The deadline to put a bond authorization on the November general election ballot is quickly nearing and members of Peoria Unified’s Bond Advisory Committee are finishing up on their recommendation to the governing board.
The committee has been considering a wide variety of district needs including facilities, transportation, technology, as well as new schools in the north where growth has led to overcrowding.
The governing board will receive a final report and recommendations on or before the second governing board meeting in May.
PUSD CFO Michelle Myers said although the district is funded by the state, Arizona law and the legislature allows public school districts to ask voters to approve bond authorizations through local property taxes.
Bond sale proceeds pay for construction projects, facility renovations and other eligible capital items, she said.
And the district is in dire need of new funds to pay for aging facilities and at least one new school.
Voters have not approved a bond for PUSD since 2012. It was a $180 million authorization that has been fully sold and final proceeds have been spent. Since then, population growth has left the district with bloated class sizes in the northern part of the district, in need of a new school with additional maintenance and technology needs throughout the district.
In the short term, or one to five years, the district has about $93 million in essential and critical facilities needs. In the long term, or about 15 years, the district has about $292 million in facilities needs.
Both figures, as well as following estimated figures, include a 10% inflation factor.
The following are needed items that could be funded with a new bond.
Updates:
• Restrooms - Minimum average is about $13 million and the maximum average is about $19.6 million
• Safety - $20 million
• Auditoriums – Performing Arts Centers - $11.7 million
New construction:
• Elementary school - $30 million
• High school - $125 million
• Land availability for high school construction - $32 million to $36 million
Other funding needs:
• Transportation - $15.6 million
• Technology, which includes new computers and networks - $35.3 million.
Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Philip Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.
Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater.
Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.
Peoria Unified School District,
Bond Advisory Committee,
recommendations,
governing board,
school funding,
new school,
technology,
buses,
transportation,
technology
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