Sunnyside Unified board calls special election for $120 million bond

The Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board on a roll-call vote approved a resolution calling a special bond election asking voters to authorize $120,000,000 in bonds to address facility repairs, modernization and new construction needs.

Carla Walters, district staff, told the board that “School districts are statutorily required to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise capital dollars” and outlined the district's capital-needs assessment. Walters said the assessment identified roughly $81,000,000 in critical repairs and another $47,000,000 for new construction related to Sunnyside High School, for an overall estimated need of about $128,000,000.

The resolution requests $120 million, which Walters said would translate to an average secondary-tax increase of about $0.93 — roughly $93 annually (about $7.75 monthly) per $100,000 of assessed value. Walters told the board the district’s statutory bonding capacity was approximately $142,000,000 as of Sept. 1, 2025, and that the district would sell bonds in installments as funds are needed rather than all at once.

Board members who spoke in favor framed the measure as an opportunity for voters to decide whether to invest in school facilities. Board member Mr. Jaramillo said, “I think it's for our students … they deserve a safe and orderly place to do as a learning institution.” Other members noted aging buildings and the need to address mechanical, roofing and plumbing systems identified in the facility assessment.

Walters walked the board through the election timeline and administrative requirements: a July deadline to call the election, notices to be posted in August, a pro/con statement deadline of Aug. 8, proposed ballot language by Aug. 11, mailed voter information by Sept. 30, ballots mailed at least 26 days before the election (around Oct. 8) and a mail-in election with ballots due by 7 p.m. on election day, Nov. 4. She said the district had already complied with a 150‑day publication step required by a new statute and would coordinate with the Pima County School Superintendent and Pima County Elections Department.

The board approved the resolution by roll call: Mr. Bustamante — Aye; Ms. Hernandez — No (recorded during roll call with explanation for her vote); Mr. Jaramillo — Aye; Mr. Rodriguez — Aye; Mrs. Becky Quintero, Governing Board President — Aye. The motion’s mover and seconder were not specified in the recorded transcript.

Walters and the board discussed what the bond would and would not cover. Walters listed priorities including safety and security improvements, structural and mechanical upgrades, roofing, plumbing and electrical work, architectural and construction costs, and associated issuance expenses. She noted technology and transportation needs could be funded through the district’s override or other allocations, and said final bond language and project lists would be refined in the coming weeks.

Board members requested the opportunity to finalize project priorities and ballot language before the August deadlines. The board gave direction to proceed with the actions necessary to place the question before voters and to work with county election officials on required filings.

Votes and next steps from the meeting mean the bond question will appear on the November mail‑in ballot if the county processes and deadlines proceed as outlined. Specific project lists, itemized allocations and the precise tax estimate over the life of repayment will be contained in the voter materials and final bond documents to be published ahead of the election.