Yuma Union presents preliminary 2025–26 budget; board approves proposal pending final state forms

Brenda Guerra, director of finance for Yuma Union High School District, presented the district’s proposed 2025–26 budget during the meeting and emphasized the proposal is preliminary because the Arizona legislature had not finalized the state budget or new budget forms.

Guerra walked through the packet pages: the cover page with placeholder tax rates, an average teacher salary estimate (not including classroom site fund or instruction improvement payments), the maintenance and operations budget, the capital outlay budget, grants, and other funds. She said the classroom site fund (per weighted student) increased to $842 for the next year; that figure was presented as a state per‑student payment increase of $50 over the prior year. District staff said the proposed maintenance and operations total is lower than the current year’s number and that the district expects to revise figures once final state allocations and carryover amounts are determined.

On capital, staff presented a proposed unrestricted capital outlay budget and noted grant budgets and carryover will affect final totals. Guerra also explained a newly required fund balance sheet item, which shows projected fund balances and planned carryover uses.

Board members asked clarifying questions about reasons for reductions in some accounts and whether decreased totals reflected carryover assumptions; staff repeatedly characterized the numbers as preliminary and subject to revision. After discussion, a board member moved to approve the proposed school district budget for 2025–26 so the district can proceed with required public noticing and the planned July adoption process. The motion carried.

The board also set a public hearing and noted the next regular meeting when final adoption will be considered; staff made clear a revision will be expected later when the legislature adopts state budgets and new forms are available.