Page 8 - Killip Yearbook Updated

VOTERS
APPROVE
BOND FUNDS FOR
THE BEST KEPT
EDUCATIONAL
SECRET IN
FLAGSTAFF
With the approval of Propositions 423 and 424,
which will provide a $75 million bond and 15 percent
property tax renewal, Flagstaff Unified School District
will prioritize its plans before moving forward with
the projects authorized by this newfound funding.
“We’re humbled and appreciative of all the support
we’ve received from our families, our communities,”
said FUSD Superintendent Michael Penca. “Every
day we see all kinds of support for our schools… and we’re excited to get to work,” he added.
[but] this was above and beyond.”
4 5
The two propositions passed with 60 and 63 percent
yes votes, respectively. Penca attributes some of
the support to this year’s statewide Red for Ed
movement, which he says increased awareness in
educational funding throughout the state, including
in northern Arizona.
“We appreciate the investment and the trust that
our community has demonstrated in this election
Although significant prework was put into these
proposals already, the district intends to collaborate “[We are] trying to project where our long-term
needs are so that we’re prepared to support where
with the school board and Bond Oversight Committee
before diving into any major projects. Many of the growth is happening,” Penca said. “At those oldest
district’s specific plans, like the elementary school
sites, there is room to replace the school on the
that will be replaced, are to be decided at upcoming
meets the needs.”
prioritization meetings with these two groups in late property…we just have to determine if that best
November and December. Story Courtesy of: Arizona Daily Sun
These meetings will establish the timeline
for the approved renovation projects.
Penca expects securing permits, bidding
on the work to be completed and starting
to sell bonds will all occur early next year,
renovations to Mount Elden Middle School
with the most time-sensitive project — the
— beginning summer 2019 at the earliest,
followed by the implementation of the one-
to-one technology initiative (one device for
each student) for the upcoming school year.
Replacement of an entire elementary school is
a major undertaking that is not scheduled to
begin for at least another year. In the H2 Group’s
investigation of FUSD properties earlier this year,
Kinsey and Killip Elementary Schools, two of the
district’s oldest buildings, were recommended
for full replacement, a more cost-effective
approach than renovation -- $36.2 million
for a new building rather than $9.5 million in
renovations to last only a few years.