[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6512703,"mediaKeyId","5092658-bd6cde64cb2bf88a562b5fb09cdc7679","parentId",5092658,"title","Tempe School District CFO: enrollment decline driving shortfall in 2025-26 budget","audioSeconds",164,"startMs",1066000,"endMs",902000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092658-bd6cde64cb2bf88a562b5fb09cdc7679&start=1066&end=902","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092658-bd6cde64cb2bf88a562b5fb09cdc7679/thumbnail_1066000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6512703/Arizona/Tempe-School-District-CFO-enrollment-decline-driving-shortfall-in-2025-26-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512703-47e836d3c238286da471e9c89e427dea/orig.mp4?Expires=1775947300&Signature=P0XE94v-u1ODp1RssvF~Z5v0FDZAQfKovtvMbC1Xnhq3rq2LneCtsP1fJj8RcrEjCKG1iySsNaKEwSutMKr-TQUD59ZR9EJAsdtoA3uFIu5NKdmnc-zi072BFVcmm~NePFsWGTedhKoO~9TYJ45ERbklK7Iz8R~ENaTlBDhVF1ZO6YMc6r-n78ra1tNBfFfPmwtNppeXSJ7LYK8LMUTORCa~jkoh2fpGF1ZiuZ36q4buk30627A9vS~Hi-mU8awUU~g39fZGf9vcWH-EaD19~id8uacQoUAtaJs~ig2eD-NDj~iVm0~fomfSvS0sbwiPtAwR~kL1sRyopTxS~a2VGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tempe School District (4258)","date","2025-06-27T17:02:20Z","article","The Tempe School District held a public hearing on the proposed 2025–26 annual budget in which Chief Financial Officer Eric Thompson said the district will spend more in maintenance and operations (M&O) than it will receive in state and local funding unless additional cuts are made.

“This is part 2 of the budget adoption… It has to be approved by July 15 per state statute,” Thompson said, explaining the timetable and the need to adopt a budget now and revise it later when state numbers are finalized.

Thompson said enrollment — measured as average daily membership (ADM) — is the primary driver of revenue: “The enrollment is the revenue and that drives the budget.” He told the board the district is estimating roughly 9,000 students for the coming year and that various weighted categories (special education preschool, ELL, K–3) increase the district’s weighted pupil count to about 10,500. That weighting and other add‑ons yield an approximate base revenue figure just under $70 million, plus roughly $2.7 million for transportation.

Nut graf: The presentation framed a structural gap between recurring operating costs and projected recurring revenue. Thompson said the district is spending more in M&O than it collects in formula funding and that carryover reserves are declining; he warned the district will need further cuts unless enrollment reverses or reserves are reallocated.

Thompson outlined the district’s reserves and how one‑time funds have been used. He said carryover (fund balance) has been shrinking after prior years when federal ESSER dollars deferred recurring costs, and that the district is drawing down reserves to cover current spending. “We’re spending more this year… than we’re bringing in,” Thompson said, and added that if ADM had remained at 2020 levels (about 11,000), the district would have about $9 million more.

On a per‑program basis, Thompson described the classroom site fund — funded by sales tax and therefore more volatile than the state funding formula — noting the district expects about $9 million in classroom site fund revenue and to carry over roughly $4.6 million into the new year. He said the board has used that fund to add $500 to teacher base pay in each of the past two years, with performance pay of up to $3,000 also available.

Thompson also discussed DAA (discretionary additional assistance) and capital carryovers, saying the district plans to shift most available DAA into M&O to cover teacher salaries and supplies rather than hold it in capital where it is less needed this year. He estimated capital carryover near $11 million and projected roughly $7 million in capital spending in the fiscal year ending this week.

When asked by a board member about the magnitude of the shortfall, Thompson estimated an overspend of about $4 million next year and said carryover would fall from about $6 million to about $2 million absent other actions. He said debt‑service payments funded by property taxes are expected to be about $20 million and that the district is setting property tax rates to meet those obligations.

