Casa Grande Elementary board approves annual financial report, ASBA bylaw changes; bond and override funds update

The Casa Grande Elementary School District governing board on Oct. 8 received the district—s annual update on voter-approved override and bond spending, approved the 2023-24 Annual Financial Report (AFR) and voted to accept proposed changes to the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) bylaws.

Tammy Blomquist, the district—s director of finance, presented the required override- and bond-expenditure update and the AFR. Blomquist said the district—s 10% maintenance and operations (M&O) override produced about $4,600,000 in budget capacity in fiscal year 2024 and is expected to bring an estimated $4,700,000 in fiscal year 2025. The M&O budget for FY2025 was reported as $59,915,055; the capital budget was $6,244,605. Average daily membership for FY24 was reported at 6,174.98 students.

On the bond side, Blomquist said total bond capacity is $44,660,000, with $40,000,000 allocated to school construction, site improvements, safety and security and technology and $4,660,000 allocated to buses. She reported $549,868 in remaining bond proceeds as of June 30, 2024. Blomquist also provided a breakdown of M&O expenditures the AFR shows: salaries 59%, benefits 21%, purchased services 14% and supplies 6%.

"Hello. I'm Tammy Blomquist, the director of finance, and this is the presentation on the override and bond," Blomquist said when she began the report.

Superintendent Dr. Leckey described the bond program as a long-term community investment and praised district staff for coordinating bond dollars with other funding sources. "I just want to really acknowledge how creative and judicious our team has been in stewarding this investment from our community," Dr. Leckey said.

Board members voted to approve the AFR for the year ended June 30, 2024. During the AFR presentation, Blomquist said the district—s carry forward (unspent funds carried into the new fiscal year) rose from roughly $7.9 million in FY23 to about $11.9 million in FY24; classroom site fund carry forward stood at about $3.1 million (an increase of roughly $1.2 million or 16.9%), and capital fund carry forward was reported at about $1.0 million (an increase of about $404,000).

Board discussion included public acknowledgement of the community—s role. "I think it's important just to say thank you to the community for the investment in the district and our children," board member Mr. Cruz said during discussion.

The board also considered and approved proposed changes to the ASBA bylaws. Board member comments during that item focused on representation and support for Pinal County in statewide ASBA governance; Mr. Cruz asked the district to continue raising concerns about county director allocation given Pinal County—s growth.

Votes at the meeting that relate to this story: the board approved the AFR (roll call: President Varela Aye; Mr. Sibley Aye; Mrs. Sisson Aye; Mrs. Martinez Aye; Mr. Cruz Aye), approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting (roll call recorded as all Aye), and later approved the proposed ASBA bylaw changes (roll call recorded as all Aye). The meeting also included the required public meeting notices under Arizona law and an explanation that the board may convene to executive session on legal matters pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes.

The board was told the district plans to continue using bond and override funds for site and facility improvements, safety and technology, and to align capital spending with instructional priorities. The district will present additional updates to the board as projects proceed.