Fountain Hills superintendent announces $500,000 school safety grant, new donations and library and planetarium plans

The Fountain Hills Unified School District superintendent announced the district had been awarded a $500,000 school safety grant and reported other recent funding and facilities updates.

Dr. Jay told the board the safety grant will cover previously budgeted camera purchases, freeing general capital funds for other uses. The superintendent said the district has also secured other grants and donations in the past year that he estimated total about $1,400,000 in additional funding. “That is $500,000 coming in,” he said about the safety grant, and noted the grant writer who helped secure the award will serve as the grant manager.

On facilities, Dr. Jay said library construction with Core Construction is underway and that staff are targeting an early February opening. He also announced a $75,000 donation from Peter Conte toward a school planetarium and described it as an uncommon feature for a public school. “Peter Conte… donated $75,000 for the planetarium,” Dr. Jay said, adding the district sees the planetarium as a unique instructional asset.

Board members and staff also described marketing and enrollment efforts, including a new marketing website and flyers to promote open seats in district schools. Dr. Jay said the district is using a new marquee at McDowell Mountain and updating signage at other sites. He encouraged continued outreach to improve student retention and enrollment.

The board did not take separate action on the announcements beyond informational updates; questions focused on timing for library work and how grant funds will be tracked and managed.