[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6641428,"mediaKeyId","5575128-44e6aa30d8711064655d0185572a013c","parentId",5575128,"title","Sunnyside reports 13,555 students on day 10; buses, food services and custodial teams note start-of-year strains and initiatives","audioSeconds",5909,"startMs",411000,"endMs",6320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575128-44e6aa30d8711064655d0185572a013c&start=411&end=6320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575128-44e6aa30d8711064655d0185572a013c/thumbnail_411000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6641428/Arizona/Sunnyside-reports-13555-students-on-day-10-buses-food-services-and-custodial-teams-note-start-of-year-strains-and-initiatives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641428-38ad10465b2fe99dcf28127ec5b54dde/orig.mp4?Expires=1775048111&Signature=gtBB0rtlpPODet~FFKwaVPqQHHmV7oQbc0SylUTSQZhUV6y7Q3c2myeIhCNa0Ln00tLqQ~nlGSaxWr4Knb5MhIDzjjKTE6LYDgk~8QpYbwyBE0iow0DtRBFBZIKhkcWM~RxzcQlprohHC3QhZC5Jg5OaV1JlBJ~uOI25pUFFWe71mQ9a4ZM8NFMYXPTKxr29H7P~PZn4qepWg-lziVgXimbIxVR7I~reeG2QxS2QsB~td2~iUN3TVPB2nyL9zcnITgTj0vtf~JzxhT9Qc2Of98a7lY9FCvz5nrJ39XZnTQTyBsWKrtW0Gs3nyWezrknGMkkzMPQMXMAqfzmFeEFF~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sunnyside Unified District (4407)","date","2025-06-04T21:26:15Z","article","Sunnyside Unified District staff told the governing board the new school year opened with about 13,555 students on the district’s day-10 PowerSchool snapshot and enumerated operational issues and early-year initiatives.

Superintendent and operations staff reported the district’s preK–12 students began classes on July 30 and that October-day-10 is the district’s most accurate enrollment snapshot because PowerSchool drops students who miss ten consecutive days. Staff said the district’s overall headcount is down by roughly 43 students from the end of the previous school year; preschool counts include many children not eligible for state average daily membership (ADM) counts.

Facilities and custodial: Staff praised custodial teams and said a district training for custodians will cover safety topics including slip hazards. Operations staff acknowledged ongoing HVAC spot issues across multiple sites; most classrooms are air-conditioned and vendors have been responsive to work orders, but age and parts availability make perfect performance difficult. A portable air chiller trailer is serving Desert View High School while the district pursues a permanent replacement (see related item on JOC authorization).

Transportation: The district operates about 90 school buses, and staff said they have three vacant bus mechanic positions and one certified lead mechanic currently on staff. Staff described frequent, short-term bus outages and AC problems on some buses during hot weather; mechanics worked overtime to restore service and the district expected delivery of two new buses within days of the meeting. The district continues to discuss alternatives for fleet replacement, citing the high upfront costs and infrastructure needs for electric buses and noting propane as a potential interim option because it requires less new infrastructure.

Food services and nutrition: John Oakley, director of food services, reported a smooth start for meal service and said the district participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) so all students receive free breakfast and lunch districtwide. Oakley described equipment reinvestments over the summer, a new faculty line at several campuses to encourage staff meals, and planned grill-based meal offerings at middle schools starting soon. The district also hosted a back-to-school event where UnitedHealthcare and the Sunnyside Foundation donated 500 backpacks.

Safety and student services: The district’s security and health offices are still filling open roles; Ryan Powell, security director, and the nurse manager were reported to be providing flexible coverage while vacancies are filled. Student services staff described heat-index precautions taken during the first ten days of school, including reducing or eliminating outdoor recess on extreme days and adjusting athletic practices to avoid midday heat.

Staff and board members said they would continue monitoring class sizes and balancing enrollment across sites as site principals perform seat counts during the early days of school. Several board members thanked staff for the opening-of-school work and asked staff to return with additional staffing and compensation analyses (particularly for mechanics) at a future meeting.

