Hackberry Elementary School District approves FY25 financial report; business manager updates audit response

The Hackberry Elementary School District #3 Governing Board approved the district's Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2025 at its Oct. 14 meeting and received updates on ongoing audit and budget developments.

Business Manager Sam Dell told the board that "As of August 2025, our financial picture reflects increased expenditures compared to the same period last year," identifying an approximate $50,000 rise in the Maintenance and Operations fund tied largely to payroll costs and purchases of instructional programs and materials. Dell also said the district invested in a student-growth data system whose upfront costs are not expected to recur in future budget cycles and noted the financial snapshot he presented reflected data from about 45 days earlier but that more recent figures showed the budget had stabilized.

On the Auditor General corrective action plan, the board heard that staff compiled and submitted documentation requested to address 41 corrective findings. Dell said he spent roughly six days preparing and submitting the materials; the board recorded this as an informational update and took no formal action on the audit item at the meeting.

Valerie Grimes moved to approve the Annual Financial Report for FY25; Pam Adams seconded the motion, which was recorded as passing 4-0. The approval completes the FY25 reporting cycle presented earlier in the meeting.

The board also approved, on consent, accounts payable vouchers 2660 and 2661 and payroll vouchers 2607 and 2608. Donations from St. Mary's Food Bank and the Mohave County Department of Public Health were accepted and the board directed staff to send thank-you notes.

The board will continue routine fiscal oversight at future meetings; no additional financial actions were scheduled at this session.