Governing board approves budget, calendars and multiple policy updates; several routine motions carried

The Phoenix Union High School District governing board on June 5 approved the district's proposed 2025–26 expenditure budget and carried a package of consent and policy items, including new calendars and policy revisions tied to recent state law changes.

The board approved the proposed expenditure budget after a presentation by Chief Financial Officer Doctor De Alba outlining state funding uncertainty, enrollment declines and a recommended mix of budget reductions and one-time reserves. The board also approved district calendars for multiple school years, adopted updated student-medicine and student-records policies, and carried several consent-agenda contracts and appointments.

Why it matters: The adopted proposed budget sets the district's spending framework as state funding remains unsettled and enrollment declines continue to reduce state formula funding. Policy updates implement recent state statutory changes affecting student records, mandatory reporting, and medication on campus.

Key actions and next steps - Proposed 2025–26 expenditure budget: Approved. Doctor De Alba presented background on projected ADM (average daily membership), enrollment trends, and a proposed M&O budget of roughly $389 million that embeds a $55 million desegregation allocation. The district scheduled the required Truth-in-Taxation/budget hearing and final adoption meeting for June 17. The budget presentation noted an estimated statewide shortfall and that the district will use reserves and reductions to maintain fiscal balance. (Provenance: budget presentation and motion, transcript lines beginning at 10426.399 through adoption at 11134.845.)

- Calendars for 2027–2032: Approved with board direction to continue community outreach on fall-break/Indigenous Peoples' Day alignment. (Provenance: calendar discussion at 10305.23–10375.18.)

- Policy updates and first/second readings: The board approved multiple policy revisions required by recent legislation, including policies on student medications (second reading/adoption), student records, and child-abuse mandatory reporting (first readings/adopted on first read where noted). The policies reflect new statutory definitions and reporting duties. (Provenance: policy discussions and votes clustered at 11806–12500.)

- Consent agenda and contract items: The board approved the consent agenda after pulling items 11gg and 11mm for separate votes; both pulled items were later approved after recusal and abstention disclosures were recorded. (Provenance: consent agenda and pulled items, 5550.955–5679.42.)

- Delegate to ASBA Delegate Assembly: Board member Pastor Rivera was appointed as the district delegate for the Arizona School Boards Association assembly in September; board members submitted top-five advocacy priorities to guide the delegate. (Provenance: nomination and appointment, 11143.25–11321.47.)

What the record shows and what it does not - The board passed the proposed expenditure budget and scheduled the statutorily required public hearings before final adoption. Doctor De Alba presented enrollment and funding context and the board approved the document as the district’s proposed spending plan. The transcript records the motion, second and a roll-call audio indicating passage; the verbatim yes/no counts were not recorded in the transcript excerpt provided here. The budget presentation quoted specific figures (ADM used for the budget, number of students tested for AzELa in other agenda items, and the M&O budget amount) and those figures are cited above where reported by staff.

- Several policy changes reflect new state law; the board moved some items on an expedited timeline so schools can incorporate the changes into handbooks for fall. The transcript shows board discussion and staff comments that training for staff and board members will follow.

Looking ahead: The budget will return for final adoption after advertised hearings on June 17. Staff will implement policy changes and provide training where required (for example, mandatory child-abuse reporting training for board members and staff).