Tom Horne Superintendent | Arizona Department of Education
Horne, the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, criticized State Treasurer Yee's decision to deny a cash advance to the Nadaburg Unified School District, which he says affects about 1,500 students. Horne explained that his department’s Finance Division found Nadaburg is operating within its budget and projects a positive cash balance of $1.3 million by year-end.
He stated: “Our Finance Division did its research and determined that Nadaburg is operating within its budget, and by the end of the year they will have a projected positive cash balance of $1.3 million. Initially it was thought that they would have a negative cash balance at the end of the year, but the Department of Education, being a service institution, checked the forms and found the district made an unintentional clerical error that they can correct. In the meantime, the cash advance will ensure uninterrupted district operations through October while the error is being reconciled. If the Treasurer does not change her mind, the irresponsible failure to advance the funds will have a negative impact on the education of nearly 1,500 students. This should be our first priority.”
Horne also said: “The Treasurer could have done the same review because she has the necessary forms, which were provided to her by our office, and her office failed to follow up with us to determine why we approved the advance. The advance request was sent to the State Treasurer on August 22, 2025, over a month ago. At first, she denied that she had a role to play. We cited to her the relevant statute (A.R.S. 15-973(C)) showing that her approval was needed. The Treasurer reviewed the request multiple times between August 22 and September 5 but did nothing. Finally, she issued a denial on September 24, claiming the possibility of ‘financial mismanagement’ for which there was no evidence. I therefore call her to change your position and approve this proper cash advance.”
According to Horne's statement, school districts sometimes require short-term advances due to fluctuating income and expenses throughout their fiscal year; these advances are allowed as long as districts maintain a positive year-end balance and repay borrowed funds.
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