No separate action was required for this report; staff said they will continue to update the board through routine reports.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Governing Board Meeting - August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District staff told the board the school year began smoothly overall with 13,555 enrolled, but described ongoing issues: HVAC spot problems across sites, a portable chiller at Desert View, about 90 buses with AC and mechanical issues, three vacant mechanic positions and expanded food service initiatives.","taxTitle","Sunnyside Unified District (4407), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",13629,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6641433,"Demographic study: Sunnyside enrollment largely flat but projects 474 fewer high school students over seven years",2879,2127000,5006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575128-44e6aa30d8711064655d0185572a013c&start=2127&end=5006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575128-44e6aa30d8711064655d0185572a013c/thumbnail_2127000.jpg","/articles/6641433/Arizona/Demographic-study-Sunnyside-enrollment-largely-flat-but-projects-474-fewer-high-school-students-over-seven-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641433-f1005da1149eddf4a13fb18bc8cccfb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775048111&Signature=Zr2UO21ZWsooT8djDNqY7enlGVg2QeNeUDY06b-ifjlqRLot286RV-vsJ~m3hevjIJeAApogivq6zOEIxe85FWs-UtJYBagflhBRj-niyuboi7~CLXhN2~INUU8yRPhVueEfO0NW1RGMcWL6fdojgY5nO1wpIOPnJF79TbhlPzdqk975FZxDUOGSey1NHPGFWGUU5~a4pU37x68ykBMi9LMMazr7n6aED0ObJp-E9RjcWWLrzOUQRzB6MNNK7zQKMHyZkGv6ct-Bn7cCzc5w1myKHwS8anFlhqmNGWm-9JYjQhRaDKwwqPb461uesOp6s0PQ039EpsvivysHzAQqcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MGT Impact Solutions presented a seven-year demographic forecast for Sunnyside Unified District that projects relatively stable districtwide enrollment but a notable decline at the high school level.

David Cates of MGT told the governing board the firm used three primary factors in its projection—birth-year (kindergarten) cohorts, student mobility within established neighborhoods, and residential development yields—and ran forecasts for 295 small study areas across the district. The district’s October 10th snapshot shows total enrollment at about 13,555 students (preK–12), and MGT’s model combines historical October snapshots, local development data and student residence mapping.

MGT estimated that recent residential development in the district will generate students at a rate of roughly 0.546 K–12 students per new single-family unit (about 55 students per 100 single-family units). The firm reported approximately 368 known single-family units in the pipeline for the district and said it will update the inventory to include newly announced apartment projects the board identified during the presentation.

The forecast shows little net change for preK–6 and 7–8, but projects a decline of about 474 students in grades 9–12 across the district over the next seven years. Cates said the decline is driven by smaller birth cohorts feeding into the system and that the pattern is not unique to Sunnyside: “I don’t mean to say losing kids is a good thing. It’s definitely not. But it’s not as bad as I would have thought, compared to what I’ve seen for a lot of other districts,” he told the board.

Board members asked about out-of-district students (MGT reported roughly 1,808 out-of-district students enrolled in Sunnyside schools as of the last snapshot) and capture rates; Cates said the kindergarten capture rate by ZIP-code analysis has been around 39–40 percent. The presentation included attendance matrices that cross-tabulate where students live, which schools they attend and school capacities; MGT found some pockets of growth (notably in parts of the north) and some zones nearing capacity, such as Craycroft and Elvira, where staff said they will continue to monitor enrollment patterns and the impact of new housing.

Cates told the board he will provide an updated forecast after the district’s next October snapshot and after a refreshed sweep of city and county planning data for recently permitted residential projects. Board members encouraged district staff to consider marketing and program strategies—career academies, fine arts, athletics and specialty programs—if the district wants to increase capture and stabilize high school enrollment.

