Catalina Foothills board reviews FY2026 budget, approves teacher pay schedule, benefits and first-round contracts

The Catalina Foothills Unified School District Governing Board on April 8 reviewed a preliminary maintenance and operations (M&O) budget for fiscal year 2026 and approved the district's proposed professional salary schedule, the district cafeteria-plan contribution for benefits, and a first round of certified staff contracts.

The M&O presentation from Superintendent Denise Bartlett and Associate Superintendent Mindy Westover framed revenue assumptions around current average daily membership (ADM) of 4,574 and a 100th-day enrollment of 4,909; Westover said the budget is being built on an ADM of 4,574. Bartlett and Westover told the board they expect the state base funding to increase by 2% and proposed transferring $1,565,819 from District Additional Assistance (DAA) into M&O to help cover compensation increases and other adjustments.

Why it matters: the budget projections drive staffing, class offerings and counseling services. Board members were shown proposed compensation changes intended to help with recruitment and retention while holding the district contribution to medical insurance at $6,084 per eligible employee.

Key budget details presented - ADM used for FY26 straw budget: 4,574; 100th-day enrollment: 4,909. - Recommended transfer from DAA to M&O:…