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WestMEC seeks $415M bond, proposes Peoria campus to expand career-technical education
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Summary
WestMEC superintendent Scott Spurgeon presented a $415 million no-tax-rate-increase bond request (Prop 403) and property-sale authorization (Prop 406) to expand CTE capacity across West Maricopa County and proposed a 14-acre Peoria campus at 101 & Peoria Avenue contingent on bond approval.
Dr. Scott Spurgeon, superintendent of WestMEC, briefed the Peoria City Council Oct. 7 on two countywide propositions to expand career and technical education capacity across the West Valley.
Spurgeon described Proposition 403 as a $415 million bond issue that he characterized as a no-tax-rate-increase measure: the district would continue to collect the existing 13-cent per $200 assessed valuation rate while accessing new capacity tied to property-value growth. Proposition 406 would authorize sale of district-owned properties so proceeds could be reinvested into new facilities. Spurgeon said passage would fund eight priority projects countywide, including finishing the Southeast Campus, adding advanced manufacturing and welding capacity, and — if the Peoria lease-to-purchase arrangement is finalized — acquiring and developing 14 acres at the intersection of 101 and Peoria Avenue to host a new Peoria campus serving many nearby high schools.
He framed the bond as a capacity-building measure: WestMEC now certifies roughly 1,700–1,800 completers annually but said the bond-funded expansion could increase available openings to 3,500–4,000 per year and produce tens of thousands of trained workers over the life of bond repayment. Programs highlighted include advanced manufacturing for the semiconductor sector, welding, aviation maintenance, IT security and new AI/coding and biomedical-equipment technician programs. Spurgeon said WestMEC’s model pairs credentialing with employer partnerships; he cited program placement and credential totals and said the district produces a substantial economic impact in Maricopa County.
Councilors and the mayor praised WestMEC’s results and underscored workforce ties to regional investments (such as TSMC and Amcor). Spurgeon specifically requested council feedback on program needs and noted the Peoria land parcel had been leased with council support and would be purchased if the bond passes.
Next steps: WestMEC will continue outreach to voters across the county. The council took the presentation; no municipal appropriation was requested at the meeting.
