More than 80 community members speak at public hearing on potential Scottsdale school closures

The Scottsdale Unified School District held a public hearing this week as it considers three possible plans for consolidating or closing schools.

More than 80 community members spoke at the meeting, which lasted over three hours. Linda Bird is a member of the Desert Canyon Elementary PTO. She asked the board to choose Option C, which she said saves the most money, optimizes facilities and causes the least disruption for Scottsdale families.

“Based on the district’s estimates, Option C provides a one-time savings of more than $2.7 million, compared to the $1.3 and $1.6 million for the other two options," Bird said.

Ashley Blaine, who was on the advisory committee that drafted the three plans, echoed that sentiment.

“It disrupts the fewest number of students, it saves the most money, and it gives options moving forward for what we do with Cheyenne, which as we all know, is our highest enrolled school," Blaine said.

Others argued the merits of the schools their students attend, like Robb Boscardin who has child at Laguna Prep.

"I want to talk about the asset you're about to give away," he said. "Laguna Prep isn't merely a school. It's a valuable brand. It's STEM-certified, STEAM-designed with a science lab, makers space, Pre-K, robotics funded by an innovation grant and this brand is working."

Boscardin added that Laguna is retaining families at nearly twice the rate of Redfield Elementary School and more than three times the rate of Anasazi Elementary School.

Like many other districts across the state, SUSD is facing enrollment declines. In 2010, the district had more than 26,000 students. It now has around 20,000.

A final decision is expected to be made on Oct. 6.