TOPOCK, Ariz. – A public hearing was opened at Topock Elementary School in Topock Wednesday evening to discuss and approve the FY26-27 school year budget, but the council got comments throughout the meeting from the audience they may not have been expecting.
When the agenda item was read aloud, it was stated that the budget to be approved was for $1.4M. However, on the sheet made available to the public prior to the meeting, and as also pointed out by a member of the audience, the sheet stated the budget was $1.6M. The board did not offer an explanation for the difference, not even which amount they approved when they voted to adopt the budget.
Another attendee said the report, which was put online for the public to review only read, “error, error, error,” which was against the Arizona open-meeting rules which says the budget has to be posted 24 hours prior to the meeting to give the public a chance to review.
Dianna Francis, a Golden Shores resident and audience member who signed up to speak, asked the board, “Where are the missing computers, the missing books, the missing funds? She presented a challenge to Rick Dischinger, who had just been appointed to the board that very day by Mohave County Superintendent of Schools John Warren.
“Rick, I challenge you to find out where they are.”
Chuck Deshazer, another member of the audience who had signed up to speak, told the board they were spending $9,912 per student a year ago from property taxes before the new rate increase.
He also mentioned that the pre-K through 8th grade elementary school, with about 60 students enrolled, was spending $19,649 per student, after the property tax rate increase, while Mohave Valley School with 1000-1200 students spent $3927 per student in FY23-24 and $5291 in FY24-25 and Lake Havasu, with about 5200 students spent $8,052 in FY23-24 and $8200 in FY24-25.
“I don’t understand why you’re spending so much more,” Deshazer said.
When the public had spoken for or against the budget during the open hearing, Board President Joe Garner asked for a roll call to adopt the budget.
Audience member Joy Bancroft spoke up, “You should close the public hearing before a roll call to adopt the budget.”
Budget was approved.
The board retired into executive session to discuss consideration of employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, dismissal, salaries, and discipling. Upon reconvening, agenda item was approved without further discussion.
Seven new Business Action Items were all approved. They were FY26 and FY27 Extra Duty Compensation, to appoint Taylor Bobo as Governing Board Secretary, approve FY26-27 Certified Teachers Contracts, approve 12-month Employee Contracts for FY26-27, approve Employee Work Agreements for FY26-27, approve FY26-27 Student Council Treasurers’/Fundraiser Activity List.
Next meeting, which is not available to watch online, will be 4 p.m. August 20, at the Topock Elementary School, 5073 Tule Drive in Topock.
