Tucson Unified School District’s bond projects are being put into motion, more than five months after voters elected to approve the district’s bond issue.
First-phase projects include replacement of HVAC package units and Energy Monitoring and Control Systems (EMCS); installation of security fencing, gates, window film, and access controls; replacement of school marquees; parking lot pavement rehabilitation; repairs to high school fields and fine arts A/V equipment. Vendor quotes are being collected to begin work and place orders. These must be completed by or on May 31.
The highest-dollar priority project is HVAC Package Units for $11 million. That includes 461 units at 14 schools. The target completion if by Oct. 11, the end of the first quarter of the upcoming school year.
The district’s bond oversight committee approved this wave of projects at its April 18 meeting.
Tucson Unified has hired Charlotte Carter as its bond manager. Carter worked for Tulsa Public Schools for more than a decade. She executed two bond projects in Tulsa: one cashing in at $38 million, the other totaling $415 million.
Carter has been on the job at TUSD for five weeks. Carter told the board she and the bond team have “accomplished a lot in five weeks.”
The district plans to create an interactive “Bond Project Dashboard” and continue to maintain and update the current bond website (bond2023.tusd1.org).
Carter said software will aid the websites’ updates, but details are still being worked out.“
With the bond issue’s passing in November, TUSD has approval to issue and sell $480 million in General Obligation Bonds for school improvements.
