Catalina Foothills board honors student achievements, approves consent agenda and previews FY27 budget timeline
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Summary
The Catalina Foothills Unified School District board recognized student and teacher honors, presented a star award to the state champion boys swim and dive team, unanimously approved the consent agenda, and reviewed the accelerated fiscal year 2027 budget timeline including target dates for straw budgets, contract offers and final adoption.
The Catalina Foothills Unified School District governing board opened its meeting by recognizing student and staff achievements across arts, athletics and academics, approved routine consent items, and reviewed an expedited draft timeline for the district's fiscal year 2027 maintenance and operations budget.
Superintendent Dr. Denise Bartlett highlighted several district honors: three Catalina Foothills High School singers were selected for the 2025 Arizona All-State Jazz Choir; Blake Hinson, a special education teacher and coach, was named one of the University of Arizona's regional top teachers of the year; the Falcon Theater earned nine superior and seven excellent rankings at the Southern Arizona Regional Festival of Theater; and Chinese immersion teacher Kai Chen received an Arizona Chinese teacher milestone award. "So congratulations to our singer and their dedication," Bartlett said, thanking staff and coaches.
The board presented the CFSD star award to the CFHS boys swim and dive Division II state championship team. Coaches and staff joined students on stage for certificates and photos. Assistant coach Scott Manky described the season's effort: "They really put their heart into this season," and coach Ted Wallach credited the athletes' dedication during practices and meets.
On routine business, the board moved, seconded and approved the consent agenda (items 5.1–5.5), including approval of the November 24, 2025 regular meeting minutes, the expense voucher memorandum, field trip requests, personnel items and gifts and donations.
District administrators then reviewed the FY27 M&O budget process. The timeline presented calls for reconciliation of FY26 budgets now, finalizing a straw budget by March (straw budget target March 3), presenting a proposed budget and first contract offers on April 7, a second contract round April 21, board approval of a proposed budget on June 9, a public hearing June 23, adoption June 24 and submission to the Arizona Department of Education. Staff said the district aims to move some dates earlier to expedite hiring, subject to finalized state budget figures.
The meeting closed after a standing legislative-update item and routine agenda planning; the board confirmed there were no public commenters signed up and adjourned at 7:31 p.m.