TEMPE, AZ — On Tuesday night, the Kyrene Elementary School District governing board voted to close six schools over the next two school years.
The Kyrene District currently serves about 12,000 students in schools built to accommodate 20,000 students. This declining enrollment is expected to result in a nearly $7 million funding loss over the next five years, which district officials cite as the reason for the necessary cuts.
For months now, the board has been going back and forth, tweaking the plans, and had three different proposals to consider in Tuesday night’s meeting, which included closing five, six or eight schools.
After back and forth between board members and two failed votes for other proposals, a unanimous decision was made to close four elementary schools and two middle schools that will be phased out over the next two years.
Schools to close at the end of the 2025-26 school year:
- Kyrene de las Manitas
- Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary
- Kyrene de la Colina Elementary School
Schools to close at the end of the 2026-27 school year:
- Kyrene Traditional Academy
- Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School
- Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School
Community meetings were held in October and November to gather feedback about the proposal.
“It was really shocking because Pueblo was such a great community. I didn’t think there was a possibility that they could close it,” Kira, a 7th grader at Pueblo Middle School, said emotionally after the vote.
Two schools that were proposed to close were spared: Kyrene de la Mariposa and Kyrene del Milenio.
“It’s bittersweet. We’re thrilled for our wonderful community, but our hearts are breaking for many schools in Kyrene and parents and the community members who unfortunately learned that their schools are closing today,” said Michaela Decker, a parent at Kyrene de la Mariposa.
For families and staff at Kyrene de la Colina, their school had been on the list since the beginning of the process. Matthew Sparks, a parent at Kyrene de la Colina, saw other schools get taken off the proposed closure list.
“It's been a travesty for community as a whole. From the very beginning, we’ve been cut. We had zero opportunity regardless of what sort of community outreach has been made or alternate opportunities that the district has had,” he said.
As for what could happen to the campuses once they’re closed, the superintendent told ABC15 that it will be a decision of the board, which discussions could potentially start in the spring.
To see the latest on the boundaries that would be changed and the transition process for families and staff, click here.
In the video player below, hear from Superintendent Laura Toenjes about the process. The interview was conducted the day before the vote.
