Yuma Elementary School District adopts $82 million FY2026–27 budget and approves truth-in-taxation levy for adjacent ways

The Yuma Elementary School District governing board on June 29 approved the district's proposed FY2026–27 expenditure budget and adopted a truth-in-taxation levy to support adjacent-ways expenditures after a public hearing at which no members of the public spoke.

Board members voted on the levy by roll call after the statutory hearing. The transcript records the roll-call results as: Ms. Anderson — approved; Ms. Corico — approved; Mr. Jeff Stoner — approved; David Baro — approved. The motion carried. A subsequent voice vote approved the district's proposed $82 million combined budget for 2026–27.

The board was told that roughly 70.5% of the proposed budget is allocated to employee-related expenditures, and that the budget emphasizes safe learning environments, competitive employee compensation, responsible fiscal stewardship and strategic capital investments. Ms. Walton summarized statutory timing and compliance details, noting the board must adopt a budget no later than July 15 and submit it electronically to the Arizona Department of Education by July 18, 2026; she added the adopted budget may include reductions but may not increase certain maintenance-and-operations or unrestricted capital outlay lines.

The hearing and votes were conducted under procedures required by Arizona Revised Statutes. No public comments were received during the hearing.

The board's approval authorizes the district to collect the property tax necessary to support projects and expenditures related to adjacent ways in accordance with state law and to proceed with the adopted spending plan for FY2026–27.