Maricopa Unified School District voters passed a $70 million bond issue by a razor-thin 88-vote margin. Nearly 26,000 people voted. 

With 100% of the MUSD precincts reporting last night, news outlets and stakeholders could officially declare that Proposition 488 had won. 

In the end, there were 13,021 votes in favor, or 50.71%, to 12,933 against, 49.83%. In many states like Washington and Florida that require a 60-percent threshold to pass bond measures, such an issue would have failed. 

But here in Arizona, the bond issue will help finance construction of two new schools and expand MUSD’s two high schools. 

The bond issue was passing in Province, a Maricopa community for residents 55 and older, a voting segment that MUSD officials said they focused on educating about Prop 488. Province voters approved the measure with 2,291 affirmative votes, or 50.6%, to 2,236 votes in opposition, 49.4%. 

Maricopa Meadows voters, who live closest to Maricopa High School, opposed the bond proposal 53-47%. Tortosa, another residential population center of MUSD schools, rejected the bond proposal 51-49%. 

The bond issue also lost in Desert Cedars, Hidden Valley, Santa Rosa and Thunderbird Farms by substantial margins with smaller concentrations of voters. 

Rancho El Dorado and Alterra voters split 50-50 to approve and reject the bond issue. 

Maricopa Wells voters, however, helped pass the bond issue, but it was closely divided: 1,435 votes for, or 50.6%, to 1,399 votes against, or 49.4%. 

The new schools would serve students in kindergarten through eighth grade and include the site for the first school in the Sorrento community. The first new school is planned to be constructed for a July 2026 opening. The second school is now planned to open in July 2028. 

“Understanding that the results are preliminary, we are grateful to be part of a community that recognizes we’re in this together,” MUSD Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman told InMaricopa today. “Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote.” 

Yes for MUSD PAC Chairman Chad Whittle said this in a statement to InMaricopa today at 1 p.m.:

“As we await the certified results from Pinal County, we anticipate the passage of Prop 488. MUSD remains deeply committed to fiscal responsibility and transparency throughout this process. A community oversight committee will closely monitor the allocation of bond funds to ensure they are used strictly for the approved projects. While the margin of victory was narrow, this measure will enable the full construction of two new schools and the addition of classrooms at our high schools, addressing the rapid growth in our community. We are grateful for the support of our voters and remain dedicated to providing our students with safe, modern learning environments.”

The new space would create career and technical education space at Maricopa High School, which has not seen any campus upgrades in 25 years.  

MHS workforce development expansion would be planned for a July 2027 opening.  

The new Desert Sunrise High School classroom space is planned to open in July 2028. 

A committee of district representatives and community stakeholders will oversee the use of bond funds, providing regular updates to ensure transparency and accountability, should the result stand. 

While educating schoolchildren, MUSD leaders such as Lopeman pulled out all the stops in educating voters, creating a website and podcast for delivery bond issue facts, and talking to community groups and clubs as just part of the campaign’s community outreach. Community members formed a political action meeting to raise campaign advertising dollars.  

Selling the bond issue focused on voters ages 50 and older, who were far less likely to have kids in school, board members agreed. 

The district had already surveyed voters, finding that 68% favored the bond issue. An InMaricopa poll found similar results, 60% support. On Election Day, it became clear that opposition voters were under-polled — but the polling forecasted the correct result, even if by just seven dozen ballots.