Tempe Union board approves 2025 annual financial report showing $108M in maintenance and operations spending

The Tempe Union High School District governing board on a 3-0 vote accepted the district's fiscal year 2025 annual financial report, Superintendent Dr. Wilson and business services staff told the board at the meeting.

The report, covering the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2025, shows the district spent about $108 million on maintenance and operations (M&O) and identified classroom spending as the largest single use of M&O dollars. Business services staff said roughly 71% of the M&O total was spent on regular education, with special education at just over $25 million and pupil transportation at about $5.5 million.

The annual financial report also breaks expenditures down by category: salaries and benefits account for about 81% of M&O spending, purchased services about 13%, supplies nearly $6 million and a smaller “other” category. The presenter noted districtwide classroom spending represented about 64.1% of total spending across nearly all funds in the current year compared with 66.5% reported previously by the state Auditor General for 2023–24.

Board members discussed the modest year‑to‑year shifts. Member Bridal asked whether the changes reflected inflation or structural adjustments; the presenter said inflationary pressures (utilities, insurance and other costs) are a primary driver and that the district's long‑term budget work and staffing committee are intended to tighten administrative spending over time.

The board voted to approve the item after the presentation. President Montero moved approval; Member Gutierrez Miller seconded. The vote was recorded as 3-0.

The superintendent and staff said the district will continue to provide monthly financial reports and that the Auditor General’s statewide comparative report for 2024–25 is expected in February or March next year.