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 Services (item 6.06): the board agreed to continue operating under the current IGA/MOU with Southwest Behavioral Health Services while district staff and legal counsel review proposed language and department impacts. The motion passed with a 3–2 margin. - 2025–26 digital resources (item 6.09): after debate over a single title (Flocabulary by Nearpod, a Renaissance company), the board ultimately approved the district's list of digital resources as presented. Final vote: 3–2 in favor of the original list. - First Things First agreement with Chandler Care Center (item 7.04): the board approved renewal of an annual grant agreement allocating $250,000 from First Things First to the Chandler Care Center to fund family-resource and parent-support activities (unanimous vote). - Revision to the 2023–24 food service annual financial report (item 7.03): the board approved a technical revision to correct how meals served were reported; the change does not alter the district's financials (unanimous vote). - Superintendent search (item 7.05): the board authorized issuance of a formal request for quotes (RFQ) to hire an executive-search firm to lead the district's superintendent search; the RFQ will be finalized and reviewed by the board at a special meeting before posting (unanimous vote). - Arizona School Boards Association membership (item 7.01): the board approved FY2025–26 membership dues for ASBA to retain access to professional development and member services; the board discussed a la carte options and will track usage next year before deciding on continued membership model.

What the board directed next - Staff were directed to publish the proposed budget and Truth-in-Taxation notice and to present the full proposed/adopted budget at the July public hearing, with a follow-up revision cycle later in the fiscal year if the state budget changes. - District staff and legal counsel will review proposed amendments to the Southwest Behavioral Health Services contract language and return with recommended, board-reviewed language; in the meantime the current IGA/MOU remains in effect to avoid any lapse in student services. - The procurement team will draft the RFQ for a superintendent-search firm and present the draft for board review at a special meeting before publicly posting the RFQ.

Board members and officials quoted in discussion - Superintendent Frank Narducci summarized items and reminded the public of the July 16 first day of school and the board's called bond/override election for Nov. 4, 2025. - Business director/assistant superintendent for business services (Mrs. Berry) and budget lead (Mrs. Barry) presented the proposed budget and explained key drivers: a projected drop in students, a projected 2% state increase in base funding (budget language still pending state action), and decreases in carryover and capital spending compared with the prior year.

Next steps and timeline - Publication of the proposed budget and Truth-in-Taxation notice, followed by the July 9 public hearing and the board's adoption of the final FY2025–26 expenditure budget. The RFQ timeline for the superintendent search will be included with the materials presented to the board at a special meeting prior to the RFQ posting.

Votes at a glance (summary table) - 7.02 Proposed district expenditure budget (publication): Approved (unanimous) - 6.06 SW Behavioral Health Services IGA/MOU (continue current agreement while review occurs): Approved (3–2) - 6.09 2025–26 digital resources (approve list as presented after debate about Flocabulary): Approved (3–2) - 7.03 Revision to 2023–24 food service annual report: Approved (unanimous) - 7.04 First Things First agreement, Chandler Care Center ($250,000): Approved (unanimous) - 7.05 RFQ for superintendent search: Approved to proceed (unanimous) - 7.01 ASBA annual membership dues (FY25–26): Approved (board majority; one abstention recorded)

Board members referenced in votes and discussion: President Serrano; Mrs. King (board clerk); Mrs. Monson/Molson (board member); Mrs. Matson (board member); Mrs. Mendoza (board member); Mr. Rohrs (board member); Mr. Heap (board member); Superintendent Frank Narducci; Chief Financial/Business staff (Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Barry); Dr. Craig Gilbert (director present for student-services items).

Ending: The board completed its business for the evening and will reconvene for the next regular meeting on July 9, 2025. Citizens who wish to comment on the proposed budget or Truth-in-Taxation are expected to attend the July hearing.