District officials say contingency funds, grants should cover FY2025 maintenance

The Governing Board of the Coconino County Accommodation School District held a public hearing July 10, 2024, at the office of the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools in Flagstaff to consider the district's Adopted Budget for fiscal year 2025. Superintendent and Board President Cheryl Mango-Paget opened and closed the brief hearing.

Erin Tutay, the district’s Director of Business Services, described the item as “this annual adopted budget is for the fiscal year 2025,” and said there were no major changes from the prior year. Dave Dirksen, the district’s Chief Education Officer, noted that state law requires only one budget-related hearing.

Board members focused their discussion on whether previously allocated capital-project funds would be sufficient to cover building maintenance. Mango-Paget recalled an earlier discussion held June 5 about capital allocation and said the issue remained under review. Tutay told the board the budget includes contingency funds that can be used for maintenance if supplemental capital purchases are required, and Dirksen said he was confident the district’s maintenance needs would be met with currently allocated funds and possible grant funding.

Dirksen asked whether there had been an update on a possible reinstatement of accommodation districts by the School Facilities Board. Mango-Paget said the legislature had not finalized a decision and that county superintendents would meet July 22 to determine what legislation the county superintendent's association might support.

The board solicited public comment on the FY2025 Adopted Budget; no members of the public addressed the board. Mango-Paget adjourned the hearing at 9:21 a.m. The board announced upcoming meetings, including an August 7, 2024 session at 9:30 a.m.

The hearing was procedural; no formal vote or motion on the Adopted Budget is recorded in the transcript.