Maricopa Unified adopts preliminary FY 2026–27 budget; board approves multiple construction and contract items

Maricopa Unified School District’s governing board adopted a preliminary FY 2026–27 budget during a July 8 meeting, approving the budget forms the district will finalize after the state’s budget actions. The board also approved several construction contracts and a return to membership in the Arizona School Boards Association.

Mr. Harmon, the district presenter, said the district used preliminary forms because some state budget items remained pending and “we plan to revise the final forms in September.” The presentation cited a per-weighted-student base level of $5,215.53, an additional $960,000 targeted to experienced teachers, and an increase in the classroom site fund from $8.42 to $8.83 per pupil. The proposed general budget limit listed was $90,600,000; the presentation estimated an ending balance just over $20,600,000 and said a levy of $4,359,885 would be needed to meet the proposed expenditure plan.

Board members moved and seconded the formal adoption of the budget on preliminary forms. The motion carried with recorded ayes from Shontay Rothschild, Ben Owens, Lisa Garcia and Patty Couture.

On capital and construction items, the board approved an early guaranteed maximum price (GMP #1) for the Federal Road canal tiling (MSIDD canal) to start preliminary surveying and pothole work. Mr. Harmon said the full project estimate is roughly $10 million and that the early GMP is a smaller initial authorization that will be rolled into the final GMP later. Board members asked about staging locations; Mr. Harmon said contractors had arranged use of a portion of Community of Hope (a local church) for temporary staging and agreed to provide additional details on the agreement.

The board also approved final GMP #3 for Maricopa High School’s workforce development and gym renovation, which covers the gym work and an education-professions space. Mr. Harmon described site selection constraints and said staging plans moved from an earlier proposed location to the church property noted above.

Separately, the board approved multiple vendor awards under RFQ27-104-07 to expand the district’s job-order-contracting list and encourage use of local contractors. The board also authorized a JOC contract with Chase Construction to build two sand-volleyball courts at Maricopa High School, a project Mr. Harmon estimated would cost a little over $310,000 including equipment. The presentation said the courts will allow the district to continue offering the sport after the city removed courts the district previously rented.

On a non-construction governance matter, the board voted to rejoin the Arizona School Boards Association for the 2026–27 fiscal year, accepting a 20% “welcome back” discount for the year and agreeing to review membership annually.

The board recorded votes for each motion during the meeting; the minutes show the board’s four recorded aye votes on the major motions noted above. The district will finalize budget forms and return to the board for any required revisions once all state allocations are confirmed.