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Tonto Basin board approves 2026–27 budget framework and salary schedules, plans carryovers
Summary
The Governing Board approved the 2026–27 budget framework and salary schedules March 23, projecting a slight drop in general fund capacity, identifying $90,000 in savings, and budgeting $121,000 for the superintendent salary; classroom site funds and forest-fee revenues will fund technology and curriculum one-time purchases.
The Tonto Basin Elementary School District Governing Board unanimously approved the district’s 2026–27 budget framework and salary schedules at its March 23 meeting, adopting a plan that staff said balances modest program reductions with pay increases.
District staff told the board the budget base is projected to increase by about 2 percent but overall budget capacity is expected to drop marginally from $585,000 to $582,000 without changes. With carryover, capacity is estimated to decrease by about $70,000. Staff reported identifying approximately $90,000 in savings and said the district could support a $70,000 budget increase under the proposed plan.
Key line items the board reviewed include a $121,000 budgeted superintendent salary; a plan to move 25 percent of certified teacher salaries into classroom site funds (saving roughly $70,000 in M&O), projected certified salary increases of $35,000, and estimated support-staff hourly increases of about $55,000. The district plans $5,000 per teacher in performance pay and projected classroom-site funds availability of about $319,000 (including a $235,000 carryover).
The board also discussed forest-fee receipts: staff reported $42,000 already received, an anticipated $54,000 this year and $54,000 next year if the county approves, and a plan to allocate $25,000 to staff-computer replacements and $50,000 for grades 6–8 curriculum. Financial statements flagged food services in red due to three unpaid National School Lunch Program claims that remain pending.
On motions recorded in the minutes, the board adopted salary schedules (motion by Wendy, second by Shawna) and approved the issuance of 2026–27 contracts and notices of employment. Board members said grade reconfiguration and final staffing depend on the next superintendent’s decisions and that carryover figures and contingency ($158,000 projected) provide some flexibility.
Next steps: staff will finalize carryover and budget documents and prepare contract notices for the 2026–27 year prior to Friday’s hiring decision.
