Agua Fria district gives update on campus bond projects

By Mary Goldmeer
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The Agua Fria Union High School District board received an update in August on campus construction projects with officials highlighting new cafeterias, classroom modernizations and ongoing work at multiple high schools.

The projects are part of a $197 million bond passed by voters in 2023.

During the presentation, the district’s director of facilities outlined expansions at Millennium High School, where the cafeteria is being enlarged from 7,800 square feet to 13,000 square feet. The kitchen space has also nearly tripled, growing from about 3,300 to 9,000 square feet.

The project is expected to be completed in December.

At Desert Edge High School, work recently was finished on a cafeteria expansion that added 1,500 square feet indoors and a 4,200-square-foot covered patio. LED lighting also was installed. A new agriculture barn on campus has been completed and is awaiting final approval from the fire marshal.

Board members also heard the long-planned concourse at Verrado High School is now complete and in use. Meanwhile, modernization plans at Agua Fria High School remain on track, with officials emphasizing that the project’s construction schedule will prevent the need for portable classrooms — a step they said will save the district several million dollars.

“Through their hard work with the architect and the contractor, they found a way to sequence the construction so we don’t have to immediately use portables,” said Tom Huffman, deputy superintendent of operations. “That will literally save a couple million dollars.”

Other campus work includes a new classroom building at Canyon View High School, expected to be open by the end of the month, and early groundwork at the site of the district’s planned sixth high school.

Technology improvements were also a focus over the summer. District officials said upgrades included bolstering back-end security and increasing network connectivity. 

The update comes as part of a larger slate of promised projects and critical needs the district has scheduled through 2027. The 2024 spring project list stated the district would work toward the following:

• Agua Fria High School: classroom modernization, Performing Arts Center improvements and cafeteria and gym upgrades.
• Canyon View High School: security upgrades and expanded parking.
• Desert Edge High School: cafeteria and restroom improvements, special education facilities.
• Millennium High School: modernization projects and Performing Arts Center improvements.
• Verrado High School: cafeteria and restroom improvements and Performing Arts Center repairs.
• Districtwide: the new Hilltop School for the Arts scheduled tp be going up in the summer 2025, plus ongoing workforce development programs.

District officials said additional construction updates will be provided throughout the year as projects move toward their target completion dates.

Visit aguafria.org for more information.