Apache Junction Unified District reviews FY26 proposed budget, sets July adoption timeline

Gina Salazar, district finance staff for Apache Junction Unified District (4443), presented the district's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget at a June 24 special Governing Board meeting and said the administration will seek approval of the proposed budget by July 5 and final adoption by July 15. Salazar said the presentation used FY25 figures because the state budget had not been finalized.

"We are still working with FY '25 numbers because the budget has not been passed by the state yet," Salazar said. "Our base amount is still going to be $5,013; it is anticipated to rise to about $5,113.26." She explained that figure is multiplied by the district's student count and weights to produce the district's state funding estimate, and that enrollment declines are included in the projection.

Why it matters: the board must adopt a proposed budget before the statutory deadline and then adopt a final budget after the required public notice period. The FY26 numbers will determine how much the district allocates to maintenance and operations (M&O), capital projects and grant-funded programs, and…