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Heber-Overgaard board approves December budget revision, policy updates and community garden lease; tables cell tower
Summary
At its Dec. 9 meeting the Heber-Overgaard Unified School District No. 6 board unanimously approved a December budget revision required by the Arizona Department of Education, adopted administrative policy changes and a 19‑year community garden lease, and tabled a proposed cell-tower deal.
The Heber-Overgaard Unified School District No. 6 governing board on Dec. 9 unanimously adopted a December Budget Revision 1 after the district’s Business Manager, Andrea Despain, said the revision was required by the Arizona Department of Education’s Budget 25 review to align the district’s numbers with ADE, correct Average Daily Membership counts and move one‑time funding to the proper lines.
The revision was presented during a public budget hearing and included a fund‑balances page outlining cash on hand and a five‑year plan. The board approved the revision on a roll-call vote with Tim Leedy, Wendy Hall, Craig Blackburn, John Piva and Pattie Weber recorded as voting “Aye.”
The meeting also produced several administrative approvals. The board voted unanimously to adopt a revised Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form intended for both employees and trustees; the new form streamlines signature lines and adds space to list relationships and business interests for auditing.
During the consent agenda the board approved routine items including minutes from Nov. 18, 2025; auxiliary and student accounts for October 2025; payroll vouchers (#11 and #12) and expense vouchers (#9018–#9021); and two new hires (a substitute and an 8th‑grade boys basketball coach).
On policy matters the board adopted Chapter 3 (second viewing), which amends the facilities‑use agreement to permit inflatable slides and jump houses provided organizers secure a special‑event insurance policy of at least $1 million per occurrence naming the district as an additional insured. The board completed a first viewing of Chapter 4 (Human Resources) and will revisit it for a second reading in January.
A proposed cell‑tower lease was not approved; the board tabled that agenda item because the lease agreement is still under legal review and not finalized. Superintendent Ron Tenney told the board the cell‑tower lease remains under revision with the district’s attorney.
The board approved a revised community garden lease with HOCRN, changing the term from 20 to 19 years (to expire Sept. 1, 2044) to comply with statutory limits and setting an annual fee of $250; board counsel advised that a finalized legal description and site plan for the fenced area would be appended later. Trustee John Piva recused himself from the HOCRN vote because he also serves on HOCRN’s board; the motion passed among remaining members.
Business Manager Despain said the district is in a strong cash position and has avoided using its line of credit. She reported a Performance Audit Compliance review is tentatively scheduled for late January; of 32 findings, 13 are cleared and three items (including fixed and capital assets) remain outstanding, for which the district plans to propose external help to complete a physical inventory.
Board President Tim Leedy called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.; the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. The next regular meeting is set for Jan. 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Capps Middle School.
"Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the me for the we," leadership team member Nathan Stoelk said during a brief district‑leadership moment near the meeting’s close.
