Chandler Unified board approves proposed FY2025–26 budget for publication, sets Truth in Taxation notice and advances several contracts and grants

The Chandler Unified School District Governing Board on Wednesday approved the district's proposed expenditure budget for fiscal year 2025'26 for publication and authorized the Truth in Taxation notice that starts the public process on potential tax measures.

Superintendent Frank Narducci also told the board the district has called a special bond and maintenance-and-operations override election for Nov. 4, 2025, asking voters to continue the district's existing 15% maintenance-and-operations override and to approve bond authority. "The existing 15% maintenance and operation override, which the district is asking to continue, maintains safety personnel and initiatives, competitive class sizes, teacher pay, and specialized programming," Narducci said, and added the district would "regularly share information on the facts of this election throughout the start of the school year."

Why it matters: Publishing a proposed budget and issuing a Truth in Taxation notice are required steps before the district holds a public hearing and adopts a final budget. The board's action begins a statutory notice period that enables public comment and sets the district up to ask residents to approve local tax measures this fall.

Key details from the proposed budget and board discussion

- Presentation and process: Business services staff presented the proposed budget for publication and explained the district must publish the proposed budget and allow at least 10 days before adopting the final expenditure budget. Mrs. Barry, who presented the budget, told the board the state legislature had not finished its work on the next fiscal-year state budget and the district was therefore preparing the statutory forms required now so the process can continue on schedule.

- Fiscal changes called out by staff: Barry summarized that the district's aggregated expenditure budget declined year over year, driven largely by lower capital carryover and capital project spending and smaller maintenance-and-operations carryover. She identified a roughly $12 million reduction in capital spending and about a $7 million net decrease in maintenance-and-operations capacity compared with the prior adopted figures. Staff also noted a projected loss of roughly 850 students for maintenance-and-operations funding and an estimated average teacher salary on the budget cover of $68,899 (which reflects the salary schedule and included performance pay).

- Tax measures and examples: As part of the Truth in Taxation discussion, staff explained one component on the notice is an adjacent-ways request of roughly $4 million; the district's example math given for that item showed the additional tax would be about $9.92 per $100,000 of assessed value if the board places the adjacent-ways levy before taxpayers in a Truth in Taxation process. Barry and board members repeatedly stressed the notice and hearing are statutory steps and that the board would present full details at the public hearing.

- Programs and donations highlighted: Superintendent Narducci and staff highlighted new or continuing programs in the budget discussion, including a newly announced semiconductor career and technical education program at Hamilton High School and philanthropic support: Intel donated $25,000 to support the semiconductor program and Toyota Financial Services donated $12,100 for back-to-school backpacks and supplies. Narducci noted the district serves roughly 40,000 students and encouraged families to register for transportation through Infinite Campus.

Board discussion and next steps

Board members asked staff clarifying questions about the state budget's uncertainty, carryover assumptions, and whether particular line items (for example, $75 million referenced in some statewide proposals) would affect the district's calculations; staff replied that some items remain unresolved at the legislature and therefore are not included in the published proposed forms. Mrs. Barry said the district will publish the required Truth in Taxation notice and return to the board at the July hearing with a full presentation and public comment opportunity.

Votes at a glance (motions and formal actions taken Wednesday)

- Item 7.02: Approve proposed school district annual expenditure budget for publication (FY2025'26). Motion: "I move that we approve the 2025-26 proposed school district annual expenditure budget for publication." Mover: Board member (moved by Mrs. Modston). Second: Mrs. Mendoza. Outcome: Approved unanimously.

- Item 6.06 (pulled from consent agenda, later considered): Contract between Chandler Unified School District and Southwest Behavioral Health Services (K'6 opportunity services) ' board discussion and final action. The board debated amendments and how the district would manage funding responsibilities; after discussion the board approved to proceed with the contract as presented in the agenda. Outcome (final vote reported): tally recorded as Yes 3, No 2 (board roll-call tally recorded in meeting minutes).

- Item 6.09: Approval of 2025'26 digital resources. A motion to remove Flocabulary by Nearpod from the approved list failed; a subsequent motion to approve the digital resources as presented passed. Outcome: Approved (roll-call tally reported as Yes 3, No 2).

- Item 7.01: Approve Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) annual membership dues ($14,930 recommended). Motion carried by majority; one board member recorded an abstention. Outcome: Approved (abstention noted).

- Item 7.03: Revision of the 2023'24 food service annual financial report (correction of the number of meals reported; no financial change). Outcome: Approved unanimously.

- Item 7.04: First Things First agreement (annual grant renewal) with the Chandler Care Center for FY2025'26 ($250,000) to support family resource center programs. Outcome: Approved unanimously. Staff clarified these funds are awarded by First Things First (a state early childhood program) and flow to district to support the care center's programs.

- Item 7.05: Authorization to issue a request for quotes (RFQ) to hire a superintendent search firm to support the district's upcoming superintendent search. Outcome: Approved unanimously; the board scheduled an opportunity to review the RFQ in a special meeting before it posts.

What the board will do next

The district will publish the proposed budget and the Truth in Taxation notice required by statute and schedule a public hearing (scheduled for July) at which residents can comment. The board will continue to brief the community on the Nov. 4, 2025 bond and override election and on the specific projects and programs that would be funded if voters approve the measures.

Ending

The board closed its regular meeting after approving the proposed budget for publication and acting on consent and action items. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 9; the July session will include the formal public hearing and final adoption steps related to the proposed FY2025'26 budget.