Sunnyside voters approve $120 million Proposition 416; district outlines first priorities

Voters approved Sunnyside Unified School District's Proposition 416, a $120 million school bond, the district reported at its board meeting.

Carla Walters presented the election results and a project breakdown, saying the bond passed with about 58.87% yes votes and roughly 16.66% turnout. She described allocations on the ballot: about $58 million for construction, renovation and modernization across 21 schools (including significant work at Sunnyside High School), $10 million for critical safety and security improvements, $5 million for athletic and fine-arts facility upgrades, $43 million for structural/mechanical/plumbing/electrical/roofing replacements and upgrades, and $2 million each for classroom technology, furniture and equipment, and student transportation vehicles.

Walters said facility condition assessments identified roughly $128 million in needs (including an estimated $47 million specifically for Sunnyside High School) but the district asked for $120 million because it expects to supplement bond proceeds with other capital funding sources. The county canvass and reporting to the Arizona Department of Education are complete.

Next steps will include prioritizing projects in the capital-improvement plan, staging bond sales to match project cashflow needs, and seeking favorable ratings to minimize interest costs. Walters said the district can begin selling bonds this fiscal year and will return to the board with a resolution to authorize sales when appropriate.

Board members thanked community volunteers and employee groups for the campaign and emphasized that bond dollars are capital-only and do not pay for district operations or staffing.