2005 Arizona Revised Statutes - Revised Statutes §15-905  School district budgets; notice; adoption; aggregate budget limit; summary; adjustments; definition

A. Not later than July 5 of each year or no later than the publication of notice of the public hearing and board meeting as required by this section, the governing board of each school district shall prepare and furnish to the superintendent of public instruction and the county school superintendent, unless waived by the county school superintendent, a proposed budget in electronic format for the budget year, which shall contain the information and be in the form as provided by the department of education. The proposed budget shall include the following:

1. The total amount of revenues from all sources that was necessary to meet the school district's budget for the current year.

2. The total amount of revenues by source that will be necessary to meet the proposed budget of the school district, excluding property taxes. The governing board shall prepare the proposed budget and a summary of the proposed budget. Both documents shall be kept on file at the school district office and shall be made available to the public upon request. The auditor general in conjunction with the department of education shall prescribe the form of the summary of the proposed budget for use by governing boards. School district governing boards may include in the proposed budget any items or amounts which are authorized by legislation filed with the secretary of state and which will become effective during the budget year. If subsequent events prevent the legislation from becoming effective, school district governing boards must reduce their budgets by the amounts budgeted pursuant to the legislation which did not become effective.

B. The governing board of each school district shall prepare a notice fixing a time not later than July 15 and designating a public place within each school district at which a public hearing and board meeting shall be held. The governing board shall present the proposed budget for consideration of the residents and the taxpayers of the school district at such hearing and meeting.

C. The governing board of each school district shall publish or mail, prior to the hearing and meeting, a copy of the proposed budget or the summary of the proposed budget and, in addition, a notice of the public hearing and board meeting no later than ten days prior to the meeting. The proposed budget and the summary of the proposed budget shall contain the percentage of increase or decrease in each budget category of the proposed budget as compared to each category of the budget for the current year. Notification shall be either by publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the school district in which the size of the newspaper print shall be at least eight-point type, by electronic transmission of the information to the department of education for posting on the department's web site or by mailing the information to each household in the school district. The cost of publication, web site posting or mailing shall be a charge against the school district. The publisher's affidavit of publication shall be filed by the governing board with the superintendent of public instruction within thirty days after publication. If the budget or proposed budget and notice are posted on a web site maintained by the department of education or mailed, the board shall file an affidavit with the superintendent of public instruction within thirty days after the mailing or the date that the information is posted on the web site. If a truth in taxation notice and hearing is required under section 15-905.01, the governing board may combine the notice and hearing under this section with the truth in taxation notice and hearing.

D. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the governing board shall hold the public hearing and present the proposed budget to the persons attending the hearing. Upon request of any person, the governing board shall explain the budget, and any resident or taxpayer of the school district may protest the inclusion of any item. A governing board member who has a substantial interest, as defined in section 38-502, in a specific item in the school district budget shall refrain from voting on the specific item. A governing board member may without creating a conflict of interest participate in adoption of a final budget even though the member may have substantial interest in specific items included in the budget.

E. Immediately following the public hearing the president shall call to order the governing board meeting for the purpose of adopting the budget. The governing board shall adopt the budget which shall not exceed the general budget limit, the unrestricted capital budget limit or the soft capital allocation limit, making such deductions as it sees fit but making no additions to the proposed budget total for maintenance and operations or capital outlay, and shall enter the budget as adopted in its minutes. Not later than July 18, the budget as finally adopted shall be filed by the governing board with the county school superintendent who shall immediately transmit a copy to the board of supervisors. Not later than July 18, the budget as finally adopted shall be submitted electronically to the superintendent of public instruction. On or before October 30, the superintendent of public instruction shall review the budget and notify the governing board if the budget is in excess of the general budget limit, the unrestricted capital budget limit or the soft capital allocation limit. If the governing board receives notification that the budget is in excess of the general budget limit, the unrestricted capital budget limit or the soft capital allocation limit by fewer than one thousand dollars, the governing board shall adjust the budget and expenditures so as not to exceed the general budget limit, the unrestricted capital budget limit or the soft capital allocation limit for the current year. If the governing board receives notification that the budget is in excess of the general budget limit, the unrestricted capital budget limit or the soft capital allocation limit by one thousand dollars or more, it shall on or before December 15, after it gives notice and holds a public meeting in a similar manner as provided in subsections C and D of this section, adopt a revised budget for the current year which shall not exceed the general budget limit, the unrestricted capital budget limit or the soft capital allocation limit. On or before December 18, the governing board shall file the revised budget which it adopts with the county school superintendent who shall immediately transmit a copy to the board of supervisors. Not later than December 18, the budget as revised shall be submitted electronically to the superintendent of public instruction. School districts that are subject to section 15-914.01 are not required to send a copy of revised budgets to the county school superintendent. Procedures for adjusting expenditures or revising the budget shall be as prescribed in the uniform system of financial records.

