Chandler Unified board publishes proposed 2025-26 budget for public hearing; approves several grants and motions

The Chandler Unified School District Governing Board on Wednesday approved the publication of the district's proposed fiscal year 2025–26 expenditure budget so the district can hold the statutorily required public hearing and adopt a final budget in July.

The board also voted on a slate of routine and contested items from the consent and action agendas, including continuation of an existing intergovernmental agreement with Southwest Behavioral Health Services while proposed contract language is reviewed; approval of a First Things First grant agreement to support the Chandler Care Center; approval of a revision to the district's 2023–24 food-services annual financial report; and authorization to issue a request for quotes to hire an external firm to lead the district's superintendent search after the superintendent announced his planned retirement effective June 2026.

Why it matters: Publishing the proposed budget triggers the district's Truth-in-Taxation and public hearing process; it is the next step before the board adopts a legally required fiscal plan for operations, capital and federal programs. Several votes also set next steps for student services, grants, and the search for a new superintendent.

Most significant votes and outcomes - Publication of the proposed FY2025–26 expenditure budget (item 7.02): board approved the proposed budget for publication and scheduled the public hearing required by statute. The vote was recorded as unanimous. - Southwest Behavioral Health…