Governing Board approves FY2026 budget, staff pay adjustments, calendar and student fees

The Prescott Unified School District Governing Board voted to adopt the district’s fiscal year 2026 expenditure budget and approved several operational items during its July meeting, including salary-placement adjustments for two classified positions, the 2026–27 academic calendar and the list of student fees for 2025–26.

Budget adoption

The board adopted the FY2026 expenditure budget after discussion of carry-forward estimates and statutory timing issues. Administration said a projected carry-forward of roughly $2,252,801 was shown on preliminary forms as an estimate of fund balance a year from now; those carry-forward estimates are being used on the state forms rather than distributing the money across line items. Staff also explained a temporary accounting change on the preliminary forms related to the legislature’s timing: because the state had not finalized final funding calculations when the preliminary forms were prepared, the district included an inflated pupil count (ADM) projection to avoid being under‑taxed. Administration said final ADM and revenue figures will be reconciled in September when the state’s budget implementation details are final. The motion to adopt the budget passed by voice vote.

Salary placement changes

The board approved changes to the district’s salary-placement tool that increase the classification or starting rates for two classified roles: the district benefits coordinator and the administrative assistant to the superintendent and governing board. Administration reported the benefits coordinator starting rate moved from $16.81 per hour to a proposed $18.21 per hour to better align with comparable districts. For the administrative assistant role, the starting range shown moved from $42,075 to $48,294 (starting placement) to reduce a gap with peer districts. The board approved using the updated placement tool to set pay for existing employees in those positions; the 3% step increases for current employees will still apply.

Academic calendar

The board approved the 2026–27 academic calendar. Administration noted two formatting or scheduling adjustments since the draft: a professional development day moved from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4, and staff-oriented calendars will continue to include explicit payday markings while the family-facing calendar will not emphasize pay dates.

Student fees and extracurricular charges

The board approved the comprehensive list of student fees and extracurricular activity charges for 2025–26. Administration and the board discussed fee waivers and hardship practices: district staff said families with demonstrated need are not denied participation and the district will work with families to arrange payment plans or cover fees from district funds when necessary. The board also discussed a new modest graduation fee (listed at $25) intended to help defray large venue, staging and sound costs; administrators said families who cannot pay will be accommodated.

Consent agenda and vouchers

The consent agenda — including routine vouchers (accounts payable and payroll) — passed. Administration clarified that vouchers presented in the consent agenda cover payments processed between regular board meetings using board-authorized signature stamps and that detailed line-item records are available in the business office upon request.

Votes at a glance

- Fiscal year 2026 expenditure budget — outcome: adopted (voice vote). Motion mover/second: not specified in the transcript; no roll-call tally recorded. - Salary-placement changes for benefits coordinator and superintendent/admin assistant — outcome: adopted (voice vote). Motion mover/second: not specified. - 2026–27 academic calendar — outcome: adopted (voice vote). Motion mover/second: motion and second recorded; names not specified on audio. - Student fees and extracurricular charges for 2025–26 — outcome: adopted (voice vote). Motion mover/second: motion and second recorded; names not specified. - Consent agenda including vouchers — outcome: adopted (voice vote). Motion mover/second: motion and second recorded; names not specified.

Ending: Board members and administrators emphasized the district’s policy to accommodate students who cannot afford fees and said more detailed budget figures will be available in September once state calculations are final.