District presents bond and override expenditure update; no action taken

Mister French, presenting to the Littleton Elementary District governing board, provided an informational update on the district's bond authorization and override expenditures required under Arizona law.

He told the board the voters approved a bond in November 2021 that was sold in June 2022 and that the district has drawn about $14.4 million of the $15 million authorization, with the majority of those funds used to complete Lincoln Prep Academy. The district has also paid roughly $131,000 toward architectural drawings and permits for a maintenance-building renovation and expects to use remaining bond proceeds on that project and other planned capital work.

The presentation also summarized state and federal project expenditures. Mister French said federal COVID-related funds accounted for the largest share of recent federal-project spending (retention stipends, technology purchases, signature-school expenditures, and some salary and benefits). He highlighted Title I spending of $1,300,000 and IDEA spending of $1,490,000. He said reimbursement grants can create short-term negative beginning balances as the district spends first and seeks reimbursement.

On overrides, Mister French reviewed the most recent capital override (a November 2018 ballot measure that became effective in FY20) and described the district's M&O override priorities. For FY24 the district identified five M&O override spending areas totaling $5,720,000: full-day kindergarten supplements above state half-day funding, lower class-size staffing (including short- and long-term substitutes), teacher and staff salary supplements, special programs (art, PE, music, signature programs) and after-school extracurriculars and sports. He previewed planned capital projects for the coming year, including technology refreshes at Country Place and the online academy, fencing for vacant future school sites, playground enhancements, building renovations (including the maintenance building), and continuation of security upgrades and a solar installation discussed at a prior meeting.

Mister French cited Arizona statutes requiring this annual update (stated in the meeting as statutes 15-4-81(Y) and 15-4-91(K)), and said the district publishes this information so the community can track progress and spending decisions. The item was presented for information only; the board took no vote on the bond or override programs during this agenda item.

Next steps: staff said they will continue planning listed capital projects and, if the district places a capital authorization on the ballot, provide voters with details before the election. The district also noted it will monitor remaining bond balances and report progress to the board and community.