Higley board reviews 2024–25 M&O override spending; parents urge renewal to protect programs

Higley Unified School District officials presented a public accounting of how the district spent funds from the 15% maintenance-and-operations override voters approved in 2019, and public commenters urged the board to support continued override funding to protect teacher pay, elementary specials and the Mandarin dual‑immersion program.

The district’s finance presentation noted that fiscal 2025 — the most recent complete year ending June 30 — was the last fully funded year of the override and that the district spent a little over $14 million from the measure in that year. “We went through and looked and said what percentage of the override was spent to those categories that matched what was in the pamphlet,” the presenter said, summarizing the district’s review of spending against the 2019 voter materials.

The presentation attributed the largest share of override spending — 34% — to increased teacher compensation, and listed other categories and shares: maintaining and improving elementary specials (22%), maintaining average class sizes (21%), supporting gifted services, special education and all‑day kindergarten (13%), and educational resources for classrooms (10%). The district also displayed an estimated phase‑down schedule that would leave about $9.2 million in M&O override funding in fiscal 2026 if the measure were not renewed, and further reductions in the following years if voters do not sustain an override.

Why it matters

The M&O override boosts the district’s operating budget above the state revenue control limit and has been used locally to fund pay increases, the district said. Board members and community speakers framed the forthcoming election as a decision about preserving staffing levels, specialist classes and dual‑language pathways that residents say distinguish Higley schools.

Public comment: students, parents urge continued funding

Several parents and students who addressed the board during public comment tied their remarks directly to the override report. Dominic Reddy, a student who said he traveled on a scholarship to China through district programs, urged the board not to cut the Mandarin program: “Mandarin isn’t just another language. It’s a way to connect with the world, to learn about other cultures, and to develop skills that will matter in a global economy.”

Parents emphasized the role of specials and extracurriculars in student engagement. One parent praised the district’s elementary specials (music, art and library) and the Mandarin dual‑immersion program as “unique and vital assets” that support long‑term learning and community value. Another parent described moving their children out of a neighboring district and returning to Higley because of the connection and programs Higley offers.

Board discussion and clarifications

Board members asked for clarifications about how raise increases were funded, whether raises last year were paid from M&O override monies or from Classroom Site Fund (CSF) resources, and how the district calculated its phase‑down estimates. The presenter and finance staff said fiscal 2025 reporting covered only M&O override expenditures and that last year’s 4% raises involved a combination of M&O and CSF funds; the current year uses CSF only for the compensation increase. Board members also asked for updated ADM (average daily membership) data to refine estimates and for the 40‑day and 100th‑day ADM counts when they become available.

What the presentation showed (selected figures reported by district staff)

- Total M&O override funds used in fiscal 2025: a little over $14,000,000 (fully funded 15% year). - Share by category: teacher compensation 34%; elementary specials 22%; maintain average class sizes 21%; gifted/special education/all‑day kindergarten 13%; classroom resources 10%. - Projected M&O override funds if ballot measure is not renewed: approximately $9.2 million in fiscal 2026 (an estimated phase down), roughly $5 million in fiscal 2027, and none by fiscal 2028 under the presented scenario.

The district said the phase‑down estimates depend on ADM and that actual amounts could vary.

What’s next

The presenter and the board noted the M&O measure is on a district ballot this fall. Several speakers urged residents to vote and shared mailing and drop‑off deadlines for ballots. District staff said they will provide additional ADM counts and a breakdown of how compensation increases this year were funded if board members want a more detailed ledger.

Ending

The district made the override accounting available to the public as required under state law; board members and finance staff said they will continue providing updated ADM and carry‑forward figures as the district finalizes fiscal 2026 budgeting and in advance of any further board decisions about programs or staffing.