The presentation was informational; there was no board action required. MGT will provide a refreshed forecast later in the fall and will work with district staff on program-level analyses if requested.","A 7-year demographic forecast by MGT Impact Solutions shows relatively stable districtwide enrollment but predicts a 9–12 decline of about 474 students by 2031; staff will update the study and examine recruitment and program options.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6641437,"Sunnyside board authorizes up to $3.5M job-order contract to replace Desert View cooling system",1561,4990000,6551000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575128-44e6aa30d8711064655d0185572a013c&start=4990&end=6551","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575128-44e6aa30d8711064655d0185572a013c/thumbnail_4990000.jpg","/articles/6641437/Arizona/Sunnyside-board-authorizes-up-to-35M-job-order-contract-to-replace-Desert-View-cooling-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641437-f0ca36b2d536bfb680fe8af1ddc8e6ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1775048111&Signature=g5jBX~gTflP12-7be1ZI8LZfpaM-J6PPAfOKBIPlbXIuneQHalQv~mhv85xCqdJZIMWhqYWxX-B1BwuMQvCL2G5QmCI5P-nabj86Za6sUv6D7USUeCwn2DqlzSc7tJxoL5MsCPH955T8JRrR0Jng8FyR4mAhIbnKIe43gvI5Uz~R46mIMPS2b0y8M-N-nQbXr3Q6tXF~Qq~rc1YH2GBfzrML2PbdW97YQXU4EMjAtVRBQJlKAcuw4-CiiozbK8lc4tVdNhw-VKHmcaiKmn6wC0i6jCRnDuOfStfLwbj734i-60qFDTUOydMPXP-3qNOqOPCVNzm2FQFvHqDySgv19w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sunnyside Unified District governing board voted to authorize the use of the job order contracting (JOC) procurement process for up to $3,500,000 to replace the failed cooling system at Desert View High School.

Board President Leticia Quintero and other members approved the measure by roll call after staff described a multi-month replacement timeline and interim measures to keep the school cooled. The board’s action authorizes administrators to obtain expedited contractor quotes from prequalified vendors under the JOC process rather than use the longer standard competitive procurement timeline.

The authority for the district to pursue JOC for this project was presented by Dr. April Morado, who told the board the school’s permanent system had deteriorated and that the district had installed a temporary portable air chiller on a flatbed trailer to keep classrooms near normal temperatures. “We cannot run any school without proper air conditioning,” Dr. Morado said, describing the situation as a health-and-safety priority. She said the rental unit has kept classrooms at roughly 71 to 73 degrees but that rental equipment and technician support are expensive and not a long-term solution.

Carla Walter, speaking for the district procurement team, explained why the board was asked to exceed the $1,000,000 limit in district policy DJE and use JOC to accelerate delivery. Walter said the normal procurement process would add about two months to a vendor’s 8-to-10-month equipment and installation timeline, and that using JOC would allow the district to obtain and evaluate three quotes from cooperative-approved contractors more quickly.

Staff estimated the replacement scope could include new cooling towers, compressors, electrical work and controls, and placed a working budget estimate near $3.5 million. Verigee (vendor name in preliminary work) had previously provided a contractor’s estimate; district staff emphasized that final cost and warranty terms will come from detailed design specifications and the competitive quotes the district will solicit. The district also plans to pursue state funding through the School Facilities Board (SFB); Dr. Morado said the SFB approved rental support in two-month increments while the district seeks longer-term funding. The SFB has roughly $200 million allocated statewide for facility projects, staff said, and the district will submit an application while proceeding with local procurement options.

During discussion board members asked about timeline, warranties and potential reimbursement. Walter told the board the SFB typically requires plans and specifications and will not reimburse the district for work already contracted; in practice the SFB approved the initial rental assistance immediately but evaluates major capital funding requests on the formal application. Dr. Morado said Verigee had told the district that, if ordered today, a permanent replacement could take eight to ten months to be delivered and installed.

The board motion authorizing JOC up to $3,500,000 passed on a roll call vote: Bustamante — Aye; Hernandez — Aye; Jaramillo — Aye; Rodriguez — Aye; Quintero — Aye. Staff said they will return with contract recommendations, warranty specifics and a timeline for completion and will continue to apply to the SFB for possible funding.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Authorize utilization of the job order contracting (JOC) process for the HVAC/cooling tower replacement project at Desert View High School, exceeding the district DJE $1,000,000 limit; authorized amount: $3,500,000. Outcome: Approved (roll call: Bustamante Aye; Hernandez Aye; Jaramillo Aye; Rodriguez Aye; Quintero Aye).","The Sunnyside Unified District governing board approved using the job order contracting process to fast-track replacement of a failed cooling system at Desert View High School, authorizing up to $3.5 million and directing staff to pursue state funding while the school runs on a rented air chiller.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sunnyside reports 13,555 students on day 10; buses, food services and custodial teams note start-of-year strains and initiatives

Demographic study: Sunnyside enrollment largely flat but projects 474 fewer high school students over seven years

Sunnyside board authorizes up to $3.5M job-order contract to replace Desert View cooling system