Sunnyside voters to decide $120 million bond
Voters in the Sunnyside Unified School District will consider Proposition 416, a $120 million bond measure to fund construction, safety upgrades and facility improvements across all 21 district schools.
Voters in Tucson’s Sunnyside Unified School District will soon decide whether to approve a $120 million bond measure aimed at repairing and upgrading campuses across the south side.
Bond elections allow school districts to obtain funding for capital needs, including maintenance, renovations, transportation and instructional technology.
Proposition 416 would fund new construction, safety improvements and facility upgrades at all 21 district schools — from classrooms and arts spaces to buses and athletic fields. Supporters, including local officials and community leaders, say the investment is vital to providing safe, modern learning environments for Sunnyside students and educators.
The Sunnyside district includes 13 elementary schools, five middle schools and three high schools on Tucson’s south side.
Revenue and cost
The bond would provide $120 million to the school district over a maximum of 20 years.
For a homeowner with a property valued at $100,000, the estimated annual cost would be about $44, or roughly $3.67 per month.
What will it fund?
If approved by voters, the bond would fund:
- Construction, renovation and modernization of all 21 school sites and grounds, including Sunnyside High School building replacements
- Critical safety and security improvements
- Athletic and fine arts facility upgrades
- Replacement and upgrades of structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and roofing systems
- Classroom technology, furniture and equipment
- Student transportation vehicles
The Sunnyside governing board voted 4-1 in June to move forward with a special bond election, saying the proposal is about creating a safer environment for the district.
What happens if not approved?
If voters do not approve the bond, property tax rates will not change, and the district will have to rely on state funding to meet as many facility, safety, security, transportation and technology needs as possible. Many of the proposed projects would go unfunded.
What do supporters say?
Twenty-two letters of support were submitted for the proposition, with no letters in opposition. Support came from community members and local leaders, including Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva.
“Our students deserve to learn in schools that reflect the value we place on their education and well-being, and our educators deserve to teach in spaces that are safe, well-equipped and designed for 21st-century learning,” Grijalva wrote.
Brenda Granillo, president of the Sunnyside Foundation Board of Directors, shared similar thoughts, saying the district needs extra support to continue effectively and safely teaching students.
“Every day, we see the power of public education to transform lives, but we also see the growing need for safe, modern learning environments that match the excellence of our students and educators,” Granillo wrote. “Our students deserve more than just hope, they deserve action. Voting YES on Prop 416 is a vote for equity, for opportunity and for the future of our Sunnyside community.”
Roberto Jaramillo, a Sunnyside governing board member, wrote that he has dedicated much of his life to fighting for better education within the district and wants to continue those efforts. He believes the bond is the best way to achieve those goals.
“Throughout my life — as a public servant, community advocate and dedicated volunteer — I’ve worked to ensure every student in our district has access to safe, welcoming and high-quality learning environments,” Jaramillo wrote. “Prop 416 is an essential investment in that vision. It will allow us to make long-overdue improvements to our schools, strengthen campus security and expand opportunities for students to learn, grow and succeed.”
Mayor Romero wrote that strong schools form the foundation of strong communities, which is why she supports the proposition.
“Strong schools are the foundation of strong communities. They impact everything from strong, safe neighborhoods to workforce development and economic opportunity,” Romero wrote. “High-quality public schools improve opportunities for students and families. They raise our property values and strengthen our local economy.”
Voting
More information about the override can be found in the voter information pamphlet or on Sunnyside’s bond and override election website.
Emma LaPointe is a journalism, political science and German Studies major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at emma.m.lapointe@gmail.com.
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