Apache Junction school board approves agreement to plant 14 trees at Cactus Canyon Junior High

The Apache Junction Unified School District governing board voted unanimously on March 16 to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance to plant 14 drought‑resistant trees at Cactus Canyon Junior High.

Dr. Papilaro said Parks and Recreation had extra trees supplied by the Arizona Sustainability Alliance and worked with Cactus Canyon principal Michael Tallet to mark planting locations. "We got 14 trees to beautify the campus at Cactus Canyon," Dr. Papilaro said, and added the district would "do our very best to keep those trees alive in the heat."

Board members asked for clarification about dates in the agreement; Dr. Papilaro said some dates on the posted draft had already passed because the document awaited legal review and that the lawyer returned the agreement "last Monday or Sunday night" after staff provided additional documents. The Chair thanked Parks and Recreation for bringing the opportunity to the district.

A board member moved to approve the memorandum of understanding; the mover is not specified in the meeting record. Mrs. Ross seconded the motion. The board voted 3‑0 in favor, with Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Garcia and the Chair recorded as voting yes.

The agreement provides the school with 14 drought‑resistant trees to replace trees lost to wind damage; the MOU’s posted dates and the document’s effective dates were discussed during the meeting but specific effective dates were not recorded in the public segments reviewed. The board took no separate action on future agenda requests and adjourned following the vote.

The district will proceed with the planting in coordination with Parks and Recreation and the Arizona Sustainability Alliance; the MOU approval is the formal authorization recorded in the meeting minutes.