MUSD leaders set $70 million bond election for Nov. 5

Maricopa Unified School District leaders called for Nov. 5 election, asking voters to approve a $70 million bond proposal that could help build two new schools and give Maricopa High School its first upgrade in 25 years.

MUSD spokesperson Mishell Terry said on July 10 the board will meet to decide on the specific areas the bond will support.

“At that time, we will be able to share exactly what will be on the ballot,” Terry said.

With board president Robert Downey absent, the board led by vice president Patti Coutre’ approved setting the bond election Wednesday night. Board members opted for the middle-ground dollar amount of $70 million over two other proposals totaling $50 million and $89 million, respectively.

New schools are an “easy sell,” said board member Torri Anderson, who is not running for re-election in November after 15 years of MUSD service.

Selling the bond issue for two new schools and a school upgrade would focus on voters ages 50 and older, who a far less likely to have kids in school, board members agreed.

“We plan to reach the 50 and older voters through a broad set of communication efforts that include informational mailers, community meetings, and other outreach efforts,” Terry said. “We’ll emphasize that the bond will not increase the tax rate and highlight the need to accommodate dramatic growth in enrollment. We are fortunate to have key advocates within this demographic to help share accurate information and support the initiative.

The district has already surveyed voters, finding that 68% favor a bond issue.

The survey found career and technical education facilities received respondents’ greatest support, with school safety projects and school buses the second and third most supported.

Then, in order of support, came workforce development facilities, classroom expansion for MHS, building a new middle school, expansion of the transportation fleet, school renovations and building a new elementary school were also ranked as important.

Athletic competition facilities for Desert Sunrise High School and energy efficiency projects ranked at the bottom of the list. New practice fields at DSHS ranked last.

Asked if MUSD should keep up with growth, 51.3 percent of those surveyed strongly agreed. The survey found 65.5 strongly agreed that student safety was important.

No tax increase preference supported in the survey.

Board members agreed it was important to show voters that the tax rate would not increase with bond issue approval.

Coutre’ and Anderson said the state School Facilities Board did not provide adequate funding for local schools. Consequently, much of the funding burden falls on the school district, which is tasked with keeping up with Maricopa’s booming growth.

Peg Chapados, a former Maricopa city councilwoman who served six years, voiced support for the bond election when she went before the school board Wednesday night.

This post MUSD leaders set $70 million bond election for Nov. 5 appeared first on InMaricopa .