The Florence Unified School District governing board met on Tuesday and voted unanimously to close three schools and relocate a fourth. The decision, announced by district leaders, is framed as a necessary step to reduce operating costs as enrollment continues to decline and facility expenses rise.
Schools slated for closure
The board approved the shutdown of Copper Basin Elementary School, Skyline Ranch Elementary School and San Tan Mountain Middle School. In addition, Florence Middle School will be moved to a site adjacent to Florence Elementary School.
Fiscal rationale
District officials explained that the closures are part of a broader effort to balance the budget without compromising core instructional programs. “We are facing a significant drop in enrollment across the district, which directly impacts state funding,” said a district spokesperson. “At the same time, the cost of maintaining aging facilities has risen sharply. Consolidating schools allows us to allocate resources more efficiently and preserve the quality of education for the remaining students.”
Family concerns
Parents of children with special needs voiced strong concerns about the impact of the closures on their families. Alyssa Valdez, whose six‑year‑old daughter Zoey attends Copper Basin Elementary, highlighted the importance of the school’s specialized services. Zoey, who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and uses a G‑tube, receives individualized support that Valdez says is vital to her daughter’s progress.
“Copper Basin meets all of her needs,” Valdez told the board. “She is nonverbal, and seeing her grow and learn in that environment has been amazing for our family. If the new school does not have a nurse who can manage her G‑tube or the specialized therapies she requires, she cannot attend.”
Board’s response to concerns
During the meeting, a board member acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stating, “Sometimes you have to do those hard things. You have to have those hard conversations and do those hard things.” The board pledged to review the availability of special‑education services at the receiving schools and to work with families to ensure continuity of care.
Valdez urged district leaders to consider the “little aspects” that make a difference for children with disabilities, emphasizing that the closure of a school should not erase essential supports that families rely on.
Next steps
The district will develop a transition plan over the coming weeks, including transportation adjustments and a review of staffing to ensure that special‑education programs remain robust. Parents will be invited to participate in focus groups to discuss how the district can best meet the needs of students with complex medical and developmental requirements.
Community members are encouraged to attend upcoming board meetings to stay informed about the implementation timeline and to provide feedback on the transition process.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
