Tolleson Union HSD board approves $25 million transfer from operations to capital; officials say reserves cover move

The Tolleson Union High School District Governing Board voted to approve the first revision to its 2024–25 budget, authorizing a $25,000,000 transfer from the maintenance and operations (M&O) fund to the capital fund to allow completion of a transaction the board approved at a prior meeting.

The change was presented during a public hearing required for budget revisions. Olivia Baida, the district’s chief financial officer, told the board the abbreviated revision does not alter adopted totals or student counts; it only reallocates capacity so the district can complete the previously approved transaction.

That explanation did not fully satisfy some public commenters. Parent Jen Diana Morrow said the district was “slashing instruction salaries and benefits for our teachers” while approving what she called a $25,000,000 building for the board. Christine Chavina, a Tolleson city council member, asked why the paperwork did not reflect the district’s verbal clarification and asked whether the documents would be revised.

District staff responded that the transfer is being made from reserves. “So it is not affecting any actual employees at this point,” said Ken Hicks, adding that anticipated compensation increases the board will consider later are not impacted by this transfer. Another staff member explained that districts must budget to their full budget limit to avoid losing state funding; the district places contingency amounts in salary and benefit lines to preserve funding capacity. Staff also noted that a further, typical revision will be brought in May to reconcile final carryforwards and actuals from the prior year.

During the public hearing the board moved and seconded approval of the first budget revision. On roll call votes recorded at the meeting, Mister Del Palacio voted yes, Vice President Chapman voted yes, and President Sun voted yes; the motion passed.

The meeting record indicates the $25,000,000 move is intended to enable completion of a transaction approved the night before; staff described the money as reserves being moved into capital capacity and said the abbreviated revision does not change adopted budgeted totals or student-count assumptions. The board proceeded to adjourn after approving the regular agenda and the budget revision.

A fuller budget revision, required to set actuals and carryforwards, is expected to be presented at the board’s first meeting in May, staff said.