Chandler, Higley school districts look at budget cuts amid enrollment declines

Two East Valley school districts are looking to cut millions of dollars from their budgets to keep up with declines in enrollment.

The Chandler Unified School District is considering an enrollment-based staffing plan to achieve a $12 million budget reduction for the next school year. It cuts about 120 employees. In an email to KJZZ, a district spokesperson said the plan is designed to proactively address shifting demographic trends.

The Higley Unified School District has drafted several options for reducing its budget by $7.8 million.

At a meeting on Tuesday night, Superintendent David Loutzenheiser said for now, the district can pull from its savings to give them time to make more thoughtful decisions about cuts.

“Right now, our carryforward is what’s covering it," he said. "We save up for a rainy day and it’s raining. So yes, that can cover us but at some point we would get to the point where it could not be fiscally responsible for us to maintain things the way that they are.”

For now, Higley is considering three plans that cut positions and prioritize saving programs like P.E. and art. This comes after the community rejected the district’s budget override and as the district faces enrollment declines, like many others around the state.

Governing Board President Amanda Wade said it’s frustrating that the community did not support the override.

"For those of you in the community who are listening and did not support our override because you said things like 'we have this carryforward,' well then I will expect your vote the next time it's on the ballot," Wade said. "We won't have a choice."

Wade also raised concerns about dipping into district savings because it doesn't set them up for long-term success.

“I look at our savings account and the idea that we have buildings that are old," Wade said. "We literally have today to fulfill the fact that two of our schools don’t have cooling towers because they’re old, these are hard decisions to make because that’s what savings is for.”

Higley's board is expected to take action on Jan. 27. CUSD's board will take its first look at the new plan at a study session on Jan. 14.

The Chandler Unified District's full statement

Like many well-run organizations, as part of its commitment to fiscal responsibility and academic excellence, Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) will present a "Staffing for Enrollment" plan to the Governing Board during a study session on January 14 at 4:30 p.m. The plan is designed to proactively address shifting demographic trends while maintaining the district’s status as Arizona’s "Premier District of Choice."

While CUSD remains the second-largest school district in Arizona, it has experienced a decade-long trend of smaller incoming elementary classes compared to graduating secondary classes. For the upcoming school year, the district projects a 3% decrease in total enrollment. In response, the proposed plan includes a modest 2.2% adjustment to staffing levels. District leadership emphasizes that these changes are about realignment rather than reduction.

"This proposal is about preserving the excellence our community expects," said a district spokesperson. "By adjusting our staffing to match our current student population, we ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently while preserving position opportunities for every current CUSD employee." Current staff will have access to CUSD job opportunities in FY26-27.

The district’s core priorities remain unchanged. The proposal ensures that CUSD will:

• Protect Class Sizes: Maintain the 24:1 staffing ratio.
• Uphold Excellence: Prioritize high academic achievement and robust extracurricular programming.
• Foster Innovation: Reallocate resources to meet the evolving needs of modern learners and required standards.
• Support Staff: Continue offering competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain top talent.

The district is releasing this information to provide clarity and counter circulating misinformation regarding potential changes. CUSD remains in a strong financial position, and this plan serves as a strategic roadmap to ensure that stability continues for years to come.

CUSD encourages parents, staff, and community members to get the facts directly from the source. Detailed information will be shared during the Governing Board Study Session on January 14. Board meetings can be viewed virtually at youtube.com/channel/UCU8IGMDuynDSSvaYtDj2sRQ/videos.