Tuesday night, the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) Governing Board met at Catalina High School to discuss a realignment package that would close or merge 14 schools and aim to reduce the district’s $20 million deficit to $14 million, according to azluminaria.org.
Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo told the board the proposal could save $6 million if approved, though he warned an additional $8‑$10 million cut would still be needed. “That’s a great pathway to get back in the black,” Trujillo said, emphasizing that the plan is only one piece of a larger financial puzzle.
The plan, presented in two phases, targets six schools for closure or merger in the 2027‑28 school year. Phase I would close Hudlow Elementary (merging into Sewell Elementary), Cragin Elementary (into Blenman Elementary), and Collier Elementary (into Bloom Elementary). Phase II proposes closing Magee Middle School (merging into Sabino High School to create a “secondary academy” for grades 6‑12), Steele Elementary (into Booth‑Fickett K‑8), Secrist Middle School (into Santa Rita High School for another secondary academy), and Cavett Elementary (merging into Utterback Middle School while the Cavett campus becomes an alternative education center for special‑needs students).
According to the district’s data, Sabino High School currently enrolls 767 students; the merger with Magee Middle would raise that number to 1,033, a size Trujillo said would “easily cover your costs.” Collier Elementary, the smallest school slated for closure, serves just 93 students. Steele Elementary’s property is valued at $1.5 million, while Secrist and Magee Middle Schools together are valued at $3.2 million.
District officials attribute the need for realignment to a 5.6 % enrollment decline from fiscal year 2024 to 2026, a loss of nearly $8 million in state funding, lower Pima County birth rates, and families opting for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. TUSD also hopes to capture $2.2 million annually if the Arizona Legislature renews Proposition 123, a land‑trust funding source that expired in 2025.
Community response was robust, with about 100 residents attending and 24 speakers (18 speakers plus six letter writers) using a 100‑minute public comment period to voice concerns or support. Dunham Elementary, which earned an A grade for the third straight year, was removed from the closure list, and Cavett Elementary’s future as an alternative education center was highlighted as a potential benefit for students with special needs.
What’s next: The board will vote on the realignment package on Dec. 8. If approved, the district will move forward with the Phase I closures in the 2027‑28 school year and begin planning for the Phase II secondary academies. Residents who wish to comment further are encouraged to attend the upcoming board meeting or submit written statements before the vote.
Sources: azluminaria.org
