Scottsdale Unified School District considers closing more schools as enrollment drops
Scottsdale district considers closing more schools
Parents voice concern as Scottsdale Unified School District considers closing or combining several schools. FOX 10's Andrew Christiansen reports.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - More schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District could be closing, and community members got the chance to weigh in on the proposed changes.
What we know:
The district has already decided to close Pima Elementary and Echo Canyon K-8. Now several other schools are being considered to be either closed or combined. The district says that could impact up to about 2,200 students.
Several different proposals are currently on the table. The schools that could potentially face changes under the district's review include:
- Anasazi Elementary School K-5
- Copper Ridge School
- Cheyenne Traditional School
- Laguna Prep
- Redfield Elementary School
- Desert Canyon Elementary School
- Desert Canyon Middle School
Since 2010, the superintendent says enrollment has gone down by more than 6,000 students. That is because of declining birth rates and Empowerment Scholarship accounts.
There are three options the district is considering involving closing, merging, or moving several schools. The district is also considering six models for boundary changes for each of the three options. Community members from the schools expressed some concerns about the possible changes.
Scottsdale Unified School District considers school mergers and closures amid declining enrollment figures.
What they're saying:
"I do not believe the three models before you and the associated boundaries are options that represent the full range of viable solutions. Key decisions were made before all relevant information was available or fully vetted," said Nicole Young, a Laguna Prep parent.
"I am hoping you will recognize that the process used to create the models was flawed and, therefore, we cannot assume that the options before you are the best options," community member Ellen Douglas said.
The district put together a committee of community stakeholders from all the schools. The district says they preferred an option to close Copper Ridge K-8 and Laguna Prep and redistribute their boundaries. There would also be a possible merger of Desert Canyon Elementary with Desert Canyon Middle School. Only around 900 students would be impacted.
What's next:
On Sept. 22, the governing board is going to have a public hearing for the community to weigh in on this issue. They will also be considering the issue next month.