INFORMATION

Home > District Information > Proposal for School Closures for 2008-2009 > FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you proposing the closure of four elementary schools?
Urban school districts around the country are being forced to close schools due to declining enrollments and increased costs.

TUSD faces a projected deficit of between $15 and $18 million for the 2008-2009 school year. These shortfalls are not expected to be a one-time occurrence. We are proposing budget reductions as part of a long-term strategy. For next year, we expect to realize projected savings of:

These reductions total approximately 7% centrally and 2% at the schools.

For more information, see the presentation on the 2008-2009 Budget Process (available in Adobe PDF).

What schools are you proposing to close?
At the February 12 Governing Board meeting, the Governing Board voted 3-2 to begin the process of a public discussion to consider the closure of the following four elementary schools:

Corbett, 5949 E. 29th St. (enrollment of 593 including 100 GATE students; capacity of 700)
Ochoa, 101 W. 25th St. (enrollment of 249; capacity of 320)
Rogers, 6000 E. 14th St. (enrollment of 263; capacity of 410)
Wrightstown, 8950 E. Wrightstown Road (enrollment of 155; capacity of 230)

The proposal also includes moving Downtown Alternative High School and PACE into other facilities.

Why are you proposing to close these specific schools?
These four schools were selected based on enrollment, academic performance, and the facilities' capacity for growth.  We also chose schools that had other schools nearby that could receive students, so that students would be able to continue to attend schools near their neighborhood.  Receiving schools have an equal or better performing label, based on Arizona LEARNS.

Specifically, the criteria were under-enrollment (either individually or regionally); small enrollment; not a deseg-funded school; academic under-performance; minimizing the number of transfers required to consolidate; minimize the distance to the recommended receiving schools.

See the Presentation (available in Adobe PDF) for more information. The School Selection Criteria Road Map (available in Adobe PDF) provides more specific information about the criteria used to select schools.

If these schools are closed, where will the students be sent?
The proposal is for the following:
Students from Corbett would be sent to Erickson, Kellond, and Reynolds.
Students from Ochoa would be sent to Safford.
Students from Rogers would be sent to Sewell and Wheeler.
Students from Wrightstown would be sent to Bloom and Henry.

What are the capacities for the receiving schools?
Bloom - 370
Erickson - 660
Henry - 400
Kellond - 590
Reynolds - 700
Safford - 960 (middle and elementary combined)
Sewell - 320
Wheeler - 600

If Corbett is closed, where will the GATE students be sent?
The proposal is to send the GATE students to Kellond.

If Rogers is closed, where will you send the students in the autism program?
The proposal is to send the students in Roger's autism program to Wheeler, which also has an autism program for students. Inclusive programming for students from Rogers will continue as indicated in their IEPs.

I've heard that your thinking about closing Rincon High School. Is it one of the schools that you're proposing to close?
No. We are not proposing the closure of any high schools.

What benefits can my children and my family expect from closing these schools?
This plan is part of a long-term strategy to improve education at TUSD.  By reducing the deficit, we're redirecting resources to better serve students and enhance teaching and learning in TUSD.

Your children will still be able to attend schools near their homes, and they will be attending schools that have an equal or better performing label.

By concentrating limited resources where they can most benefit students, the anticipated results include:

  1. addressing the district budget shortfall with the least impact on students
  2. integrating additional teaching staff to share teaching responsibilities
  3. increasing professional learning communities
  4. supporting current and new educational programs for students
  5. enhancing district-wide teaching and learning effectiveness
  6. better positioning the district to compete with charter, private, and area district schools

Will transportation be covered if my children are sent to a different school?
If your children are attending their attendance area school, transportation will be  provided for elementary school students who live 1 1/2 miles or more from school. More information is available in Board Policy 3340.

Can I apply for open enrollment if I want my children to attend a different school than the one they're being assigned to?
Yes.  If there is room at the school you are applying to, your children will be admitted to any TUSD school.  Transportation is not provided to students attending schools through open enrollment.

What is the process for closing schools?  Will the schools be closed immediately?
At the February 12 Governing Board meeting, the TUSD Governing Board voted to begin the process of a public discussion to consider the closure of these four schools. With that vote, the legal process began. Legally, 30 days must go by before the board can hold a public hearing, and another 30 days must pass before the board can act.  The 60-day time frame is mandated by state law.

A public hearing will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on March 14, 2008, at Rincon High School Auditorium, 421 N. Arcadia Blvd. (Fifth and Swan).

At least one community meeting will be held at each school involved.

See the Timeline for more information.

Why aren't you taking other measures to save money?
We are taking many other measures to save money and reduce the deficit. In fact, the central offices are assuming a greater proportion of the proposed cuts, with budgets for central offices being reduced approximately 7%. Budget reductions at schools will be approximately 2%, including the proposed closures. See the presentation on the 2008-2009 Budget Process (available in Adobe PDF) for more information.

How did the district get into this financial problem?
The forecasted deficit can be traced to the following:

What will happen to the principals, teachers, office staff, and other staff members of the schools that are going to be closed?
As much as possible, these employees will be reassigned to other positions that become vacant in other schools for next year.

Will you be selling the facilities of the schools that are closed?
In addition to leasing and property exchanges, property sales is one of the options we are considering.  However, the proceeds from the sales would not go to reduce the deficit of our operating budget.  The funds would reduce property taxes, resulting in a reduction that is just pennies per taxpayer.

What uses are you considering for school property?
Our goal is to serve the community by using facilities in a positive manner and to refrain from holding vacant properties. Options include sale, lease/trade for public services, use for different educational purposes, use for housing, assisted living, or religious facilities, or trades for properties improved to the district's specifications. In addition, the Ochoa property can be used for commercial property on 6th and the remainder as residential or City of South Tucson facility.