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Queen Creek Unified adopts FY2026–27 budget and $3.0M adjacent-ways levy
Summary
The governing board approved the FY2026–27 expenditure budget and a $3.0 million adjacent-ways levy by roll call; one board member voted no, citing litigation and concerns about raising taxes while contract disputes with EVIT continue.
The Queen Creek Unified School District governing board approved the district’s FY2026–27 expenditure budget and a $3.0 million adjacent-ways levy in a roll-call vote, advancing the district’s spending plan before the statutory adoption deadline.
Jessica Johnston of the district business office presented the budget and tax-rate overview required by ARS 15-905, telling the board the proposed plan includes a conservative ADM estimate, the remaining school facilities allocation for Eastmark and Chrisman High Schools, and a request to levy $3,000,000 for adjacent-ways projects (estimated at about $21.63 per $100,000 of assessed value). Johnston said the district’s per-pupil base support is set at $5,215 under the statutory inflation factor and noted that the district’s reauthorized M&O override contributes about $16.5 million to operating budgets.
A board member moved to adopt the proposed FY2026–27 expenditure budget and levy the adjacent-ways tax for FY27. One board member opposed the motion, saying, "I'm voting no on raising taxes for rising expenditure costs because I believe it is irresponsible to take more taxpayer money while entangled in costly litigation over the district's failure to meet an agreement for an IGA with EVIT." The motion passed; the meeting transcript records the aye votes called as Samantha Davis, Jennifer Rivel and Kelly Anderson.
Board materials described intended uses for the adjacent-ways levy including fire-lane and bus-lane resurfacing, off-site road improvements required by municipalities, and bus-parking capacity for the district's growing fleet. Johnston noted the estimated overall tax rate for the district is about $5.30 for the year and that final certification of rates will occur when Maricopa County finalizes rates in August.
Adoption of the budget allows district staff to proceed with encumbrances for fiscal-year closeout and to submit required reporting including the annual financial report in October and override-expenditure reporting required by statute.
The board took no additional amendments at the meeting; budget revisions are possible later in the year subject to statutory processes.
