InMaricopa
Robert Downey is sworn in as the fifth member of the Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board by Judge Lyle Riggs as Downey s wife, Jane, looks on. Photo by Jay Taylor
The Maricopa Unified School District returned to full strength Wednesday night as Robert Downey was sworn in as the board’s fifth member by Judge Lyle Riggs.
Downey fills the seat vacated in September by longtime member Patti Coutre, who resigned to take an administrative position with the district. His term runs through Dec. 31, 2022, completing Coutre’s term.
Downey said he is looking forward to beginning the work of helping students in Maricopa reach their potential.
InMaricopa
A permit was issued to Desert Cedars Equities for construction of
Exceptional Healthcare’s 20,750-square-foot office building valued at $6.5 million at 19060 N. John Wayne Parkway. It will be built by BMH As-Built of Texas, a Dallas company specializing in medical, commercial and multi-unit residential construction. In addition, a permit was issued for a wet fire sprinkler.
Kroll Contractors will build a 5,400-square-foot, 8-bay automotive repair facility for
Brake Masters at 20400 N. John Wayne Pkwy., a project valued at $900,000. The project will be in Sonoran Creek Marketplace on lots 2 and 3. In addition, the company was granted a permit for $125,000 in tenant improvements.
InMaricopa
Students in the Maricopa Unified School District will be able to return the classroom on Monday.
But the situation is “volatile,” cautioned Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman, with the number of student and staff coronavirus cases at several district schools making it possible quarantine will force a short-term return to distance learning.
The Governing Board voted, 3-0, on Wednesday night to accept Lopeman’s recommendation to allow students opting for in-school learning to go back to class. Board member Torri Anderson did not attend the meeting.
Distance learning, for students and families who have opted for that mode of instruction, will continue through the end of the school year.
InMaricopa
Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman, seen at a September 2020 board meeting, said the district must seek a continuation of the budget override this year or begin to lose funding. Photo by Merenzi Young / Eye of Odin Studios
When voters in 2016 approved a 10% budget override for students in the Maricopa Unified School District, they had little idea just how vital the additional funding would become four years later.
Since its approval, the seven-year budget override has generated enough revenue to implement a number of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education.
Notably, it facilitated the hiring of new teachers that decreased elementary class sizes from the mid-30s to the mid-20s.
MUSD to host drive-in job fair Saturday
The Maricopa Unified School District is looking to hire new employees.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the district will host a Fifties-themed drive-in job fair at its administrative office, 44150 W. Maricopa/Casa Grande Highway.
Administrators will be on hand to discuss details of various positions and conduct interviews for projected openings for the 2021-2022 school year. Applicants are encouraged to bring current credentials such as a teaching certificate or fingerprint certification in addition to plenty of copies of their resume.
The event will feature a nostalgic 1950s theme featuring music of the era, John Wayne movies on the big screen and period decorations. Visitors will receive a goodie bag filled with Cracker Jack, MUSD merchandise and plenty of hand sanitizer.