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Board approves FY2025–26 budget revision as district reports 4% ADM decline
Summary
After a presentation by district staff, the Sunnyside Unified School District governing board approved the first revision to the fiscal 2025–26 expenditure budget following a roughly 4% decline in average daily membership; board members discussed right-sizing staff, reserves and next steps.
The Sunnyside Unified School District governing board on Thursday approved the first revision to the district's fiscal year 2025–26 annual expenditure budget after administrators reported a roughly 4% drop in average daily membership (ADM).
Carla Walters presented the revision during a public hearing, saying the Arizona Department of Education's Dec. 1 report showed ADM at about 12,732 (later reported at 12,719), down roughly 600 students from this time last year. "ADM is what we use for funding purposes," Walters said, noting kindergarten and preschool students count as one-half in ADM calculations.
Walters told the board the ADM decline reduced the district's revenue-control limit by about $3.3 million; she said carryforward balances and one-time legislative adjustments (about $959,669 in state aid and an approximately $762,615 free-and-reduced-population adjustment) offset part of that shortfall. The net change in the maintenance and operations budget in this revision was an increase of $285,543, she said.
Board members raised questions about staffing and options to respond to the enrollment trend. Walters advised reviewing vacancies and using attrition to align FTE with current enrollment, reminding members that salaries and benefits make up the largest share of district expenses. "We should align our staff with enrollment or right sizing," she said.
The board moved to approve the budget revision as presented. A roll-call vote recorded support from all members present (Mr. Busamante, Miss Hernandez, Mr. Harmo and Mr. Rodriguez); Mrs. Gintterero was absent.
The public hearing portion of the item drew no speakers; administrators said the district will monitor enrollment for the 100th-day count and may make additional adjustments in the May revision if needed. The board did not specify layoffs; administrators said attrition and vacancy reviews will be the first approach.
What happens next: staff will implement the budget revision and continue to track ADM; any further changes will be brought back to the board for action.
