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Peoria Unified board approves publication of proposed FY2026 budget, schedules public hearing
Summary
The Peoria Unified School District governing board voted June 25 to publish its proposed fiscal year 2026 expenditure budget and to hold a public hearing no later than July 15, with the district proposing a July 9 hearing and adoption date.
The Peoria Unified School District governing board voted June 25 to publish the preliminary proposed fiscal year 2026 expenditure budget and to authorize a public hearing no later than July 15.
Chief Financial Officer Michelle Myers presented the proposed expenditure budget and supporting materials, summarizing maintenance and operations, capital and Classroom Site Fund proposals and the assumptions used in the preliminary forms required by state agencies while the Arizona Legislature finalizes the state budget.
Why it matters: The FY26 proposed budget sets spending limits for maintenance and operations (M&O), capital projects, and classroom resources ahead of the new school year. Publication starts the legal process that leads to adoption; final figures will be adjusted if and when the Legislature and Arizona Auditor General release final state funding forms.
Key figures and assumptions presented: Myers told the board the proposed M&O budget is $304,112,456, using a projected unweighted student average daily membership of 31,854.77812 and a projected fiscal year 2025 carry-forward estimate of $26 million. The proposed capital (District Additional Assistance) budget was presented at $50,359,283 with an estimated $30 million carry-forward. The proposed Classroom Site Fund budget was $85,332,092 with an estimated carry-forward of $49 million. Myers also described an assumed 2% inflation-driven funding increase from the state and program-level proposals that include 15 new literacy intervention teachers to be funded from Classroom Site Fund and other compensation adjustments approved earlier by the board.
Compensation and reserves: The proposed budget incorporates a 2% increase to base compensation for eligible employees (an estimated $3.2 million M&O impact) and previously board-approved Classroom Site Fund compensation initiatives totaling an estimated $6.7 million. Myers reiterated that the district is proposing a formal reserve or carry-forward policy in future budget work to clarify minimum fund balances.
Board discussion: Board members asked for more detail about projected carry-forwards and a possible formal reserve policy; several members emphasized enrollment stabilization and literacy as priorities. Board members also asked for more detail on the K2D3 reading allocation, how reading intervention positions are used at Title I and non-Title I schools, and how district leaders would evaluate program outcomes. Ms. Myers said the K2D3 reading line item is a state-identified funding source and that school-level plans and master schedules determine how time and staff are allocated; she offered to provide additional detail in follow-up reports.
Vote: Mrs. Bowles moved to approve publication of the proposed FY2026 expenditure budget and to authorize a public hearing no later than July 15; Mrs. Ewing seconded. In the voice vote, President Rooks recorded an abstention; the remaining four board members voted yes and the motion carried.
Next steps: Administration said it will publish the proposed budget summary and notice, schedule the hearing (the district indicated July 9 as the earliest practical date), and, if and when the state completes the fiscal year 2026 budget, present a revised budget for board consideration this fall.
