Board approves personnel schedule, 2025–26 benefit plan and accepts fiscal 2024 audit

The Maricopa Unified School District governing board on March 26 approved a personnel schedule, adopted the 2025–26 district benefit plan and accepted the district’s fiscal year 2024 audits and compliance questionnaire.

Motion and vote details were recorded during the meeting. The board approved the personnel schedule by voice vote after a motion to approve; Shontay Rothschild, Ben Owens, Carolyn Lopez and Patty Cutre each registered “Aye.” The benefit-plan renewal, presented by district staff, also passed with Rothschild, Owens, Lopez and Cutre voting “Aye.” The board formally accepted the FY2024 audit and compliance questionnaire prepared by Heinfeld & Mech; the single audit had zero findings, while the compliance questionnaire contained 13 findings that the district said it will address internally. The acceptance vote recorded the same four board members as voting “Aye.”

Personnel and introductions: After approving the personnel schedule, district staff introduced Matthew Mayo as the new district director of athletics and activities and recognized Elizabeth Allison, the principal of Pima Butte Elementary, who will transfer to a planning principal role at the district’s forthcoming Sorrento K–8 school.

Benefit plan: District staff told the board that the 2025–26 renewal required the district to absorb an approximately 14% cost increase for employee coverage; presenters said employees can still opt out or seek alternative coverage through other marketplaces or dependent plans. The district and its benefits consultant noted offering multiple plan options, including a higher-deductible HDHP with HSA contributions intended to keep premium costs lower for some employees.

Audit acceptance: Finance staff summarized the FY2024 audit process performed by Heinfeld & Mech, noting that the Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR) is a 404-page rule set and that the USFR compliance questionnaire contains 171 questions. The auditors completed the required single-audit work; the single audit returned zero findings. District staff said the 13 findings in the compliance questionnaire were not material enough to require Auditor General corrective-action filings and that corrective actions and staff training will be undertaken internally.

Votes at a glance: - Adoption of agenda — Motion to approve agenda as written; vote recorded: Shontay Rothschild Aye; Ben Owens Aye; Carolyn Lopez Aye; Patty Cutre Aye. Outcome: approved. - Personnel schedule — Motion to approve personnel schedule as written; vote recorded: Shontay Rothschild Aye; Ben Owens Aye; Carolyn Lopez Aye; Patty Cutre Aye. Outcome: approved. Notes: Introductions made following the vote (Matthew Mayo; Elizabeth Allison transfer to Sorrento K–8 planning principal). - District benefit plan (SY 2025–26) — Motion to approve benefit plan renewal; vote recorded: Shontay Rothschild Aye; Ben Owens Aye; Carolyn Lopez Aye; Patty Cutre Aye. Outcome: approved. Notes: District to provide employees with resource information on alternative coverage options; district to cover a ~14% increase in premiums. - Acceptance of FY2024 audits and compliance questionnaire — Motion to accept audits and questionnaire; vote recorded: Shontay Rothschild Aye; Ben Owens Aye; Carolyn Lopez Aye; Patty Cutre Aye. Outcome: approved. Notes: Single audit — 0 findings; compliance questionnaire — 13 findings; no Auditor General corrective action required; internal corrective actions planned.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous recorded adjournment vote by the same board members. The board did not record any dissenting votes on the items above.