arizona school district contemplating new capital projects

The second largest public school district in Arizona with an enrollment of more than 45,000 students is thinking about building two new schools.

Officials with the Chandler Unified School District in south central Arizona have conducted a series of public meetings designed to get input on the possibility of adding both a new high school and elementary school to the district.

The Chandler district encompasses the cities of Chandler and Gilbert, as well as the town of Queen Creek.

Both of the schools would go up on the south side of the city of Gilbert, where population and enrollment growth in recent years has been the most dramatic.

If the district decides to go ahead with building the new facilities, funding would likely come from two sources: the State of Arizona, and through a bond election.

Voters in the district have previously proved receptive to such ballot measures, approving in late 2015 a $192 million bond designed to fund a variety of capital projects.

As currently proposed, the new high school would be built to accommodate a smaller enrollment than the district’s other existing five high schools, three of which have more than 3,000 students.

If the Governing Board of the district votes in favor of approving the construction of either or both of the new schools, the bond election will most likely be held this fall.
Altogether, the Chandler district is made up of 25 elementary schools and four high schools.

By Garry Boulard

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