted corrective actions are underway.

- Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR) Compliance Questionnaire (fiscal year ended 06/30/2024): Approved by roll call, 5–0. The questionnaire documents internal‑control testing and compliance with Arizona USFR requirements.

- Arizona Department of Education administrative review of Kyrene Food Services (fiscal year 2024): The ADE review found four areas requiring corrective action; the board accepted the report and staff said three of the four items are closed or in process and will be fully implemented, vote 5–0.

- Kyrene Employee Benefit Trust financial statements (year ended 06/30/2024): Approved by roll call, 5–0.

Other approvals:

- Tri‑district calendars for school years 2026–27, 2027–28 and 2028–29 (Kyrene, Tempe Elementary, and Tempe Union alignment, continuing two‑two‑two breaks): Board approved the proposed calendars 5–0. Administration summarized survey results used to guide calendar decisions and confirmed alignment of two‑week fall, winter and spring breaks across the three districts.

- Staff social‑emotional wellness policy (first read): The board approved the policy on first reading, 5–0. Administration said the policy provides a framework and that procedures and metrics for implementation will follow.

Tabled item:

- Amendment to Navigate contract (RFP K250630) to add anonymous reporting and 24/7 licensed‑counselor support: Board tabled the amendment by a 5–0 vote after a request for legal advice and additional information; staff said the amendment would add after‑hours reporting and counseling and cited an estimated amendment cost of about $20,000.

Why it matters: The audit approvals are a routine legal requirement and provide the public with the district’s audited financial statements and single‑audit federal compliance details. Calendar and policy approvals guide the district’s operational year and staff supports; the tabled contract amendment affects after‑hours safety and counseling capabilities and will return for consideration after legal review.","The Kyrene School Board on April 8 approved required audits and financial reports, tri‑district calendars through 2028–29 and a first read of a staff social‑emotional wellness policy; the board tabled a Navigate contract amendment after requesting legal review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6606723,"Board tables amendment to add 24/7 anonymous reporting and counseling service to Navigate contract",573,6123000,6696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958891-576a1cfbfed7de240253817826a3de20&start=6123&end=6696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958891-576a1cfbfed7de240253817826a3de20/thumbnail_6123000.jpg","/articles/6606723/Arizona/Board-tables-amendment-to-add-247-anonymous-reporting-and-counseling-service-to-Navigate-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606723-073b5a5de7b28e8a0ddadaa02011da0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774948304&Signature=fT7I0caLELIsCwLtqkYhncV-RXKGWdn5cKoudVKvxmpnf2x6PKRaElPgIMKiQSqfm~g1lj17YqYoJDlpF~2-MmpQWYJZQP41t29kg513g046gr1H69gv3oUqIsMHT8NZRDJPJertux8V~dWnfPhGMsw5JyUnuChFFAd8AphQNHSRenAUEvu6ufFmRRTS1m3Xo0kK0RHw8kascy0L9fGG-NCKP8YrYed2SH~Zs2TA64yoHvYUmNJTgrzxcah-SBUk54iKdGeS-q7u-p9Lv8j-M87GcOzb8FqiKhyMHEadSqMdU5y~RsZhxdKqEUXoSrWDDm3eD-ouMYn8Y66CerJQOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kyrene governing board voted 5–0 on April 8 to table action on an amendment to an existing RFP contract with Navigate to add a districtwide anonymous reporting system and 24/7 licensed‑counselor telephonic support.

Damien Nichols, Kyrene executive director of information technology and school safety, described the addition as a way to close a gap in after‑hours reporting and crisis response. Nichols said the tool would allow students, parents and community members to submit anonymous reports via school websites, text message, phone call or email and that, if a student called for help, they could “get help by a licensed counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on holidays and weekends.” Nichols said the system would notify district staff so they could follow up during business hours and that the district had selected the vendor after an RFP with stakeholders across schools, counseling, safety and IT.

Board members asked procedural questions: Member Bunny Davis requested legal advice in executive session about the contract before a vote. Nichols clarified to the board that this is an amendment to an existing contract and procurement said the district would add the piece to the current RFP rather than open a new contract. Nichols noted the amendment amount as about $20,000 to add the anonymous reporting component.

Member Davis made a motion to table the item; the motion was seconded and passed unanimous voice vote. The board directed staff to schedule legal review and to return the item to a future meeting after the requested legal advice and additional information were provided.

