Maricopa USD superintendent announces $50,000 9th-grade success grant and near-complete bleacher projects at Desert Sunrise

At the Jan. 8 Maricopa Unified School District board meeting, the superintendent reported that the district was awarded a 9th-grade success grant worth $50,000 to support professional development at Maricopa High School.

Superintendent Lupman said the funding will allow teachers and administrators to attend training this spring to improve instruction, student engagement and academic achievement. "This funding will allow our teachers and administrators to attend training this spring and supports our efforts to improve instruction, student engagement and academic achievement," Lupman said.

Lupman also updated the board on facilities work at Desert Sunrise High School. He said two major bleacher projects are nearly complete: additional bleacher seating for the football field and new bleachers for the baseball and softball fields where none existed previously. Lupman said nearly 7,000 square feet of concrete has been poured and bleacher assembly has begun; staff expect installations to be finished in time for spring sports and for graduation in May at Desert Sunrise.

The superintendent recognized two schools for second-quarter attendance and presented each with a certificate and $250 to support attendance strategies; Pima Butte Elementary and Santa Rosa Elementary were named. Lupman also noted that three board members had been sworn in earlier that evening: Carolyn Lopez continued her service, Ben Owens returned as a board member and Shontay Rothschild was sworn in as a new governing board member.

Lupman closed his report by thanking board leadership and district staff.