MARICOPA — The Maricopa Unified School District is considering seeking a boundary adjustment to add land in the city that is part of other school districts.
A portion of the land in the city’s boundaries falls within the Casa Grande Union High School District and Casa Grande Elementary School District in spite of being far closer to MUSD schools. Essentially, the proposed adjustment would bring the aforementioned area into the MUSD, providing students with access to nearby schools.
“This is about serving students where they live,” said Superintendent Tracey Lopeman in a press release. “As the population grows it makes sense to adjust boundaries so students who live in Maricopa go to a school in MUSD.”
The press release went on to break down the proposition, describing it as a minor boundary adjustment between the MUSD and Casa Grande school districts. The specifics of the arrangement are still pending though and will be decided between the three districts.
This would be no simple process under state law, as a boundary adjustment requires a petition signed by a majority of electors in the proposed area, approval from all the affected governing boards and a submission to the Arizona Department of Revenue and Pinal County. The MUSD reaffirmed its commitment to transparency throughout this process, pledging to provide updates to keep the community informed on the process.
The timeline for this process has already begun, with a MUSD Governing Board study session being held on April 23. The next event in the process is set for May 6 at 6 p.m., a community forum being held at the Maricopa Unified School District board room. This forum is designed as an opportunity for citizens to learn more about the proposed boundary adjustment, ask questions and provide feedback.
Following the forum, a board resolution to authorize a memorandum of understanding is up for a vote on May 14, and signatures would be gathered beginning on May 15. That would be followed by a resolution to approve the petition and authorize the minor boundary adjustment on a yet undetermined date.
All of this will have to be completed by Nov. 1, which is the deadline to submit the petition to the Arizona Department of Revenue and Pinal County for a proposed effective date in July 2026.
Anyone with questions is encouraged to attend the aforementioned community forum.