The Vail School District is holding a town hall Tuesday to discuss a new high school scheduled to open there in 2012.
The future of the high school has come into question since the district's attempt to get a 15 percent maintenance and operations override failed last week.
In a letter to parents, district superintendent Calvin Baker said the override's failure raises the question of whether plans to build a new high school south of the Pima County Fairgrounds should be delayed or abandoned.
He noted that the new high school is needed as enrollment exceeds the designated capacities of Cienega and Empire high schools by a combined 500 students. Cienega can hold up to 1,650 students but is currently 400 students over capacity. Empire has a capacity of 750, but currently has 850 students enrolled.
Construction on the school is scheduled to begin in the spring to open for the 2012-13 school year. Now, though, the district may not have sufficient funding to hire enough staff, Baker said in the letter.
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"The unpleasant reality is that it may be necessary to stuff new student growth into existing classrooms and campuses at Cienega and Empire," Baker wrote.
Another piece to take into consideration, Baker said, is that the state would provide funding for the project, which could provide needed jobs and economic stimulus to the area.
It is possible that if the construction is delayed, funding could be at risk.
Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry also will be on hand at the meeting to provide information and ask for input about the location of the proposed new Vail community center.
The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m at Cienega High School, 12775 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way. Anyone who plans to attend should RSVP to vailcoming@gmail.com
Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.
