Board approves conservative proposed 2026—7 budget and several administrative items

The Sahuarita Unified School District governing board approved the administration's conservative proposed budget for fiscal year 2026—7 and a package of administrative items that the superintendent and CFO presented as part of routine business.

Chief Financial Officer Lisette (Lette) Huey summarized key assumptions behind the proposed budget: a conservative projected average daily membership (ADM) decline of 4 percent for planning purposes, a revenue control limit with a 2 percent inflation assumption, and carryforward estimates that will be firmed when the annual financial report is complete in October. "...we always try and take a very conservative approach. We are called to be good stewards of the public's trust and the public's dollar," Dr. Manuel Valenuela said in introducing the budget.

Board action taken (votes were recorded verbally as "I" for approval on each motion unless noted):

- Approval of the revised meeting agenda (motion passed). - Approval of minutes from the May 27 meeting (motion passed). - Adoption of updated graduation requirements to reflect the state civics test increase to 70 percent and clarify which music/band courses can satisfy the one-credit physical education requirement (motion passed). - Approval of extended resource course proposals to better align specially designed instruction with state reporting (motion passed). - Approval of the proposed fiscal 2026—7 budget for public-notice purposes (motion passed). - Authorization to publish a truth-and-taxation notice for a primary adjacent-ways levy (approximately $600,000 in the notice; included in the proposed budget) (motion passed). - Renewal of the Arizona School Alliance workers' compensation plan (renewal amount presented in meeting materials) (motion passed). - Renewal of the Arizona School Risk Retention Trust liability insurance (recommended renewal ~$879,697; motion passed). - Approval of the consent agenda (multiple routine items approved together) (motion passed).

Board members discussed budgeting philosophy and carryforward funds, noting that carryforward is often one-time money used for capital and emergent facility needs and that state processes for facility grants can be slow or subject to change. The superintendent and CFO repeatedly described the approach as "steady, balanced, conservative" and said final carryforward figures will be confirmed after year-end close.

Next steps: the administration will publish required public notices and continue budget revisions as year-end figures are finalized; the board will consider any required second readings or final budget adoption according to statutory timelines.