F. The governing board of each school district may budget for expenditures within the school district budget as follows:

1. Amounts within the general budget limit, as provided in section 15-947, subsection C, may only be budgeted in the following sections of the budget:

(a) The maintenance and operation section.

(b) The capital outlay section.

2. Amounts within the unrestricted capital budget limit, as provided in section 15-947, subsection D, may only be budgeted in the unrestricted capital outlay subsection of the budget. Monies received pursuant to the unrestricted capital budget limit shall be placed in the unrestricted capital outlay fund. The monies in the fund are not subject to reversion.

3. The soft capital allocation limit, as provided in section 15-947, subsection E, may only be budgeted in the soft capital allocation subsection of the budget.

G. The governing board may authorize the expenditure of monies budgeted within the maintenance and operation section of the budget for any subsection within the section in excess of amounts specified in the adopted budget only by action taken at a public meeting of the governing board and if the expenditures for all subsections of the section do not exceed the amount budgeted as provided in this section. Until June 30, 1999, the governing board may authorize the expenditure of monies to exceed the budgeted expenditures of the capital outlay section of the budget only by action taken at a public meeting of the governing board and if monies are available in the reserve.

H. The aggregate budget limit is the sum of the following:

1. The general budget limit as determined in section 15-947 for the budget year.

2. The unrestricted capital budget limit as determined in section 15-947 for the budget year.

3. The soft capital allocation limit for the budget year as determined in section 15-947.

4. Federal assistance, excluding P.L. 81-874 monies.

I. School districts which overestimated tuition revenues as provided in section 15-947, subsection C, paragraph 2 shall adjust the general budget limit and expenditures based upon tuition revenues for attendance of nonresident pupils during the current fiscal year. School districts which underestimated tuition revenues may adjust their budgets prior to May 15 based upon tuition revenues for attendance of nonresident pupils during the current fiscal year. School districts which overestimated revenues as provided in section 15-947, subsection C, paragraph 2, subdivision (a), items (iii), (iv) and (v) and subdivision (d) shall adjust the general budget limit and expenditures based on actual revenues during the current fiscal year. School districts which underestimated such revenues may adjust their budgets before May 15 based on actual revenues during the current fiscal year. Procedures for completing adjustments shall be as prescribed in the uniform system of financial records. Not later than May 18, the budget as adjusted shall be submitted electronically to the superintendent of public instruction.

J. A common school district not within a high school district whose estimated tuition charge for high school pupils exceeds the actual tuition charge for high school pupils shall adjust the general budget limit and expenditures based on the actual tuition charge. Not later than May 18, the budget as adjusted shall be submitted electronically to the superintendent of public instruction. A common school district not within a high school district whose estimated tuition charge for high school pupils is less than the actual tuition charge for high school pupils may adjust its budget before May 15 based on the actual tuition charge. Procedures for completing adjustments shall be as prescribed in the uniform system of financial records. If the adjusted general budget limit requires an adjustment of state aid and if the adjustment to state aid is not made in the current year, the superintendent of public instruction shall adjust by August 15 of the succeeding fiscal year the apportionment of state aid to the school district to correct any overpayment or underpayment of state aid received during the current year.

K. The governing board may include P.L. 81-874 assistance allocated for children with disabilities, children with specific learning disabilities and children residing on Indian lands which is in addition to basic assistance when determining the general budget limit as prescribed in section 15-947, subsection C. The governing board may adjust before May 15 the budget for the current year based on any adjustments which result in increases over the amount estimated by the superintendent of public instruction for P.L. 81-874 assistance for such pupils for the fiscal year preceding the current year. The governing board shall adjust before May 15 the budget for the current year based on any adjustments which result in decreases in the amount estimated by the superintendent of public instruction for P.L. 81-874 assistance for such pupils for the fiscal year preceding the current year. Not later than May 18, the budget as adjusted shall be submitted electronically to the superintendent of public instruction. Procedures for complying with the provisions of this subsection shall be as prescribed in the uniform system of financial records.

