closures

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.