Closing schools won't solve SUSD finances

Scottsdale Schools Face Painful Budget Reality

If you thought closing two neighborhood elementary schools would solve Scottsdale Unified School District's money troubles, think again. The district is staring down an $8 million budget hole for next school year, and the options to fill it aren't pretty.

Pima Elementary and Echo Canyon School will shutter after this school year following a contentious 3-2 board vote in December. But those closures only save about $2.5 million. That leaves district officials scrambling to find another $5.5 million in cuts before the June budget deadline.

Chief Financial Officer Shannon Crosier presented the sobering numbers at a recent board meeting. Among the cost-cutting options on the table are switching to a four-day school week (saving $1.4 million) and increasing average class sizes by one student ($1.5 million). Other proposals include reducing assistant principals, eliminating health assistants, and cutting instructional support staff.

The root cause remains declining enrollment. SUSD has lost over 6,000 students since 2010 as families gravitate toward charter schools and struggle with Scottsdale's rising housing costs. Great Hearts enrollment surged 110% over the past decade while Basis grew nearly 200%.

Superintendent Scott Menzel warned that Pima and Echo Canyon were just phase one. At least six more schools could face closure by 2027-28.

Board member Matthew Pittinsky acknowledged the political reality of pushing for more aggressive action, joking that his stance would ensure he serves just one term.

For families across the district, the next few months promise difficult conversations about what Scottsdale schools will look like moving forward.

Sources: Scottsdale Progress | ABC15 | 12 News | KTAR | AZ Family | East Valley Tribune