L. The state board of education shall hold a hearing if expenditures by any school district exceed the general budget limit prescribed in section 15-947, subsection C, the unrestricted capital budget limit, the soft capital allocation limit prescribed in section 15-947, subsection E, the school plant fund limits prescribed in section 15-1102, subsection B, the maintenance and operation section of the budget or the capital outlay section of the budget. If the expenditures of any school district exceed these limits or sections of the budget without authorization as provided in section 15-907, the state board of education shall reduce the state aid for equalization assistance for education for the school district computed as provided in section 15-971 during the fiscal year subsequent to the fiscal year in which the excess expenditures were made by an amount equal to the excess expenditures, except that in case of hardship to the school district, the superintendent of public instruction may approve reductions partly in the first subsequent year and partly in the second subsequent year.

M. The governing board of a school district shall reduce the general budget limit, the unrestricted capital budget limit or the soft capital allocation limit, for the year subsequent to the year in which the expenditures were in excess of the applicable limit or section of the budget by the amount determined in subsection L of this section, except that in case of hardship to the school district, the superintendent of public instruction may approve reductions partly in the first subsequent year and partly in the second subsequent year. The reduction in the limit is applicable to each school district which has exceeded the general budget limit, the unrestricted capital budget limit, the soft capital allocation limit or a section of the budget even if the reduction exceeds the state aid for equalization assistance for education for the school district.

N. Except as provided in section 15-916, no expenditure shall be made by any school district for a purpose not included in the budget or in excess of the aggregate budget limit prescribed in this section, except that if no budget has been adopted, from July 1 to July 15 the governing board may make expenditures if the total of the expenditures does not exceed ten per cent of the prior year's aggregate budget limit. Any expenditures made from July 1 to July 15 and prior to the adoption of the budget shall be included in the total expenditures for the current year. No expenditure shall be made and no debt, obligation or liability shall be incurred or created in any year for any purpose itemized in the budget in excess of the amount specified for the item irrespective of whether the school district at any time has received or has on hand funds in excess of those required to meet the expenditures, debts, obligations and liabilities provided for under the budget except expenditures from cash controlled funds as defined by the uniform system of financial records and except as provided in section 15-907 and subsection G of this section. This subsection does not prohibit any school district from prepaying insurance premiums or magazine subscriptions, or from prepaying any item which is normally prepaid in order to procure the service or to receive a discounted price for the service, as prescribed by the uniform system of financial records.

O. The governing board of a school district which is classified as a heavily impacted school district having twenty per cent or more pupils pursuant to 20 United States Code section 238(d)1(A) may determine its eligibility to increase the amount that may be included in determining the general budget limit as provided in subsection K of this section and may increase the amount as follows:

1. For fiscal year 1988-1989:

(a) Multiply one thousand ninety-four dollars by the number of children with disabilities or children with specific learning disabilities, excluding children who also reside on Indian lands, reported to the division of impact aid, United States department of education in the district's application for fiscal year 1987-1988.

(b) Multiply five hundred forty-seven dollars by the number of children residing on Indian lands, excluding children who have disabilities or also have specific learning disabilities, reported to the division of impact aid, United States department of education in the district's application for fiscal year 1987-1988.

(c) Multiply one thousand nine hundred fourteen dollars by the number of children residing on Indian lands who have disabilities or also have specific learning disabilities reported to the division of impact aid, United States department of education in the district's application for fiscal year 1987-1988.

(d) Add the amounts determined in subdivisions (a) through (c).

(e) If the amount of P.L. 81-874 assistance as provided in subsection K of this section is less than the sum determined in subdivision (d) of this paragraph, the district is eligible to use the provisions of this subsection.

2. For budget years after 1988-1989, use the provisions of paragraph 1 of this subsection, but increase each dollar amount by the growth rate for that year as prescribed by law, subject to appropriation and use the number of children reported in the appropriate category for the current fiscal year.

3. If the district is eligible to use the provisions of this subsection, subtract the amount of P.L. 81-874 assistance determined in subsection K of this section from the sum determined in paragraph 1, subdivision (d) of this subsection. The difference is the increase in the amount that may be included in determining the general budget limit as provided in subsection K of this section, if including this amount does not increase the district's primary tax rate for the budget year. If the amount of P.L. 81-874 assistance determined in subsection K of this section is adjusted for the current year, the increase determined in this paragraph shall be recomputed using the adjusted amount and the recomputed increase shall be reported to the department of education by May 15 on a form prescribed by the department of education.

4. If a district uses the provisions of this subsection, the district is not required to adjust its budget for the current year based on adjustments in the estimated amount of P.L. 81-874 assistance as provided in subsection K of this section.

