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Board approves resolution to split $33 million School Facilities grant for phased K–8 projects
Summary
The governing board approved a resolution to divide the district's School Facilities grant into two portions, allocating 72,000 square feet to the immediate K–8 project and reserving roughly 24,670 square feet of grant funding for a future K–8 contingent on growth triggers.
The Maricopa Unified School District governing board on Feb. 26 approved a resolution to request that the School Facilities Oversight Board divide the districts current grant into two portions, allowing the district to allocate funding and square footage to a phased K–8 construction plan.
Chief Financial Officer Harmon said the district's grant totals about $33,000,000 and would be split so the first portion covers approximately 72,000 square feet within a 96,000–97,000-square-foot K–8 project; the balance, about 24,670 square feet, would be reserved for a future project, likely a sister K–8. "The first portion, 72,000 square feet, and we will still build a K–8 that's 97,000 square feet, 72 of which will be from the grant. The rest will be bond funded in K–5 space," Harmon said.
Harmon said the second portion would remain contingent on enrollment growth triggers; if growth slows the district said it would not move forward with the second portion until triggers are met. "The second portion will be contingent on growth," Harmon said. "If our growth slows down, then that will not be approved until we hit those triggers. We don't need to build if we don't hit those triggers."
Board members asked whether the grant could be rescinded; Harmon said the division would allow the first portion to be approved now while the second portion remains contingent. A motion to approve the resolution passed by unanimous roll-call: Shontay Rothschild, yes; Ben Owens, yes; Caroline Lopez, yes; Patty Cutray, yes; Robert Downey, yes.
The board did not specify exact timelines for construction in the meeting minutes; Harmon said the district remained on track to meet relevant deadlines as of the meeting date.
