Board approves budget for 2012-13

The budget for 2012-13 totals $563,410,419, a decrease of $21.8 million from the previous year. The budget reflects:

• a $2.8 million decrease in state funding caused by the five-year phase out of the Career Ladder Program, resulting in a 25 percent reduction in Career Ladder funding
• a loss of 533 students enrolled in 2011-12, upon which the 2012-13 budget is based 
• $2.45 million for a new reading improvement program for kindergarten through third grade 
• $1.8 million in savings due to closing Mesa Junior High and repurposing Brimhall Junior High as part of the continued focus to right size the district and help balance the budget 
• legislatively mandated reductions in the normal capital outlay funding formulas exceeding $17.5 million 
• decreases in federal and state grants of $9.2 million, primarily the result of the loss of remaining temporary federal stimulus grants 
• a 2.2 percent salary increase and education movement on the salary schedule for eligible teachers
• a 2.0 percent salary increase for support staff, supervisors and administrators
• a 3.6 percent increase in the district’s contribution to the Arizona State Retirement System
• the continuation of free full-day kindergarten without state funding for a third year
• increases in special education funding due to a rise in eligible students and special education bus monitors

The district can revise the adopted budget anytime before May 15, 2013.