Chandler schools OKs budget despite federal funding questions

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

In the course of presenting the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board its final budget and tax rates July 9, CUSD’s chief financial officer addressed quantities and what the district is doing as some federal dollars haven’t been released.

Lana Berry, the CFO, presented many details of the district’s final $394.1 million budget for 2025-26, including the $18.7 million the district receives in various federal program funding.

Chandler’s annual district budget isn’t as dependent on federal funding, as a fraction of its operating budget, as many Arizona districts. But about $1.3 million in funding that would go to Chandler Unified is being withheld by the federal government, Berry said.

Those funds are spread between Title 1-C, Title 2, Title 3 and Title 4 federal programs.
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., are demanding President Donald Trump immediately release more Titthan $118 million in frozen grant funding for Arizona schools.

The Trump administration is withholding nearly $7 billion in funds, nationwide, that Congress approved before he was in office.

The education funds were due to the states by July 1, as required by law.

Berry, speaking at a meeting taking place the day CUSD teachers and many administrators reported to campus for the start of the school year, said there’s no reason for any Chandler Unified staff to be concerned their 2025-26 position is in jeopardy.

She said CUSD will use reserves to make payroll if necessary to fund all or part of that $1 million in federal-program salaries and benefits.

District students start the 2025-26 school year on Wednesday, July 16.

“About $1 million of that $1.3 million is tied up in salaries and benefits,” Berry said. “We will continue doing business as we always have. We have contracts signed that people (CUSD staff) are locked into. They’re in.”

Berry said the district will continue to press its state-level agencies for answers.

“We will let the federal and state governments work out the details on that,” Berry said. “We’ve only received a few pieces of information.”

Berry said the limbo and talk of reserves justifies why she and other school district finance directors are always bringing up that topic.

“That’s why it’s so important to have reserves — to get through the year and then adjust as you plan the next year’s budget,” Berry said.

Berry said there might be some one-time expenditures that district administration decided to delay temporarily, unless those are deemed essential to make a particular program or school operation “successful.” But all everyday expenses, including payroll, will be covered.

Berry also addressed some Arizona legislature funding nuances that have yet to be worked out in detail, including one involving reduced-price and free school meals. Berry assured

CUSD Board Vice President Barb Mozdzen that even with the district starting school among the earliest in the state, contingency plans are being made to ensure students will be able to eat at school starting July 16.

The board approved the budget unanimously, just as it did June 25 when a preliminary $393.3 million budget was on the agenda.

The $394.1 million total is about $16 million less than CUSD’s initial 2024-25 budget, which ends June 30.

The district’s per-student funded items are based on an enrollment formula figure that’s about 850 students fewer than the total used for 2024-25.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.   Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.

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.