San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Provides $2.6 Million Grant for Four New Classrooms
Ft. Thomas, Ariz. – February 18, 2025 – The San Carlos Apache Tribe is excited to announce a $2.6 million grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to fund the expansion of Mt. Turnbull Elementary School at the foothills of Mt. Turnbull in Bylas, Ariz.
“I am very thankful that we can jointly help expand classrooms thus expanding the learning opportunities for our children. God bless the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians,” said Chairman Terry Rambler, San Carlos Apache Tribe. “We began our relationship with San Manuel during a time of crisis when they donated towards the recovery efforts following the Watch Fire. This new grant is an investment in our future.”
The transformative project will support the completion of four new classrooms allowing the school to welcome more students and families. It is critical for students and families to have access to education on the reservation near their homes. With limited capacity at Mt. Turnbull Elementary, the alternative for some students is to commute 45 minutes one-way to other schools.
The grant, facilitated through a collaboration between the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and Ft. Thomas Unified School District, underscores a shared commitment to education and community development. The San Carlos Apache Tribe/Mt. Turnbull Elementary School Classroom Construction Project is rooted in the belief that every child deserves access to quality education within their community.
“This project represents a significant step forward in our mission to serve the educational needs of our community,” said Shane Hawkins, Superintendent of Ft. Thomas Unified School District. “We are grateful for the partnership with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the San Carlos Apache Tribe in making this vision a reality. This grant funding allows us to meet the growing demand for accessible education while strengthening the community ties that define our district. We are excited for the addition of four classrooms and the opportunities this will provide to our students and families."
“We are inspired by the collective commitment to provide quality education for children of the San Carlos Apache Tribe,” said Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. “Education is fundamental for the future of our peoples and our youth deserve accessible spaces to learn and grow.”
Construction of Mt. Turnbull Elementary began in 2010 in accordance with a multi-year masterplan to include classrooms, a gymnasium, and teacher housing units. The additional classrooms will allow the school to enhance educational services for the Bylas community. Construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2026.
About the San Carlos Apache Tribe
Established in 1871, The San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation spans across Gila, Graham, and Pinal Counties in Southeastern Arizona. Encompassing 1.8 acres, and home over 17,000 tribal members. The tribe's mission is to increase the health and well-being of the San Carlos Apache Tribe by promoting educational and healthy lifestyles, delivering the highest quality services while continuously embracing our history and strengthening pride in our cultural identity.
The Apache people have deep spiritual and cultural ties to the natural world, where everything has both a purpose and a spirit that carry on throughout the Apache universe. The San Carlos Apache trace their history to time immemorial having established a homeland in what is now Arizona and New Mexico.
About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally-recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California. San Manuel exercises its inherent sovereign right of self-governance and provides essential services for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services, and promoting social, economic and cultural development. As the Indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys, mountains and high deserts, the Serrano people of San Manuel have called this area home since time immemorial and are committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region. For more information, visit http://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov
About Fort Thomas Unified School District
“For 115 years, Fort Thomas Unified School District has proudly served the communities of Fort Thomas and Bylas, Arizona. The district operates four schools, with 92% of students being members of San Carlos Apache Tribe. Guided by its mission to "Empower Students, Ensure the Future," Fort Thomas Unified School District is dedicated to fostering a culturally enriching environment that supports academic achievement, personal growth, and respect for Native heritage.”
San Manuel Cares Funding Initiative Collaborators (Picture L-R): Shane Hawkins FTUSD Superintendent, Alberto Jasso, Director of Philanthropy SMBMI, Melisa Castro, Program Officer SMBMI, Isabella Newman, 2023-2024 Miss San Carlos Apache, Martha Talkalai FTUSD Mt. Turnbull Elementary Principal, Chrissa DesRosiers-Hinton, SCAT Grant Writer