Thompson closed by reminding the board that the district will revise the adopted budget after the state finalizes its budget and that any such revision will be made at the September meeting when actual enrollment counts (the first 100 days) are known.

Ending: Board members asked follow‑up questions about tax rates, the composition of classroom site fund revenue and future prioritization. The board took no formal vote on budget amendments at the hearing; Thompson said staff will return with any recommended revisions once state funding figures are final and when the board sets priorities for balancing M&O spending and reserves.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6-25-2025 Governing Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Tempe School District held a public hearing on the proposed 2025–26 annual budget in which Chief Financial Officer Eric Thompson said the district will spend more in maintenance and operations (M&O) than it will receive in state and local funding unless additional cuts are made.","taxTitle","Tempe School District (4258), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",13627,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6512694,"Votes at a glance: Tempe School District board adopts multiple policy updates, approves superintendent performance pay",715,3451000,4166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092658-bd6cde64cb2bf88a562b5fb09cdc7679&start=3451&end=4166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092658-bd6cde64cb2bf88a562b5fb09cdc7679/thumbnail_3451000.jpg","/articles/6512694/Arizona/Votes-at-a-glance-Tempe-School-District-board-adopts-multiple-policy-updates-approves-superintendent-performance-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512694-e5fa66f82657e7260f35256578b8131a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775947300&Signature=b7KydkoD2dvn3iTF6r3AkvGqX2eD2aq0vQtrNhrbKNV1e9HW14FuwZKj8Q~awfinjGZS2lIvSmqJEPJFXAtbVskMRx~TP1swwHWXohCmEdk425CEW~RXpQ3~xTGbz6oEu4RGLpjlUTGT-Vbb3A-cOIuf0PxKyYbVDlztAVw9KDHGJvNb-Fp-dg35s8wmlID12ZxoGFwq3hRuasXvLbxmtcdakLcLrC0dj2yzqNjBkfDEMGilm5HYM4DUnb0G~wwtAsKsQimPQo6bmtGIhXV6rXN4VeV5XmzmTVtvqNrTY3JbOX9559gpmIyGuTmjBrEV9pe5pC0tzfPTvtyaqSkAtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tempe School District governing board voted to adopt changes to multiple governing policies and approved superintendent performance pay at the meeting. Most items were routine second‑readings or ministerial approvals; the board adopted each as presented.

Key outcomes

- Policy GBK, staff grievances — Adopted as amended. Motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as “Aye.”

- Policy IJNDB, use of technology resources and instruction — Adopted (second review). The board discussed state law changes related to cell phones and clarified the regulation will define permissible emergency uses; members asked staff to return with recommended regulation language. Motion and second recorded; voice vote “Aye.”

- Policy JII, student concerns, complaints and grievances — Adopted (second review). Motion and second recorded; voice vote passed.

- Policy JLF, reporting child abuse / child protection — Adopted (second review). The board noted the policy expressly includes substitute teachers as mandated reporters; motion passed.

- Policy JR, student records — Adopted (second review). The board confirmed the policy provides an opt‑out for directory information sharing and adopted the changes.

- Superintendent performance‑based pay — Approved pending satisfactory performance evaluation. The board motioned and voted in favor to pay the superintendent the performance amount conditioned on a satisfactory evaluation.

Nut graf: Several policies were updated to align with state law and to clarify administrative practice; the board also asked staff to return with draft regulation language for technology use to define “emergency” situations when students may use personal devices.

Notes on procedure and next steps

Board members requested that administration bring back a proposed regulation to IJNDB that defines emergency uses and provides concrete language for enforcement and parent communication. For the policies that were adopted, staff will post the revised language and apply the changes districtwide.

