Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tonto Basin board approves 2026–27 budget with 22% average teacher pay increase
Summary
The Tonto Basin Elementary District Governing Board on June 8 approved a 2026–27 budget based on 62.5 ADM, projecting about $300,000 in carryover and an M&O contingency of roughly $149,000; the plan raises average teacher pay by about 22% and was passed unanimously.
The Tonto Basin Elementary District Governing Board approved the district's 2026–27 proposed budget at its June 8 meeting, adopting a plan the administration said is built on a roll-forward of the current 62.5 average daily membership (ADM).
Board Member Wendy Neil moved to approve the budget; Board Member Shawna Morris seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously to adopt it. The budget projects a carryover of about $300,000 and an M&O contingency of approximately $149,000.
Superintendent-level reporting provided rough figures supporting the proposal: the district's encumbrance period runs through the end of August, which staff said will refine the final carryover. The budget includes a roughly 22% increase in average teacher salary for 2026–27 and four signed teacher contracts for the coming year; the district plans to staff classrooms in KG/1, 2/3, 4/5 and 6/7/8 configurations.
According to the superintendent's report, some facility needs remain estimates rather than executed projects: new parking-lot lighting (four solar poles) carries an estimated cost of about $15,000, and additional striping and surface fixes were noted as pending prioritization once the new maintenance and grounds hire is in place.
Board members and staff emphasized that the $300,000 figure is provisional until encumbrances are finalized. The board did not discuss any amendments to the budget during the meeting; the motion carried with all members voting in favor.
Next steps noted by the board include the end of the encumbrance period in late August, after which staff will present final figures and proceed with implementation of staffing and capital priorities as funding allows.
