Prescott Unified board adopts FY2026 budget, updates pay scales, approves 2026–27 calendar and student fees
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Summary
At its July 1 meeting, the Prescott Unified School District governing board adopted the FY2026 expenditure budget, approved classified pay placement changes, passed the 2026–27 academic calendar and approved the 2025–26 student fee schedule, with staff noting carry‑forward projections and a temporary accounting increase in ADM for preliminary forms.
The Prescott Unified School District governing board voted July 1 to adopt the district’s FY2026 expenditure budget and approved several operational items including changes to salary placement for two classified positions, the 2026–27 academic calendar and the student fee schedule for 2025–26.
Chief Financial Officer (Mister Moore) told the board the budget before them was essentially the same document presented two weeks earlier, "except for on the cover sheet, it says adopted, rather than proposed." He explained that because the state budget and new forms were still being finalized, district staff had to use preliminary assumptions; staff noted a one‑time District Additional Assistance (DAA) allocation of about $190,000 for FY25 and projected a carry‑forward in the range of $3.1–3.3 million after year‑end adjustments, while showing a $2,252,000 figure as a set‑aside projection on the forms.
The board approved the FY2026 budget by voice vote. The record shows the motion carried after members responded "aye" and no members voiced opposition.
On personnel matters, staff proposed raising the classification for the benefits coordinator from a level 5 to a level 7 (presenters cited a current starting rate of $16.81 per hour and proposed a new starting point of $18.21) and adjusting the administrative assistant to superintendent/governing board starting placement (the starting salary band cited at $42,075, with comparable districts noted higher). Administration described a process to apply the district’s 3% increase to current employees and to place incumbents on the new scale; the board adopted the changes by voice vote.
The board approved the 2026–27 academic calendar after staff corrected formatting and moved a professional‑development day from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4. Staff also described publishing one calendar version for employees (including payday reminders) and a family‑facing version that omits payroll details.
The student fee schedule for 2025–26 was adopted as presented. Staff highlighted that fees are typically for materials or optional activities and that the district will waive or cover fees for families in hardship. Examples discussed included a marching‑band participation fee cited at $400, an athletic participation fee (about $150) and a new nominal graduation fee of $25 to help offset rental and sound costs for the ceremony. Administration said dual‑enrollment “fees” listed generally cover materials rather than college tuition.
Each of the listed items was approved on motions recorded with voice votes; the meeting transcript records affirmative "aye" responses and no recorded oppositions during these votes.
