Tempe Elementary board approves administration—s $7.4M package of budget cuts to avoid projected deficit

The Tempe Elementary School District governing board on Monday voted unanimously to accept Superintendent Driscoll—s recommended package of budget reductions intended to close a projected $7—7.6 million shortfall for the 2026—27 school year.

Administrators presented three paths: do nothing (which would risk a roughly $7.6 million overspend next year), adopt the recommendation (a menu of targeted reductions designed to produce about $7.4 million in savings) or send staff back with alternative proposals. The board selected the administration—s recommendation and authorized staff to implement it.

The package includes a mix of district-level and site-level reductions the administration said would affect roughly 71 full-time-equivalent positions across categories (some positions are currently vacant). Key line items the administration estimated: eliminating one prep period (teaming) at middle schools ($1.4 million), reducing district staffing ($1.25 million), consolidating middle-school ELA into an ELA block ($1.23 million), reducing literacy specialists/teaching-and-learning…