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J O Combs board backs 1% pay raise while delaying decision on extracurricular stipend cuts
Summary
Superintendent-level staff presented a 2026–27 budget projecting a roughly $1 million shortfall tied to a 60-ADM enrollment loss and recommended a 1% base pay increase plus $1.4M in savings largely from attrition and program/stipend reductions; the board approved the 1% raise but withheld the extracurricular stipend schedule for further study after public outcry.
J O Combs Unified School District leaders on May 13 presented a proposed 2026–27 maintenance-and-operations budget built around a projected loss of roughly 60 average daily membership (ADM) and the statutory requirement that school budgets be balanced. Leadership recommended a 1% base salary increase for employees (estimated cost about $300,000 including benefits) and a package of savings — mainly position attrition, technology and benefits changes, and reductions to extracurricular stipends — intended to close a budget gap of roughly $1.4 million.
"By state statute, the very first goal that we have to have is you have to balance the budget," the district finance presenter said in the study session, framing the recommendations as constrained by law. The presentation included an estimated $500,000 in net savings from switching health-insurance vendors and roughly $73,000 in technology-backend savings, as well as $200,000 of positions shifted to Medicaid funding.
Why it matters: school funding in Arizona is closely tied to ADM and small shifts in enrollment can change state aid by large dollar amounts. The district's plan preserves a modest pay increase while asking schools and central office to absorb most savings through attrition and program adjustments.
Board action and next steps: the board approved the 1% salary increase and associated salary-schedule language as presented, and separately approved salary schedules with the explicit exception of the extra-duty (extracurricular) stipend schedule. "If you don't agree with that cut, just understand we're running into a time crunch by June to get the proposed budget finalized," the presenter said, asking the board for direction; the board charged staff to return in June with alternative options and additional data. The motion to approve the 1% raise and withhold the extracurricular stipend schedule carried 4-0.
Public reaction and operational details: the budget presentation and the proposed $62,000 in extracurricular savings prompted weeks of community concern that culminated at the meeting in comments from students, coaches and parents urging the board not to eliminate programs such as girls soccer, tennis and girls golf. Board members asked staff to explore options such as temporarily suspending programs, better marketing/recruitment, or finding alternative savings so that the affected programs might be restored if participation rebounds.
What was not decided: the board did not adopt the proposed changes to the extracurricular stipend schedule at this meeting; that item was removed from immediate approval so the board can weigh alternatives and see more precise impacts. Staff flagged that some cuts — especially in small rural or low-participation programs — may be reversible if local recruitment increases and participation returns.
What to watch: staff will return to the June 10 meeting with alternative options and requested data on athletic fees, stipend totals and participant counts to help the board evaluate trade-offs before the legally required budget adoption process later in June/July.
