Kelly, Gallego Celebrate Over $8 Million Grant to Fix Up Yuma Elementary School

Today, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego announced that Yuma Elementary School District One has been awarded an $8,030,235 grant to build a new school facility for James D. Price Elementary School. The current building has leaks in various classroom ceilings, a loud buzzing rooftop air conditioner, and it also lacks a cafeteria.

"Military families deserve good schools where kids can learn and be set up for success. This grant will fix critical infrastructure needs at James D. Price Elementary School, so that students from kindergarten to fifth grade can finally have the classrooms and resources they need," said Kelly.

"Military children deserve a safe place to go to school and learn - not one that is crumbling. I fought to secure this funding because students deserve safe classrooms, teachers deserve the resources to do their jobs - things they should have already had all along," said Gallego. "Rebuilding this school isn't just about fixing walls and roofs, it's about investing in the future of our kids and strengthening this community for years to come."

"For many years, the James D. Price Elementary community at Yuma Proving Ground has anticipated the construction of a new facility. Yuma School District One is proud to announce that this long-awaited vision is now becoming a reality," said Dawn Marie with the James D. Price Elementary School. "The new, modern school will represent far more than a construction project-it will be a significant investment in the future of our students and a testament to the enduring strength of our community. The new facility will embody the resilience of our students, the dedication of our educators, and the steadfast support of our community, serving as a lasting source of pride and opportunity for generations to come. Thanks to this funding and the tireless efforts from Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, our students at Price will finally have the learning environment they deserve and our teachers will have the resources to do their jobs effectively."

James D. Price Elementary School is a K-5 public school located at the Yuma Proving Grounds (YPG), a military testing installation about 25 miles outside the city of Yuma, AZ. It is a public school through Yuma School District One.

The new school will have a kitchen to prepare hot lunches as well as a larger auditorium for indoor structured activities and dedicated art and music rooms. The school will also have a more modern layout to improve security and the overall student experience. Over 125 military students, who live near the base or whose parents commute to it, will attend the new school.