Kyrene School District votes to close 6 schools as enrollment declines

PHOENIX – Facing declining enrollment and funding, the Kyrene School District Governing Board voted Tuesday night to close six schools over the next two years.

Kyrene currently has 25 elementary, middle and K-8 schools that serve students from Tempe, Chandler, Guadalupe, Ahwatukee and the Gila River Indian Community.

The board considered plans with eight, six or five closures before the final decision. It approved the six closures with a 5-0 vote. This was after a model suggesting five schools be closed failed with a 2-3 vote.

• Kyrene de las Manitas (K-8)
• Kyrene de la Estrella (K-5)
• Kyrene de la Colina (K-5)

• Kyrene Traditional Academy (K-8)
• Kyrene del Pueblo (6-8)
• Kyrene Akimel A-al (6-8)

How much is Kyrene School District enrollment falling?

The Kyrene School District currently serves 12,000 students across a system built for 20,000 kids. Furthermore, the district is projecting a loss of more than 1,000 students over the next five years.

With state education funding tied to enrollment, the district said the decline would result in a $6.7 million budget deficit if it didn’t act. The closures will save the district an estimated $5.8 million a year.

Declining enrollment is a growing problem for public school districts across the Phoenix area. Earlier this month, the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board voted to close and repurpose two campuses due to enrollment and budget concerns.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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