Gilbert Unified District board approves FY2026 budget revision after smaller-than-expected enrollment loss

The Gilbert Unified District (4239) Governing Board voted to approve Fiscal Year 2026 budget revision No. 3 after district finance staff reported enrollment and revenue updates that improved the district’s financial outlook.

District presenters Jackie Maten and Amber Morgan told the board the district initially projected a loss of 1,300 students but "really only lost 768 students," and that weighted student counts increased by 1,033. Those count changes raised the district’s revenue-control limit and contributed to an overall increase from the adopted budget to the revised budget. Presenters described a $4.97 million difference in the M (maintenance and operations) budget from adopted to revised figures, the removal of a $3 million transfer from capital to M, and new state aid and free-and-reduced-price lunch add-on estimates that together resulted in a roughly $7.66 million net increase over the adopted budget, as presented to the board.

The presenters also summarized unrestricted capital adjustments, noting an upward revision to one-time state aid (reported in the presentation as approximately $750,000 higher than originally estimated) and updated interest and carry-forward estimates that raised available capital resources.

Board members had no extended discussion after the presentation. The board moved, seconded and voted to approve the revision; the public roll call earlier in the meeting established five members present and a quorum. No recorded opposition was entered during the vote.

The approval requires signature on final documents and the presenters noted that the board’s action tonight will be followed by the administrative steps needed to finalize the revision. The board also reminded the public that the district continues to monitor enrollment and state aid estimates and will report further changes if they occur.