Why it matters: An anonymous district reporting channel with after‑hours licensed‑counselor access can provide immediate crisis support and a way for students or community members to report bullying or threats when district staff are not on site. Board members said they wanted attorney review of the contract terms before approving the amendment.","The board tabled a proposed amendment to an existing Navigate contract to add an anonymous reporting system and 24/7 licensed‑counselor telephonic support; staff said the amendment would cost about $20,000 and asked to consult the district attorney in executive session before returning the item.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6606729,"Parents urge flexibility on kindergarten start date; Cerritos families oppose teacher reductions and larger class sizes",242,3384000,3626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958891-576a1cfbfed7de240253817826a3de20&start=3384&end=3626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958891-576a1cfbfed7de240253817826a3de20/thumbnail_3384000.jpg","/articles/6606729/Arizona/Parents-urge-flexibility-on-kindergarten-start-date-Cerritos-families-oppose-teacher-reductions-and-larger-class-sizes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606729-d8ade55432cc7f4c7fb5ac8c881f5878/orig.mp4?Expires=1774948304&Signature=oN~HczvhAb9BM3iKwGzios4S4w~K-RjgaEdQPvS567Dn5konJ1uCsqkeR17~EjlWMrChrV5vn6xwG2DTJkp4e7azqrwLAZrEBZrQQk8OLICswaVFRyrfObY54YYm4FzlQEp42Oc2ptOWDI22sJSFh9oFV4t2g--v7sIsEwkMnqJfBeLQbsqoSL8-AVwMoVW-PiMmxZQX-1Q5VIwg4cfvEuicPoGtOwebUzJ5aM-t0Ee8WemCf3B6DYp625WgCeBcvHFMMSf2svFomQjpdnuuKd5luKWLvCI9vCAhMgG~PRrU2UpATyy3G5nMqF5ZyxnHbIL0zUpRWB477c8~YDl4Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three parents used public comment at the April 8 Kyrene School Board meeting to raise two related concerns: the district’s kindergarten entry practice tied to a Sept. 1 cutoff and local staffing reductions that would increase classroom sizes.

A parent who identified herself as April (current Kyrene parent) told the board the family learned that Kyrene “is adopting turn 5 by September 1, and are already within the Kyrene School District are automatically placed into the kindergarten program.” She said that the policy was not communicated during enrollment and asked the board to “reconsider this policy, essentially of when children will be entered into the kindergarten based on that cutoff.” She added her child was “2 weeks shy of that” cutoff and that withdrawing him from the district to seek alternative care felt like the only option after late notification.

Two parents speaking about Cerritos Elementary described planned reductions of two teachers and warned of larger third‑grade classes. Allison Hooteman said the school faces a roughly 12.5 percent drop in teacher staffing at Cerritos while enrollment is down about 5 percent, and she contrasted a five‑year enrollment decline of 16 percent with a 14 percent reduction in classroom teachers and a 9 percent decline in on‑site administration. Hooteman said district office staffing increased by five positions, a “20% increase to the enrollment” at the central office level, and argued the district risks losing high‑quality teachers because Kyrene’s pay is below neighboring districts and the Maricopa County average.

“Allison Jenkins,” another Cerritos parent, described prior third‑grade experience with classes of 29–31 children and said combining classes would risk creating “two classes of 30 students or more.” Jenkins said large classes contributed to past attrition of students from Kyrene to voucher programs or charters and urged the board to consider the effect of staff cuts on student learning and family trust in the district.

Board response and follow‑up: Superintendent Tenius (as recorded) and board members agreed staff would follow up with the families and promised a fuller presentation on staffing and salary schedules at a future meeting. Superintendent Tenius said the district would provide an “apple to apple” comparison of what is included in Kyrene salaries versus peer districts and would prepare a deeper presentation on the staffing process at the next regular board meeting.

Why it matters: Both issues—age of school entry and staff reductions—affect student learning and family decisions about school placement. Parents said late communication and potential class‑size increases could push families toward alternatives, which could further reduce state funding that is tied to enrollment.","Three parents spoke during public comment asking the board to reconsider a district practice that places children who turn 5 by Sept. 1 into kindergarten, and Cerritos parents warned of the effects of staff reductions that would produce classrooms of 27–31 students.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kyrene CFO outlines $110.1 million M&O revenue estimate as enrollment decline drives budget squeeze

Board approves audits, food‑service review, calendars and policy first read; contract amendment tabled

Board tables amendment to add 24/7 anonymous reporting and counseling service to Navigate contract

Parents urge flexibility on kindergarten start date; Cerritos families oppose teacher reductions and larger class sizes