Board calls election on $25 million bond, approves 4 Peaks question and a slate of governance actions

The Fountain Hills Unified School District governing board voted Wednesday to call a November election to authorize up to $25,000,000 in bonds with a 15-year repayment period and separately approved placing the district’s 4 Peaks building on that ballot for possible sale, lease or exchange.

The board’s 3–2 votes reflected deep community debate earlier in the meeting, with supporters saying immediate capital work is needed and opponents urging more time to rebuild public trust and to avoid a non-election-year bond drive. Superintendent Kane Jagadinsky framed the bond as a response to facility needs identified in an independent assessment and a way to avoid larger costs later: “The buildings will not fix themselves,” he said during the discussion.

Votes at a glance
- Bond authorization: motion to call an election for a $25,000,000 bond with a 15-year payback — passed 3–2.
- 4 Peaks building: motion to place sale/lease/exchange authorization on the ballot — passed 3–2.
- Vacant district land: motion not to place on the ballot — passed (unanimous).
- McDowell Mountain building: motion not to place on the ballot — passed (unanimous).
- DAA capital override: motion not to place on the ballot — passed (majority).

Other formal actions
The board approved a number of routine governance and personnel motions during the same meeting. Key outcomes included appointment of the district representative to the Arizona School Retirement Trust, ratification of auxiliary operations fund procedures, approval of certified evaluators and authorized bank signers, and authorization for specified administrators to issue short-term suspensions. The board also approved hiring steps for a district behavior analyst and agreed to contract issuance for that position.

Financial votes and abstentions were notable. Board member Madison Reed abstained on payroll vouchers pending access to itemized invoices; payroll vouchers were then approved with Reed’s abstention. Accounts payable vouchers were approved with two abstentions.

Personnel outcomes
The board accepted a certified resignation and voted 3–2 to waive a $500 contractual penalty related to that resignation. The board also moved to terminate a coach based on an AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association) matter; the termination motion carried with recorded abstentions. Superintendent Kane Jagadinsky told the board the district had submitted corrective-action material to the AIA and that the association had deferred its ruling pending the board’s action.

What’s next
Approving the bond authorization authorizes the district to put the question to voters; it does not obligate the board to immediately issue bonds. If voters approve the bond in November, the district would follow state processes before selling bonds. For the 4 Peaks property, a voter authorization would give the district 20 years to sell, lease or exchange the site if and when the board determines it appropriate. The board scheduled follow-up items and indicated additional budget meetings this month.