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West-Mac career academy seeks voter approval to expand: officials say $5.04 per $100,000 property tax impact equals roughly $55–$60 annually for most homeowners
Summary
West-Mac leaders presented a bond proposition to the Agua Fria board describing plans to add campuses and programs, double student capacity, and build near multiple high schools; presenters emphasized workforce pathways and a low per-household tax impact
West-Mac leadership addressed the Agua Fria Union High School District board Oct. 1 to present a proposed facility expansion funded by a bond proposition the presenters said would expand career and technical education across the West Valley.
The presenter representing West-Mac described the organization’s current footprint — five campuses serving juniors and seniors with career pathways that include welding, advanced manufacturing, IT security and healthcare — and outlined expansion plans keyed to a voter proposition expected this November. The speaker said current completers number roughly 1,700–1,900 per year and that expansion would allow the system to serve about 4,000 students annually. "Over the life of paying that bond off, we have 15 years. We've produced about 60,000 students," the presenter said.
The proposal described eight potential new campus locations across the West Valley and emphasized proximity to partner high schools to reduce transportation barriers for students. The presenter said the proposed bond would not increase the tax rate; instead, the levy was structured so the district could use growing property values to maintain the same payment level for most homeowners. The speaker gave an example: a homeowner with a $500,000 house would see a projected annual tax payment to West-Mac of about $55.90; another board member example showed $36.90 for a different home.
Planned program expansions listed in the presentation included additional CTE programs (plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration conversion to two-year programming, AI coding and automation robotics) as well as a proposed clean room for semiconductor training, expanded welding bays, and additional IT security and medical assisting pathways. The presenter described existing employer advisory councils driving curriculum decisions and said many programs lead directly to licensure or certification.
Board members and district leaders praised the outreach and stressed transportation and equitable access. One board member asked about transportation barriers; the presenter noted existing partnerships with districts that share driver costs and said more localized campuses would reduce travel distances for students.
Ending — West-Mac asked the community to support the upcoming bond proposition; presenters said the plan emphasizes workforce pipelines, partnerships with postsecondary institutions and employers, and a low per-household tax impact if approved.
