Blue Ridge Unified board approves FY25–26 budget revision, shifts capital funds to operations

The Blue Ridge Unified School District No. 32 (4397) board approved the district's first revision to the 2025–26 expenditure budget and several routine items at a board meeting, board members said.

District staff said the revision transfers funds from capital to maintenance and operations to cover salary costs while leaving an estimated capital carryover. "This is our first revision for the '26 the 2526 school year," said Courtney, the staff member who reviewed the revision for the board. Courtney said the district moved money "from capital to m and o for salaries," which produced an increase in the maintenance and operations (M&O) budget and a corresponding decrease in capital expenditures.

Courtney presented line-item changes the board reviewed. She said the district's per-pupil allocation increased from $5,013 to $5,113 and that average daily membership (ADM) projections showed a decrease of about 1 ADM. Courtney said estimated carryover for capital is $400,000 and that, when combined with remaining 2024–25 capital rollovers, the district expects roughly $850,000 available for capital in 2025–26. She reported impact aid remaining at $500,000 and "other funds" at $2,000,000, and said federal and state grant amounts were unchanged in the revision.

Board members asked for dates and timing on finalized enrollment counts. Courtney said she would provide the official ADM date to the board and noted the district completes the 10-day student count early in the school year; she also said the district typically issues another budget revision in December after enrollment numbers are finalized.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items 2.1–2.4): Approved. Motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Michael (board member); a second was recorded during the roll call but not named in the transcript. No opposing votes were recorded on the record.

- Item 3.1 — Revised expenditure budget for fiscal year 2025–26 (budget amendment): Approved. Motion by Board member Margaret; second by Board member Michael. The board voted "aye"; no opposing or abstention votes were recorded on the transcript.

- Item 3.2 — Out-of-state travel request for Blue Ridge girls soccer team (Gallup, N.M.): Approved. Motion by Board member Michael; second by Board member Margaret. The board voted "aye." (Details on travel appear elsewhere in the record.)

Why it matters

Shifting funds from capital to operations can delay or downsize capital projects while expanding the district's capacity to pay staff salaries in the current year. The budget revision sets spending priorities for the 2025–26 fiscal year until the board adopts further revisions.

What the district reported

- Per-pupil funding: increased from $5,013 to $5,113 per Courtney's presentation.

- Enrollment/ADM: projected to decline by about 1 ADM; Courtney said she will report the official ADM date to the board.

- Capital carryover: $400,000 estimated to roll forward from 2024–25 and roughly $850,000 total capital anticipated for 2025–26 after rollovers.

- Impact aid: $500,000 (no change reported).

- Other funds: $2,000,000 (no change reported).

Board procedure and next steps

Courtney told the board federal and state grant allocations are still being finalized and that many salaries are charged to those grants; the district will continue to work with the Arizona Department of Education on grant administration. Board members requested a follow-up when official ADM counts are finalized; Courtney said a December revision is typical after enrollment is confirmed.

Ending

Board members approved the budget revision and the other routine items without recorded opposition. The board did not set additional conditions in the meeting minutes for the budget changes beyond the planned monitoring and future revisions tied to finalized enrollment and grant allocations.