Yuma Elementary District 1 board approves 2025–26 budget, adopts i‑Ready math and several personnel and pay measures

Yuma Elementary School District 1’s Governing Board on June 24, 2025, approved the district’s fiscal year 2025–26 proposed budget and a set of other routine and policy items, including adoption of a new elementary and middle‑school math curriculum and several personnel and pay measures.

The approved budget carries a conservative enrollment assumption and uses district maintenance and operations (M&O) and district additional assistance (DAA) funding rather than expiring federal ESSER grant funds, officials said. The board also approved adoption of the i‑Ready classroom mathematics program, granted the superintendent a performance payment for 2024–25, approved the Classroom Site Fund (Prop 301) performance plan for 2025–26, and confirmed Concepcion (Connie) Rivera as assistant principal at Fourth Avenue Junior High School.

District staff presented the proposed budget before the board vote. “We are budgeting a decrease by 1.5%,” said Jamie Walden, the staff member who presented the budget, explaining that the district is using a conservative estimate of average daily membership (ADM) until enrollment stabilizes after the start of school. Walden told the board the budgeted M&O total for 2025–26 is about $72 million and that the district intentionally left reserves (about $1,000,000 in M&O and $1,500,000 in DAA) for future years.

Why it matters: The budget vote establishes the district’s spending limits for the coming year and determines how the district replaces or reclaims functions previously funded by one‑time federal grants. Adoption of a core math program signals a near‑term change in classroom materials and professional development for teachers.

Key details - Budget: The board approved the fiscal year 2025–26 proposed budget as presented by district staff. The proposal uses a conservative 1.5% decline in ADM for planning; some capital carry‑forwards and final carry amounts will be finalized after the annual financial report in October. The budget presentation noted a proposed M&O figure around $72,000,009 (presented in meeting materials) and a reduction in DAA of about $4.4 million tied in part to lower projected ADM and shifting costs back to district funds instead of ESSER grants. - Math curriculum: The board adopted i‑Ready Classroom Mathematics for the 2025–26 school year following a 60‑day public review and a recommendation from a district adoption team that included teachers from all grade levels. District staff said they plan to purchase accompanying manipulatives and to provide summer training for coaches and teachers so instruction can begin promptly. - Superintendent performance pay: The board approved the superintendent’s 5% performance pay for the 2024–25 school year as allowed in the superintendent’s contract; the payment is tied to progress on board‑established district goals. - Classroom Site Fund (Prop 301): The board approved the CSF/Prop 301 performance plan to set base pay and performance components for the coming year and to allow the CSF summer professional development day to proceed. The district reported committee approval with high participation rates among teachers. - Personnel: Concepcion Rivera was approved as assistant principal at Fourth Avenue Junior High School, effective for the 2025–26 school year. - Policy advisories: The board approved ASBA policy advisories for the period noted in the agenda packet and a locally crafted policy (JIAA — Bridal and Safety) on second reading.

Meeting process and votes: Most motions were moved and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote. The meeting record shows each item was moved and seconded (movers and seconders recorded in minutes); votes were taken by voice with motions passing.

What the board said: In explaining the budget, Walden emphasized the district had used federal ESSER funds in recent years but is transitioning expenses back to district M&O and DAA funds as ESSER expires. Walden said some capital and maintenance spending in recent years had been supported by ESSER and that this budget restores those line items to district funds.

What’s next: Staff will finalize carry‑forward figures after completion of the annual financial report and may bring a revision in December if needed. Teachers and site leaders will proceed with curriculum training after district purchase of i‑Ready materials.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting minutes): - Approve fiscal year 2025–26 proposed budget — Moved by Mr. Stoner; seconded by (record). Outcome: approved. - Approve superintendent performance pay (5% for 2024–25) — Moved by Keith Ware (as recorded); seconded (record). Outcome: approved. - Adopt i‑Ready Classroom Mathematics for 2025–26 — Moved by Mr. Stoner; seconded by Ms. Rico. Outcome: approved. - Approve Classroom Site Fund (Prop 301) performance plan for 2025–26 — Moved by Ms. Rico; seconded by Mr. Stoner. Outcome: approved. - Confirm Concepcion Rivera as assistant principal for Fourth Avenue Junior High School — Moved; seconded. Outcome: approved. - Adopt ASBA policy advisories (period noted in agenda) and local policy JIAA — Moved; seconded. Outcome: approved.

Ending: The board completed routine business and scheduled follow‑up budget and facility reporting, and staff said additional documentation (final carry‑forwards and specific CSF growth‑measure wording) will be brought to the board in August and at later meetings as needed.