P. A school district, except for an accommodation school, which applies for P.L. 81-874 assistance during the current year may budget an amount for P.L. 81-874 administrative costs for the budget year. The amount budgeted for P.L. 81-874 administrative costs is exempt from the revenue control limit and may not exceed an amount determined for the budgeted year as follows:

1. Determine the minimum cost. The minimum cost for fiscal year 1990-1991 is two thousand three hundred forty-three dollars. For fiscal year 1991-1992 and thereafter, the minimum cost is the minimum cost for the prior year increased by the growth rate as prescribed by law, subject to appropriation.

2. Determine the hourly rate. The hourly rate for fiscal year 1990-1991 is nine dollars thirty-eight cents. For fiscal year 1991-1992 and thereafter, the hourly rate is the hourly rate for the prior year increased by the growth rate as prescribed by law, subject to appropriation.

3. Determine the P.L. 81-874 revenues available by subtracting the amount of P.L. 81-874 assistance used to increase the general budget limit as provided in subsections K and O of this section for the current fiscal year from the total amount of P.L. 81-874 revenues received in the current fiscal year.

4. Determine the total number of administrative hours as follows:

(a) Determine the sum of the following:

(i) 1.00 hours for each high impact pupil who is not disabled or does not have specific learning disabilities.

(ii) 1.25 hours for each high impact pupil who is disabled or has specific learning disabilities.

(iii) 0.25 hours for each low impact pupil who is not disabled or does not have specific learning disabilities.

(iv) 0.31 hours for each low impact pupil who is disabled or has specific learning disabilities.

(b) For the purposes of this paragraph:

(i) "High impact pupil" means a pupil who resides on Indian lands or a pupil who resides on federal property or in low rent housing and whose parent is employed on federal property or low rent housing property or is on active duty in uniformed service, as provided in P.L. 81-874, section 3(a) and as reported in the application for P.L. 81-874 assistance in the current year.

(ii) "Low impact pupil" means a pupil who resides on nonfederal property and has a parent who is employed on federal property or low rent housing property or is on active duty in a uniformed service or a pupil who resides on federal property or in low rent housing and who does not have a parent who is employed on federal property or low rent housing property or is on active duty in uniformed service, as provided in P.L. 81-874, section 3(b) and as reported in the application for P.L. 81-874 assistance in the current year.

5. Multiply the total number of administrative hours determined in paragraph 4 of this subsection by the hourly rate determined in paragraph 2 of this subsection.

6. Determine the greater of the minimum cost determined in paragraph 1 of this subsection or the product determined in paragraph 5 of this subsection.

7. Add to the amount determined in paragraph 6 of this subsection the amount, if any, to be expended by the school district in the budget year through an intergovernmental agreement with other school districts or the department of education to provide P.L. 81-874 technical assistance to participating districts.

8. Determine the lesser of the amount determined in paragraph 7 of this subsection or the revenues available as determined in paragraph 3 of this subsection.

9. The amount determined in paragraph 8 of this subsection is the maximum amount which may be budgeted for P.L. 81-874 administrative costs for the budget year as provided in this subsection.

10. If the governing board underestimated the amount that may be budgeted for P.L. 81-874 administrative costs for the current year, the board may adjust the general budget limit and the budget before May 15. If the governing board overestimated the amount that may be budgeted for P.L. 81-874 administrative costs for the current year, the board shall adjust the general budget limit and the budget before May 15.

Q. If a school district governing board has adopted a budget for a fiscal year based on forms and instructions provided by the auditor general and the department of education for that fiscal year and if, as a result of the enactment or nonenactment of proposed legislation after May 1 of the previous fiscal year, the budget is based on incorrect limits, does not include items authorized by law or does not otherwise conform with law, the governing board may revise its budget at a public hearing on or before September 15 to conform with the law. Not later than September 18, the budget as adjusted shall be submitted electronically to the superintendent of public instruction. If the governing board does not revise the budget on or before September 15 and if the budget includes any items not authorized by law or if the budget exceeds any limits, the governing board shall adjust or revise the budget as provided in subsection E of this section.

R. For the purposes of this section, "P.L. 81-874 assistance" means, for the current year, an amount equal to the final determination of P.L. 81-874 assistance for the fiscal year preceding the current year as confirmed by the division of impact aid, United States department of education or, if a final determination has not been made, the amount estimated by the superintendent of public instruction as confirmed by the division of impact aid, United States department of education and, for the budget year, an amount equal to the determination of P.L. 81-874 assistance for the fiscal year preceding the budget year as estimated by the superintendent of public instruction.