Board approves course catalogs, GCU teacher pathway and ADE robotics funding
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Summary
The Apache Junction board approved course catalogs for Cactus Canyon Junior High and Apache Junction High School for 2026–27, approved a Grand Canyon University RISE 360 MOU to support a fast-track teacher pathway, and accepted a $200,000 ADE one‑time grant to expand GenTech robotics programming.
At its Feb. 24 meeting the Apache Junction Unified School District governing board approved curriculum and program items including 2026–27 course catalogs and two STEM‑focused partnerships.
The board unanimously approved Cactus Canyon Junior High’s 2026–27 course catalog and the Apache Junction High School course catalog, noting restored electives and new Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings. Trustees praised expanded electives and a newly added 3U aviation/aerospace program at the high school that trustees asked the principal to report back on in April.
Miss Verna presented two information items that the board later approved as action items. First, she described a memorandum of understanding with Grand Canyon University called RISE 360, a scholarship pathway that helps students earn a teacher degree in under three years; the program includes a small scholarship (stated as $1,000 per year) to encourage graduates to return as educators in the district. The board voted 5 to 0 to approve the MOU.
Second, Miss Verna described an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Education to provide one-time funding to expand the district’s robotics/STEM offerings through GenTech. According to the presentation, ADE will pay GenTech directly and the program expansion is backed by a $200,000 discretionary allocation Champion Representative Blackman supported. The board discussed that the funds would not come from the district’s operating budget and approved the agreement 5 to 0.
Board members said the initiatives are intended to strengthen local pathways into teaching and STEM careers and to broaden students’ hands-on opportunities across elementary, junior high and high school campuses. Superintendent Papalardo noted the district’s partnership with GCU and thanked board members for their support of STEM initiatives.