Chandler school board OKs budget revision

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

The Chandler Unified School District governing board spent an hour talking about a budget revision during its Dec. 10 governing, the lone item to generate much interest on a sparse agenda.

The board voted 4-1 to approve a state-required mid-year budget expenditure revision, with board member Kurt Rohrs voting against it. He’s unconvinced money allocated for some career and technical education programs is being put to good use if students only take one or two semesters or levels of a pathway program.

“I’m opposed, because I do believe funds put in the CTE are actually general education funds, and should be put in there,” Rohrs said. “I think it’s a misappropriation.”

Rohrs contends a 22% completion rate of a culinary program is an example of how students are using East Valley Institute of Technology and other Chandler CTE courses as electives because so few students end up completing those programs.

CUSD Chief Financial Officer Lana Berry, who made a presentation on the revision, said she disagrees that funds are being misused, in that many students start down pathway programs as part of discovering which career field they want to enter.

Superintendent Frank Narducci said not only are large public districts hanging their hats on offering a variety of course options, but it’s better for students to learn if a field is a good fit for them while in high school, rather than at an expensive college or university.

Rohrs contends districts that use EVIT funds for career programs don’t need to carry over such high balances from year to year. Berry and Narducci both said the district has vast capital needs for its CTE programs, which often require more and modern spaces or new hardware or software.

Board President Patti Serrano asked Berry if CTE spending is part of annual audits. Berry said yes, and there haven’t been any audit opinions modified because of a CTE finding during her tenure.

“Our culinary program needs a much more modern kitchen,” Narducci said. “Those things cost money.”

Watch Berry’s entire presentation by clicking here.

The vote on the action item and the comments made then begin later in the meeting, at about the 1-hour, 24-minute mark.

Jason W. Brooks can be reached at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as those meet our  Civility Guidelines.

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.