Maricopa Unified School District officials presented plans to expand the Maricopa High School workforce development project by renovating the school's historic Quonset-hut gym and adding an Ed Professions lab that would include a campus-based preschool. The board received the concept as a work study item and was told a guaranteed maximum price will be presented for approval after design is complete.

Mr. Harmon, who introduced the project scope, said the district had assembled contractors and architects and identified programs that would be served in the renovated space. Dr. Scott described the proposed ed professions classroom as "an amazing opportunity" that would provide aspiring educators with “structured, hands on experiences, mentorship, and co-teaching opportunities daily.” He added that offering campus-based childcare could help some district employees by lowering costs of care.

Presenters said the scope would require demolition of non-historic additions (locker-room areas) and asbestos remediation in the areas to be removed. They said the basic renovation would upgrade electrical, HVAC and plumbing systems, and add required fire suppression to make the gym safe and usable for school and community uses. Mr. Harmon told the board the demolition and remediation work could be funded with available bond funds and proceeds from a land sale, and that the district could scale the design to meet budget if some partnerships do not materialize.

Board members pressed presenters on operating costs and program logistics. Mr. Harmon and Dr. Scott said the existing Ed Professions program would continue to provide lab time and additionally benefit from an on-site lab at MHS; extra paraprofessional staffing needs might arise but the district expects to leverage CTE, Perkins and state priority funds so the program would be budget neutral. On safety, the team said the renovation would include fencing and design elements ensuring that classroom lab and childcare areas are secure from general access during school hours.

The presentation concluded with a timeline note: the district plans to return to the board in December with an item seeking approval to move forward in the formal procurement/design phase and eventually present a GMP.