Chandler Unified board adopts proposed 2025–26 budget and approves $4 million truth‑in‑taxation for road and safety projects

The Chandler Unified School District governing board on July 9 unanimously adopted the district’s proposed aggregated expenditure budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and separately approved a $4 million truth‑in‑taxation request to fund roadway and safety improvements near Weinberg Elementary and other adjacent ways, sidewalks and bus/fire lanes.

Lana Berry, the district’s chief business official, presented the expenditure budget and a summary of changes since the district’s proposed budget in June. Berry said the district’s full budget across all funds is roughly $650 million, while the front‑page aggregated expenditure budget the board adopted is approximately $394 million (about $349 million for maintenance and operations, about $26 million for capital and roughly $18 million for federal projects and grants). Berry told the board the state approved an ongoing base increase equal to 2% of the base support level, which the district estimates at about $5.4 million for maintenance and operations.

Berry said late legislative approvals will require a September revision to the adopted budget: two items not reflected on the July forms — reinstated supplemental funding for students on free and reduced price lunch (FRPL) and an additional Proposition 123 allocation — together will add roughly $4.8 million to the district’s resources and will be incorporated in the required September revision. She also said the district expects to receive about $3.9 million in building renewal grant reimbursements this fiscal year (including funds tied to a Chandler High School roof project).

The budget presentation included personnel and staffing changes. Berry said the district reduced roughly 101 full‑time equivalent positions to align staffing with lower projected average daily membership, a change that reduced recurring costs by about $8.5 million. She said the board approved a 2% compensation increase for staff in recently negotiated contracts at a cost of approximately $5.2 million; the district continues to fund a portion of compensation and one‑time stipends from Proposition 301 classroom site funds.

The board voted by roll call to approve the budget and, separately, to approve the truth‑in‑taxation notice. The truth‑in‑taxation request asks voters (through the statutorily required notice) to allow collection of an additional $4 million for adjacent ways and infrastructure; Berry said roughly $2.5 million is planned to address safety and traffic issues at Weinberg Elementary, and another $1.5 million would be reserved for repair of adjacent sidewalks, utility work, bus lanes and fire lane improvements across the district. Facilities director Tom Dunn told the board the Weinberg estimate is currently conservative and that engineers have completed preliminary work; formal design and bidding will follow if the project is funded.

Board members asked clarifying questions about how the district accounts for federal and state grants, how FRPL weights are treated in the state formula and how carryover and one‑time funds are being used. Berry explained that some allocations are reimbursed and that the district will use reserves and carryover as needed while final state allocations are processed. She said budget committee work and grant closeouts continue and that the district will return with a September revision and an October annual financial report for 2024–25.

Votes at a glance

- Truth‑in‑Taxation: Motion to recommend approval of the truth‑in‑taxation tax increases outlined in the notice. Mover: Governing Board member (moved on record by a board member listed as moving the motion). Second: Governing Board member (second recorded). Result: approved by roll call, unanimous.

- FY2025–26 aggregated expenditure budget: Motion to approve the district annual expenditure budget as presented. Mover: Governing Board member. Second: Governing Board member. Result: approved by roll call, unanimous.

The board’s approved July adoption is the required step to file the tax and budget forms with the county and the state; Berry said the district will return in September with a revision to incorporate late legislative actions and final allocations.