Bradley Simmons has been appointed as the new County Engineer for Cochise County, effective April 13, according to an announcement by the county on April 14.
Simmons will oversee engineering functions that support infrastructure, development, and long-term planning efforts. The appointment is seen as important for ensuring reliable services and responsible management of county resources.
Director of Public Works Jason Faccio said, “Bradley brings a strong skill set and a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Cochise County. We’re confident in his ability to support the infrastructure needs of our communities.”
Education outcomes remain a concern in Cochise County. During the 2022-23 school year, 70% of students in grades three through eight did not pass the mathematics section of the AASA assessment according to data from the Arizona Department of Education. In addition, 76% of high school students failed the mathematics section of that year’s ACT as reported by state education officials. English proficiency scores were also low; 62.4% of students in grades three through eight did not pass English on the AASA exam according to state figures, while 65% of high schoolers failed English on the ACT as reported by state sources.
Recent results show some improvement: during the 2023-24 school year, 27% of high schoolers passed mathematics on the ACT according to updated statistics from Arizona’s education department, and among third through eighth graders, about 28.5% passed math on their AASA exams state data shows.
Cochise County says it remains committed to maintaining and improving critical infrastructure while planning thoughtfully for future needs.
