Glendale Elementary board adopts revisions to multiple policies, approves FY26 budget revision and square-footage reduction

The Glendale Elementary School District Governing Board on Sept. 11 approved multiple policy revisions, a fiscal-year-2026 expenditure budget revision and a districtwide square‑footage reduction, and recessed briefly to an executive session on pending litigation.

The board voted unanimously to adopt second readings and final revisions to policies on the safety program (EB), discipline/suspension/dismissal (GCQF), student health services and requirements (JLC), administering medicines to students (JLCD) and student records (JR). The board also approved, by unanimous vote, the first reading of a staff‑qualifications policy update that clarifies fingerprint clearance-card requirements for employees. Mike Barragan, a district staff member presenting the budget revision, told the board the district’s projected average daily membership (ADM) “is probably going to drop” in a later revision and described ongoing revenue pressures that prompted the budget changes.

Why it matters: the policy changes affect how the district handles student safety, discipline, health services and records, and the budget revision and square-footage update adjust the district’s fiscal plan and the amount of space recognized as used for instructional purposes.

The board moved into executive session at the start of the meeting to consult with attorneys under Arizona law on pending litigation (Arizona Revised Statutes §38‑431.03(A)(3) and §38‑431.03(A)(4)); the meeting resumed in open session before the board voted on the agenda items.

Policy decisions and first-reading change The board approved the second readings of the five policy revisions as presented. Ms. Segata Jones (staff member) introduced the policy items; Cindy Scott Jones, the district superintendent, identified the set of policies under consideration. There were no substantive public questions recorded during the open session on the final adoptions.

On the staff‑qualifications update presented as a first reading, the board was told that the revision identifies and verifies fingerprint‑clearance‑card requirements for employees and removes one unspecified prior section. The board approved the first reading by unanimous vote.

Budget revision Mike Barragan (staff member) presented the fiscal‑year‑2026 expenditure budget revision No. 1. He said the district’s adopted budget had been $77,300,000 and that the revision before the board reflected a budget figure near $79,600,000, driven in part by changes in how certain revenues were categorized and by carryforward and capital adjustments. Barragan warned the board that projected ADM may decline in a future revision and described the revision as a short‑term response to “ongoing financial challenges.” He summarized that carryforward and capital balances have fallen compared with the prior year and that the district is examining cost‑savings and revenue‑generation options.

Square‑footage reduction The board approved a district square‑footage reduction intended to remove from the district’s instructional square‑footage inventory buildings or spaces no longer used for traditional classroom instruction. Staff clarified the change is an accounting update required when space is leased to outside partners or repurposed so it is no longer counted as district instructional space. The board voted to approve the reduction as presented.

Other formal actions The board approved the consent agenda and the meeting agenda by unanimous votes earlier in the session. The board recessed to executive session under Arizona law to consult with legal counsel on pending litigation (case identifiers cited in the public motion); the board reconvened and completed the votes listed here. The board set its next substantive public meeting items: the annual financial report is scheduled for Oct. 2 with the reporting deadline noted as Oct. 15.

Quotes “I do anticipate that in the next revision that that number is probably going to drop,” Mike Barragan said of projected ADM and future budget changes.

“It supports staff qualifications and requirements regarding fingerprints,” Ms. Segata Jones said when introducing the first‑reading policy change related to employee fingerprint clearance cards.

What’s next The board will receive an annual financial report at the Oct. 2 meeting. Staff signaled additional budget revisions may come as ADM and legislative funding details are confirmed.