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Sunnyside renovates automotive shops, pursues electric‑vehicle training with $80,000 in partner support and vehicle donations
Summary
District and foundation partners described more than $80,000 in investments, facility renovations and industry partnerships to expand Sunnyside High School’s automotive program and add electric vehicle (EV) training. Donations cited included a 2021 Tesla and a recently pledged Ford F‑150 from a local dealership.
District leaders and the Sunnyside Foundation presented campus renovations and an expansion of the high school automotive program that will add electric‑vehicle training and refreshed shop facilities, the board heard.
CTE staff and foundation representatives said partners contributed more than $80,000 for equipment, curriculum and instructor training to kick-start EV instruction. "The donations received have allowed for the purchase of EV related tools, equipment, curriculum, and even instructor training," automotive instructor Mr. Ramirez said. Presenters also identified industry partners including Jim Click Automotive and the OSA/Foundation network.
School officials said Jim Click Automotive has donated a 2023 Ford F‑150 that the program will receive shortly, and the OSA Foundation provided a 2021 Tesla for hands‑on learning. The program’s fundraising partners named in the presentation included the Sunnyside Foundation, the Righthouse Family Foundation, the OSHA Foundation, and Tucson Electric Power, which conducted an in‑kind facility assessment and discussed future charging‑station support.
Facility work listed by district staff included interior and exterior painting, new ceiling tiles, privacy fencing, industry flooring, refinished/polished floors, landscaping and illuminated signage to make the shops more visible to the community. District staff said the work was funded through a mix of maintenance-and-operations and capital funds, with donor dollars used for program equipment.
CTE leaders said the program operates multiple class periods with strong industry connections, dual enrollment agreements and certification pathways. "I not only see a future automotive technician coming out of our program, I see electricians, engineers, and even programmers," Ramirez said, describing the career pathways the district expects students to pursue.
The district announced a ribbon cutting for the renovated auto area next week on Wednesday, April 16; two different start times were mentioned during the meeting (4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.), and staff said board members had been invited to attend. District officials said the public relations office will install branding inside the shops to highlight student work and program credentials.
Why it matters: The investment updates existing CTE infrastructure, introduces EV skills that align with industry demand and strengthens pipelines to local employers and postsecondary programs.
