The J.O. Combs Unified School District Governing Board approved an agreement on Nov. 4 with Grand Canyon University. Under it, eligible district students could earn 16 college credits for free in a program that prepares them for work making computer chips. The district hopes to start the first class in spring 2027 at Apache Junction High School, mainly for seniors.

The program is called the Manufacturing Specialist Intensive. It lasts one semester. It has four classes worth four credits each, and the classes cover work skills, writing and speaking, math and the basics of manufacturing. Students who finish get 16 college credits from the university, a certificate and digital badges recognized by IEEE, a group for engineers. The district's agenda says the math and English classes may also count toward high school graduation, so students might not have to take two math and two English courses at the same time.

The program costs students nothing, and they do not have to work for TSMC. The university built it with TSMC Arizona, a computer chip maker. The district's agenda says students who finish can be considered for immediate hire at TSMC, starting at $21 to $23 an hour. The agreement says finishing does not guarantee a job with TSMC Arizona or anyone else, and TSMC is not a party to the agreement.

Where and When

Superintendent Toby Haugen told the board the program will start small at Apache Junction High School, because that school has room. The goal is 20 students in the first group. He said that for now, students will need to be ready to turn 18 by the time they graduate. The district's cost is mostly transportation to Apache Junction, about a 15-minute drive, he said. He hopes to offer some of the classes at Combs High School later, so students would not have to make that drive.

The agreement says the spring 2027 start depends on three things: the university approving the location, enough students signing up and instructors being available. The university controls the classes, the grades and the credit. Each student also signs a separate university agreement that lists what is expected of students who take part and who want to be considered for a job.

Families with questions can call the J.O. Combs district office at (480) 987-5300. The office is at 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley.