Coach asks Apache Junction school board to reduce gym rental fees for youth 'Miners' program

At the Apache Junction Unified School District governing board meeting on June 10, 2025, coach John Connolly asked the board to reduce gym rental fees for the Apache Junction Miners, a nonprofit youth feeder program for Apache Junction High School.

Connolly told the board the Miners recently converted from an LLC to a 501(c)(3), now carry their own insurance and licenses, and serve roughly 60 to 80 children this year. "All the players minus 10 of the 80 are currently enrolled either at AJUSD or somewhere close by," he said. He described fundraising that paid for new uniforms and a new shooting machine for the high school program.

Connolly said the district's new rental rates make practices cost-prohibitive. He said the main gym rental is now $80 per hour, janitorial fees are $50 with a two-hour minimum, and that the weekly cost for the Miners' practice time comes to about $320 and roughly $2,500 per season. He asked that the board reduce or waive fees for the Miners because the program feeds players to the high school teams.

Superintendent Dr. Popolardo said staff would follow up. "I'm gonna have Ms. Verna follow up with him," Dr. Popolardo said after the comment period.

The Miners' request drew no additional public speakers during the comment period, and the board did not take formal action on the request at the meeting.

Background: Connolly said he has coached in the valley for 10 years and ran the Miners' program full operations in 2024. He said much of the equipment and uniform purchases were funded through the program's fundraising.

District next steps: District staff were asked to follow up with Connolly to discuss rental fees and next steps.

Ending: The board's formal business at the meeting proceeded to consent and action items after public comment.