Maricopa Unified proposes splitting state SFD 6-8 grant to build two K‑8 schools

Maricopa Unified School District staff on Feb. 12 outlined a plan to divide a state School Facilities Division (SFD) 6‑8 grant into two separate K‑8 projects and reallocate local bond funds to cover remaining work, with a district resolution scheduled for the board's Feb. 26 meeting and final approval required from the Arizona School Facilities Oversight Board.

The presentation by Mr. Harmon, the district staff member presenting facilities plans, said the originally recommended 6‑8 grant covered 96,670 square feet. The district's concept would allocate 72,000 square feet to one K‑8 and 24,670 square feet to a second K‑8, supplemented by bond funding to complete each campus. Harmon used a working construction-cost assumption of $450 per square foot (other scenarios at $455 and $475 per square foot were shown) and estimated total bond expenditures rising from roughly $58.3 million to about $65.6 million depending on cost escalation.

The nut of the plan is a reallocation of state grant and local bond funds rather than a reduction in total bond spending. Harmon told the board that using the current SFD index for modeling reduces the amount of supplemental bond funding required now and leaves capacity in bond proceeds to address future escalation and incidental costs. The district is also proceeding with a fully bond‑funded expansion project at Maricopa High School.

Board members asked whether the reallocation would change the local tax rate. Harmon replied that early bond‑sale projections in the voter pamphlet (three bond sales totaling $70 million) were designed to remain within the district's tax‑rate commitments and that recent county property valuations and work with the underwriter Stifel Nicholas would guide final timing. The board president reiterated a commitment not to increase the local tax rate.

Next steps described: a district resolution to divide the current SFD allocation (to be presented Feb. 26) and submittal to the Arizona School Facilities Oversight Board for final approval. Harmon said the district anticipates the oversight board's approval but that their sign‑off is required before funds are reallocated.

Details provided in the presentation include the 96,670 square‑foot grant, proposed splits of 72,000 and 24,670 square feet, construction‑cost model runs at $450–$475 per square foot, and illustrative bond expenditure estimates of roughly $58.3 million to $65.6 million depending on the per‑square‑foot cost used.

Board members and staff framed the plan as an effort to maximize state grant dollars while preserving the overall bond program. Harmon said the district will bring a formal resolution to the Feb. 26 meeting for board action and then seek oversight‑board approval.

The presentation did not include a board vote; the item was informational and a formal resolution was scheduled for a future meeting.