The Kyrene School District is considering closing several schools in response to changing demographics and projected enrollment declines.
District officials say Kyrene was built to serve about 20,000 students, but enrollment is expected to drop to 11,000 or 12,000 over the next five years, resulting in a projected $7 million funding loss.
A long range planning committee has drafted several proposals, including merging dual language schools, creating a gifted academy, and now the closure of five schools on the east side of Interstate 10 and four on the west.
Erin Wilkinson is a parent and PTO president at one of those on the East side, Kyrene de la Mirada.
“We understand that they have to restructure, we understand that they do have to close some schools," Wilkinson said, "but closing five will kind of put all the schools on our side of the freeway at pretty near capacity limits."
That’s because schools on the east side have higher enrollment numbers to begin with.
"The two accepted plans leave the schools on the east side at 90-plus percent capacity, whereas the schools on the west side will be down in the 70s," Wilkinson said. "The district has put out in the past that their ideal operational capacity for schools is between 75% and 85%."
The district hired a demographer to look at population trends and current school boundaries to determine which ones to close.
But some parents want the district to consider the merits of the schools, not just demographics. Wilkinson said families choose her school because of its leadership program, strong special education department and community partnerships.
“These are things that we think will be a big loss if Mirada closes," Wilkinson said. "Those programs offer a lot to the community and so that’s a big reason why people choose to come to us.”
Depending on what the district decides to do, Wilkinson said many families are threatening to leave Kyrene altogether.
The district's website states that no decisions will be made until December at the earliest, so there is time for families, staff and community members to learn more, ask questions, and share feedback.
Proposed Kyrene school closures
- Kyrene de la Colina
- Kyrene de la Estrella
- Kyrene de la Mariposa
- Kyrene del Milenio (repurpose as gifted academy)
- Kyrene de la Mirada
- Kyrene del Norte
- Kyrene Traditional Academy
- Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School
- Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School
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