A construction worker directs an HVAC unit on the roof of Blenman Elementary School in Tucson, Ariz., on Friday, July 12, 2024.
Trucks rolled into Blenman Elementary school before sunrise last Friday, carrying the first of 34 HVAC units supplied to TUSD schools through a $480 million bond that voters passed last fall.
Blenman is the first of dozens of Tucson Unified Schools getting new air conditioning units this summer as part of the historic voter-approved investment.
Tucson Unified School District’s Bond Manager Dr. Charlotte Carter says it was the first bond approved in 20 years, and HVAC improvements were an important priority of the funding.
“It’s so important for the community to be behind schools, and we’re thankful that this money is going to be available to support schools,” she said. “You have to be in a setting that’s conducive to learning and having the air temperature correct is super important for teachers as well.”
In addition to the air conditioning systems, the first round of funding will pay for marquis signs, parking lot improvements, student technology and AED installations in classrooms, according to the bond project’s website.
The HVAC improvements are expected to be completed in October, and TUSD schools will continue to fund projects through this bond for the next 10 years.
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