TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Amphitheater Public Schools is set to close up to five elementary schools at the end of this school year due to declining enrollment and funding issues.
Superintendent Todd A. Jaeger made the announcement on Thursday in an email to parents and staff, but no word on which schools could be consolidated.
“Enrollment in Amphi schools has declined nearly every year for the past decade. Last year, however, we saw a sudden $4.3 million loss due to a particularly steep decline,” Jaeger wrote. “The trend of declining enrollment continued into this year, with a projected enrollment loss of about 300 students currently. A review of demographic forecasts gives us little reason to believe this will turn around for many years to come.”
In that letter, Jaeger said declining birth rates, a rise in private school vouchers, underfunding by the state, rising costs, and the expansion of private and charter schools have made these closures necessary.
According to its website, the district is more than 130 years old and has 22 schools. That includes 12 elementary schools, two K-8s, three middle schools, and three high schools. The district also runs a virtual school called Amphi Academy Online, as well as the Rillito Center, which is for special education students.
Dana Weissman went to Donaldson Elementary decades ago, the same school her son now attends.
It’s a full circle moment that might be cut short for the fourth grader.
“We were hoping he would spend his entire elementary time here at Donaldson, and to hear it might not be a possibility, we’re very disappointed,” said Weissman
While she understands the reasoning, Weissman said moving schools would not only be inconvenient, but would affect her son greatly.
“He’s gone to this school his entire elementary career, so I think, you know, he would get used to it. But it’s gonna take some time, and I think he’s gonna be disappointed,” she said.
Even more than that, she said she’s most concerned for her son’s teachers.
“My son’s teacher has always been great, this year especially, and to think that they might be out of a job, it’s also disappointing,” Weissman said.
“The closure of schools is one of the most difficult decisions a school district can face, and it is certainly not a decision I ever wanted to face or make as your Superintendent,” wrote Jaeger in the letter. “The moment weighs heavy on my mind and heart, as I know it does on yours, but it is our responsibility to ensure we balance our budget, use our facilities wisely, and provide strong school communities and programs where our students thrive.”
The district established a budget advisory council to assess ways to save money and plans to work with district leadership to study birth rates, transportation needs, and community impacts of consolidation.
The district said it plans to finalize all decisions by December, and schools will close in May at the end of the current school year.
Over the next two months, Amphi will post updates with new information on its website. The district is currently receiving public input through the email address answers@amphi.com.
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