Tucson, AZ – The Amphitheater Public Schools district in Southern Arizona is considering closing up to five schools next year as it faces budget challenges. The district, established more than 130 years ago, currently operates 22 schools: 12 elementary schools, two K-8s, three middle schools, and three high schools, along wiht Amphi Academy Online and the Rillito Center for special education.
Superintendent Kristin Jaeger acknowledged the difficulty of the potential closures in a letter, stating, ”The closure of schools is one of the most difficult decisions a school district can face…it is indeed 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 has formed a budget advisory council to identify cost-saving measures and is evaluating factors such as birth rates, transportation needs, and community impact.
Dana Weissman,a parent whose son attends Donaldson Elementary – the same school she attended decades ago – expressed disappointment at the possibility of a school closure. “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,” Weissman said. She also voiced concern for the impact on her son’s teacher, saying, “To think that they might be out of a job, its also disappointing.”
The district plans to finalize decisions by December, with any closures taking effect at the end of the current school year in May. Updates will be posted on the district’s website at https://www.amphi.com/consolidationfaq, and the public can submit input via email to answers@amphi.com.
