Phoenix high school district cuts staff by 6%, minorities most affected, educator says

PHOENIX — On Thursday, the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) governing board voted 5-1 to eliminate 167 positions, reducing staff by 6%.

District leaders cite a $20 million budget shortfall tied to declining enrollment, noting that 1,824 students left between 2024 and 2025.

Custodians, librarians, assistant principals and reading and math coaches are among the roles slated for elimination. Of the 167 positions, 41 are already vacant. No teacher roles are included in this round of staff cuts.

While officials blame funding gaps, affected employees are raising concerns about campus safety and question whether other motives may be at play.

Nedra Sheppard, a retired teacher now working as a substitute at PXU, said the Reduction in Force list appeared to disproportionately affect minority staff.

“One whole department, the safety department, is made up of 90% to 100% minorities … These words that come to mind: reorganization and restructuring. Also incorporate retaliation and diversity,” Sheppard told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

A PXU spokesperson shot down the possibility of retaliation or targeting involved in the potential job cuts.

“Regardless of the job family, all demographics will likely be impacted in this process,” the spokesperson said.

Staff cuts ‘devastating,’ assistant principal says

Michelle Delgado, assistant principal of student success at Metro Tech High School, is on the district’s RIF list after two decades of service.

“Two weeks ago, we received this information on Nov. 12. And then, last week, I celebrated my 20 years in this district and my service to the students and to this community. And so, it’s been devastating,” she said.

Delgado emphasized that her role is critical to student and school safety, pointing to the recent stabbing death of a PXU student as an example of why cutting safety-related positions is dangerous.

“We are the first ones in line when there’s a crisis on campus. We’re the ones who put together emergency response plans. We are the ones that do threat management,” she explained.

She also called for better communication from the district, noting that no rubric was provided to explain why certain positions were targeted for reduction.

Also on the district’s agenda Thursday was the approval to hire multiple new employees.

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

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