PIMA — U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., got a first-hand look Monday at what will benefit from his work on the House Appropriations Committee.
Local leaders hosted Ciscomani for a tour of the site of the new Pima High School, currently under construction at U.S. Highway 70 and 200 South.
Ciscomani was able to get $1 million included in the House Appropriations bill for a road that will connect the highway to the new school. He was also able to include $1.9 million for the Town of Duncan to resurface Main and High streets, and $1.2 million for Graham County for water line upgrades at the Graham County Fairgrounds.
“It’s my job, I believe, as is one of my responsibilities to brings as much of those resources back into the district. Because everybody here pays those federal taxes and we want those federal dollars working for our communities,” Ciscomani said during an appearance on the Voice of the Valley radio show.
The current Pima High School opened to students in 1940 and is bursting at the seams. Pima School Superintendent Sean Rickert said the new high school has room for growth and will be able to accommodate up to 500 students in the classrooms. He also added there is currently a waitlist for students to attend all levels of Pima schools through open enrollment.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Rickert said he expects, at full build-out, for the development cost nearly $40 million. And with the state providing about $26 million, that means the district has to find partnerships — notably the Town of Pima — to fill in the gaps.
“They’re also helping us with grants for the sewer system,” Rickert said. “This campus is going to put a strain on the existing sewer, and so that creates an opportunity to expand the town’s sewer system. So it’s a great synergy that we have going on, between the town and the school district.”
The school district also learned Monday it has been awarded a $200,000 grant from United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties to help with development of the new high school’s sports stadium.
The new high school sits on 44 acres of land, with 5 acres set aside for agricultural education.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
