The Tucson Unified School District building.
Officials for the Tucson Unified School District say new technology and better air conditioning are on the way for the start of the new school year thanks to a historic school bond approved by voters last year.
The $480 million was the first school bond to pass in the district in 20 years, according to Dr. Charlotte Carter, Bond Program Manager for TUSD.
“I am super excited that we have it now,” she said. “We have the opportunity to be transparent and accountable, and make sure that the community knows that we are executing these projects with fidelity, so we can continue to do bonds.”
The district announced this week that work is now underway on the first round of bond-funded projects.
According to a district press release, these include HVAC repairs, added safety equipment, new signage, and updated education technology.
“Having this particular bond is going to really make a difference in the community and with what's available for students,” Carter said.
Potential bond projects are prioritized based on the facility status, cost, and community input, Carter said. The district said 14 schools will receive air conditioning repairs as part of the first round of projects, and eight will receive digital marquee signs.
Money will also fund updated technology for students, such as Chromebooks and iPads, according to school officials.
Carter said this is part of the district’s long-term 1:1 technology goal.
“Where each student can have a device,” she said.
Automated External Defibrillator devices will also be added to 57 schools, “to improve survival rates in the event of cardiac emergencies,” the district wrote in a press release.
This year’s projects are expected to be completed in the fall, and the bond will continue to fund more projects in the district for 10 years.
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