Gilbert Junior High to close for 2014-15

GILBERT, AZ - The Governing Board of the Gilbert Public Schools district voted late Tuesday night to close Gilbert Junior High by the 2014-15 school year.

The Gilbert Classical Academy will take over the current Gilbert Junior High building. Students who currently attend Gilbert Junior High will be moved to other schools in the district.

The board's vote also established a committee to help with the transition and determine where students will go to school for the 2013-14 school year.

Superintendent Dave Allison told the crowd gathered at Mesquite High School Tuesday night that Gilbert Junior High is experiencing declining enrollment while GCA has a waiting list and admits students based on a lottery drawing.

Allison cited the trends in enrollment as the main reason why Gilbert Junior High should cease operations and allow the Gilbert Classical Academy to inherit its building.