Cartwright governing board adopts first FY2026 budget revision after public hearing

The Cartwright School District governing board on Wednesday approved a revision to the district—s FY2026 annual expenditure budget following a public hearing and staff presentation. President Lydia Hernandez moved to adopt the revision, Vice President Rosa Cantu seconded, and the board voted unanimously.

District finance staff said state actions this summer produced several changes that affected the adopted budget. Presenters noted a 2% increase to the state base support level, a statewide $75 million state aid supplement that staff described as a carryover of lands-trust/Prop-related funds, and a one-time district additional assistance payment and free-and-reduced-price-lunch supplement. At the same time, the district reported lower enrollment than assumed in June

(adopted budget): roughly 350 fewer students than the June adopted plan and about 700 fewer than the prior year, which reduced weighted ADM by about 430 and trimmed revenue versus the original projection.

Those effects were partly offset by the state supplements and by higher-than-anticipated carryforward. Staff told the board that carryforward improved as purchase orders were closed and some expected expenditures (for example, substitute teachers) were lower than forecast, allowing an increase in available M&O funds and a net increase to the district—s revenue control of about $310,000 for FY26. Staff also said they took a conservative approach and did not budget an uncertain one-time free-and-reduced-price-lunch supplement until its amount is confirmed.

Board members pressed staff on significant upcoming capital needs discussed as part of the revision: a Chromebook fleet refresh and a K–3 ELA textbook adoption. District staff said an RFP process is underway for devices and that textbook adoptions can run into the millions; exact costs were not yet available. The presentation also reviewed capital fund and M&O fund interactions and noted two large expected purchases that could require transferring funds to avoid depleting capital reserves.

During discussion about the consent agenda prior to the budget vote, the board heard staff explain a McKinney-Vento-related grant partnership (Valley of the Sun United Way and Salvation Army) that provides hotel vouchers and other services for families experiencing homelessness; staff estimated 150–200 families currently qualify for those services. The board approved the consent agenda with an exception to table Item 19 for executive-session discussion and then approved the revised FY2026 budget by roll-call vote (Cantu: aye; Cassandra Hernandez: aye; President Lydia Hernandez: aye).

The board and staff noted the FY26 revision sets the district—s budget posture for the year but warned more discussions will be needed as enrollment trends continue and state/federal uncertainties remain. President Lydia Hernandez said she expects additional conversations about staffing and resource alignment as the district plans for the next budget cycle.