By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Tucson Unified School District is closing schools, and community members are being given a chance to share concerns before a final decision is made.
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Monday marked the first of three “Reimagining our Schools Together” sessions this week where Tucson residents can share their input.
The meeting was held in the gym at Sahuaro High.
Tucson USD School Closures
The district said birth rates are declining and kindergarten classes are shrinking. Families are choosing charter schools and Empowerment Scholarship Accounts.
That leaves many public schools with a budget deficit, and if they don’t close schools, the remaining students and teachers suffer.
District says input will matter
Tucson Unified School District Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo said community input will influence the district’s recommendations.
“So for example, if we hear tonight in resounding fashion, protect preschool programs – we don’t want our preschool programs shut down – then that’s going to weigh heavily into what we provide to the governing board,” Trujillo said.
Trujillo said the governing board will vote on a list of schools to close at the Dec. 8 board meeting.
The first round of schools will close next year, in the 2027-2028 school year, followed by another round the year after. But first, the district wants community members to create a shared vision.
“We have to respect the fact that these are not just buildings that would be closed. We’re closing out probably one of the most beautiful chapters in people’s lives,” Trujillo said.
Community concerns
Community members said they are concerned about abandoned school buildings, larger class sizes for their children, transportation, and the mental health impact on students.
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Santa Rita Curriculum Service Provider Kristin Strong said she is worried about misinformation surrounding the closures.
“I’m just concerned about misinformation out there because with Santa Rita, there’s been lots of reports about us closing for years,” Strong said.
Strong said she is worried closing schools will drive away current students.
“If we close, then our students go to Vail. Is that helping TUSD or Tucson?” Strong said.
Trujillo said he shares that concern.
“We do not want to set off on a path of closing and consolidating schools and driving families out of the district,” Supt. Trujillo said.
Turnout and upcoming sessions
Of the 300 people who RSVP’d for Monday’s meeting, 100 attended, and some people walked in and joined a waitlist.
There are two additional sessions scheduled this week:
- 4 p.m. Wednesday at Cholla High
- 9 a.m. Saturday at Tucson High
Each session will run 2 1/2 hours.
Isabela Lisco is aReport for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and theArizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
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