Marana Unified board signs letter opposing current draft of Pima JTED special bond, citing centralization concerns
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Summary
The Marana Unified School District governing board voted to sign a letter opposing the current draft of a potential Pima County JTED special bond, saying the draft would centralize career and technical education funding and reduce access for students at satellite campuses.
The Marana Unified School District governing board on Nov. 18 voted to sign a letter expressing formal opposition to the current draft of a potential Pima County Joint Technical Education District (Pima JTED) special bond election under consideration for November 2026.
Superintendent Streeter and board members told the meeting that member districts have raised concerns that the draft bond would prioritize funding for central‑campus projects over satellite programs. "One of the main concerns that member districts have is the percentage of dollars being allocated to central campus programs, really prioritizing 80 to 85% of funds for central campus programs that are currently accessed by 8% of the JTED students," a district speaker said during discussion. Board members said that structure could reduce access for students who rely on programs located on their home campuses.
Board members emphasized the district’s support for strong career and technical education while making clear their disagreement with the bond’s current draft language. "This is to express our opposition to the current draft plans for the Pima JTED proposed bond election, but this perspective should not be misconstrued as opposition to the goal of robust career and technical education for our shared students," Superintendent Streeter said.
During discussion several board members referenced the history and intent of the JTED effort — saying the original purpose was to support satellite programs across a large service area rather than concentrate programs at a single central campus. One board member pointed to plans that would close an existing campus and build another farther from northern Tucson students, arguing that the change would reduce accessibility for some districts.
The governing board moved, seconded and approved a motion to sign the opposition letter by voice vote. The board directed the superintendent and board president to send the signed letter to the Pima JTED board and administration. The transcript records the board’s concerns and the motion to object to the current draft; no representatives from Pima JTED were present in this meeting to respond to those claims.