Ending: The board approved the consent agenda and multiple policy changes by voice vote and closed the meeting after routine announcements.","At the meeting the board adopted revisions to several governing policies, approved staff grievances policy changes, updated technology and student‑records rules, and authorized superintendent performance‑based pay pending satisfactory evaluation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6512698,"Armored 1 audit urges Tempe School District to harden entrances, improve visitor management and expand cameras",2209,1221000,3430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092658-bd6cde64cb2bf88a562b5fb09cdc7679&start=1221&end=3430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092658-bd6cde64cb2bf88a562b5fb09cdc7679/thumbnail_1221000.jpg","/articles/6512698/Arizona/Armored-1-audit-urges-Tempe-School-District-to-harden-entrances-improve-visitor-management-and-expand-cameras","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512698-cd565e732ee3b7ea0408df42735b1f2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775947300&Signature=b2Ua6aZqsY9-s988g7VsJlKXJRUgM0pyjCkpSPZmVvvCu2bklTp3oEJQktKMe5omKD3qSj8p4~pvr2-mKNofafyE4BbKrV6EpdgRSN9SWcugF4GtnFRlLTV0WkeCibNwcTJSBqE2UHmV7vNm~0RwelyxYR5boWiX~1BVP10i9SYIOg-hBSpSJ61cNTDOn59cBPIyD-mEDA8Z5npRma9S5uWqRF36KBXeejhwFq4YKTSMWJ1BGb~D1k2UAY4q3WywL1d8xxCHPlwa7Bln3EwkAgsGcG-SxpT-ksqY8DPsbQ2EruNtR0loyPLslc2X2vkTJYeeUsAQ3M5LEbccI7ks4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A safety and security audit by consultant Travis Forrester of Armored 1 recommended a multi‑year program of planning, training and technology upgrades to move the Tempe School District from a reactive to a proactive security posture.

Forrester told the governing board the audit’s top priorities are an updated emergency response plan, secure vestibules at school front lobbies, a stronger visitor management system, and expanded cameras and access control. “We have to move from a reactive posture to a proactive posture,” he said, adding that “we must invest in people, and make sure that our people know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.”

Nut graf: District leaders said the audit provides a road map; the district has already hired Steven Carbajal as director of safety and security and plans to bring costed options back to the board for prioritized implementation using bond funds approved by voters.

Forrester described specific hardware and operational recommendations: secure vestibules that prevent unrestricted entry from the street, visitor‑management systems that can validate IDs against registries, camera analytics that can timestamp and track movement across campus, and access control to reduce reliance on master keys and prevent propping doors. He noted modern camera analytics can reduce the time for video review from hours to minutes and can support reunification during large‑scale incidents.

Board members asked about cost, timeline and coordination with first responders. Forrester said his consulting fee was a one‑time charge that includes 12 months of free consultation to help the district plan implementation and demo technologies; he said equipment costs vary widely depending on analytics and scope. Assistant Superintendent and COO Mike McGaney and Superintendent Dr. Driscoll said the district intends to prioritize recommendations and return to the board with costs and a multiyear plan. Carbajal said the safety committee will guide priorities and that training and repeated practice will be essential.

The board discussed cultural and operational challenges: several members noted doors are sometimes propped for climate or convenience and that changing behavior will require facilities solutions and retraining. Board members and staff emphasized that upgrades should be coordinated with Tempe Police Department and other first responders so responders have access to live camera feeds and controlled building access when necessary.

Ending: Forrester said Armored 1 will remain available as a long‑term partner. District staff said they expect to return to the board this summer with prioritized options and cost estimates so the board can direct use of bond funds and schedule phased implementation.","A consultant who audited Tempe schools recommended a districtwide emergency response plan, secure vestibules, electronic visitor management, camera analytics and expanded access control. The district has hired a director of safety and security and plans to prioritize work funded by the 2022 bond.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tempe School District CFO: enrollment decline driving shortfall in 2025-26 budget

Votes at a glance: Tempe School District board adopts multiple policy updates, approves superintendent performance pay

Armored 1 audit urges Tempe School District to harden entrances, improve visitor management and expand cameras