The Sahuarita Unified School District (SUSD) is currently seeking approval from voters for a $50 million bond that is slated for the upcoming November 7th ballot. The purpose of this bond, according to school officials, is to initiate a range of improvements and upgrades across all schools within the district. From ambitious projects such as the construction of a new performing arts theater to more routine renovations like flooring and painting, the leadership of the school district believes that this allocation of funds could potentially lead to what they term as a “total transformational change” for the district.

Here are the key details to consider regarding this bond proposal:

Allocation of Funds:

SUSD Superintendent Manny Valenzuela explained that community input, as well as input from internal stakeholders including staff, was taken into consideration to identify the most pressing needs. More than 700 recommendations were gathered as part of this process. The proposed bond would address seven primary areas: Technology enhancements, facility renovations, classroom improvements, upgrades to outdoor facilities, security enhancements, expansion of classroom space, and investments in furniture and equipment.

Notable Projects:

Among the various projects, one of the most substantial and costly is the construction of a 500-seat performing arts theater at Walden Grove High School. The intention is for this facility to be accessible to all schools in the district as well as the wider community. The estimated cost for this project is up to $11 million. Another high-budget initiative involves replacing synthetic turf at both of the district’s high schools. Superintendent Valenzuela noted that these facilities have reached the end of their expected lifespans and require replacement. The estimated cost for replacing the synthetic turf at Sahuarita High School is approximately $500,000 to $600,000, while the cost for Walden Grove High School’s turf replacement is projected to be around $1.3 million due to additional groundwork requirements.

Other Projects Covered by the Bond:

The bond also encompasses a range of smaller-scale projects, including the replacement of aging security cameras, expansion of classrooms at early childhood centers, enlargement of the NJROTC space, and adding new classrooms to Wrightson Ridge School, depending on the overall cost. District-wide endeavors with lower costs involve tasks such as replacing flooring, painting, weatherization efforts, classroom upgrades featuring electronic boards, enhancing instructional technology, implementing digital curriculums, and procuring furniture and fine arts equipment like musical instruments.

Previous Bonds:

In 2017, voters approved a $25 million bond that facilitated the construction of Wrightson Ridge School. Of this amount, $5 million was allocated for the removal of portable classrooms, while $20 million was directed towards the school’s construction. A $27 million bond was passed in 2009, which contributed to various projects including the construction of Walden Grove High School, improvements to facilities, and the creation of a swimming pool. Valenzuela mentioned that the district is actively managing the debt associated with these bonds and plans to pay off about $6 million of it by the year 2024. The total debt accumulated from all previous bond projects is anticipated to be cleared within the next 10 to 12 years.

Impact on Taxes:

It is asserted that due to factors such as the retirement of debt, refinancing of old debt, and population growth in Sahuarita, the bond’s passage is not expected to result in an increase in the school tax rate. The estimated average annual tax rate for the proposed bond authorization is projected to be $0.81 per $100 of net assessed valuation, specifically used for secondary property tax purposes.

Potential Outcomes:

Valenzuela indicated that if the bond fails to garner voter approval, the district’s focus on capital improvements would continue, though the comprehensive transformation they envision would be hindered. In the event of non-approval, the district would allocate its available resources towards addressing capital-related issues and facility improvements, albeit on a smaller scale. This would mean incremental changes without the potential for the significant transformation that the approved bond would enable.