Queen Creek Unified staff report progress on four construction projects, Mountain Trail Academy due this July

Bob Lawson, a district staff member presenting the construction update, told the board that all projects discussed are funded by the Arizona Department of Administration School Facilities Division and tied to the district’s growth and strategic plan.

Mountain Trail Academy, a new K–6 campus in the district’s northern region, is a 90,000-square-foot site the speaker said is the largest elementary award issued by the School Facilities Division to date. "The SFD purchased the land and is providing the funding to build this campus that is set to support over 1,100 students when completed," Lawson said. He reported exterior finishes are about 75% complete, tile is installed in classroom restrooms, administration drywall is complete, painting is underway, kitchen coolers and freezers are being installed, sidewalks are nearly done, and asphalt paving of the parking and drop-off loop is complete.

Lawson also outlined work at Eastmark High School, where the district is adding roughly 62,000 square feet of secondary space that includes a classroom building, a performing-arts classroom building and a gymnasium addition. He said the gym decking and roof coating work are underway, interior drywall installation is in progress, rooftop HVAC units are installed, and an extension of outdoor dining and bike racks is scheduled to begin over spring break.

At Chrisman High School, a 23-classroom addition is under construction. Lawson said interior wall framing and drywall installation are nearing completion, ductwork and utility piping are nearly finished, masonry for a concession stand is complete, and structural steel and roof trusses are being scheduled for installation. He noted Chrisman opened in 2022 and currently serves more than 2,000 students.

In the district’s middle region, Queen Creek High School is receiving a turf replacement. "The underground piping for the irrigation system is completed now," Lawson said, adding that trench work has been backfilled, an AB base is being installed, turf installation will begin in a couple of weeks and the turf will carry an eight-year warranty. He said final grading and the storm drain to the retention basin are nearly complete and the contractor and district continue to track an anticipated completion date of April 15, 2025.

Lawson closed by noting a new satellite transportation yard at Queen Creek Junior High School has kicked off and is expected to finish by July 2025. He invited questions; none were raised during the meeting and no formal board action was taken on the construction update.

The board’s update clarified funding and timelines but did not change scope or budget at the meeting. Future board materials or agenda items would be required to alter contracts, funding sources, or project scope.