Parents ask district to reconsider their plans to potentially close 2 Valley schools

PHOENIX — With just three weeks until Scottsdale Unified School District’s governing board votes on whether to close two schools, parents are still urging members to keep them open.

The two schools at risk of closing their doors are Echo Canyon School and Pima Elementary School, where Travis Nietz enrolled his children.

“I think that Pima has a good focus on the academics as well as the extracurriculars. They have a lot to offer for the kids,” Nietz told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “Losing that … I’m not really sure what to do after this.”

The final vote on the closures set for the governing board’s Dec. 9 meeting.

Why is Scottsdale school district considering closing two schools?

According to the district, potential closures may be necessary because of a projected $9 million budget deficit.

Low enrollment has also been a factor, with declining birth rates in the district and a decreasing amount of family housing available within district boundaries.

According to the district, enrollment has been dropping by 2% each year since 2010.

The district would use the extra money gained from shutting down the two schools to invest in special education, expanded early learning and other specialty programs within schools.

If the closures are approved the district would provide student reassignment, transportation, and relocation assistance along with a clear timeline for the shutdowns.

Another parent with children at Pima Elementary School, Vivian Lugo, told KTAR News she wants the governing board to rethink closing the two schools.

“Let Pima be its own entity and make an exception to whatever rule that there is, because I know that enrollment has a big play in it,” Lugo said. “They put a lot of money into rebuilding the school just a couple of years ago, so for it to kind of go away — even after that — to me, it’s kind of crazy.”

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

Related

Kyrene School District hears from parents and students ahead of potential closuresArizona Department of Education says school district may lose federal funding over DEI policiesPeoria Unified board member questions quality of training, alleges sex scandal cover-upPeoria Unified governing board members deny accusations surrounding teacher sex caseArizona judge rejects Republican effort to block ESA reform ballot initiative; appeal plannedMore school closures could be coming in the West Valley