Kyrene long-range committee recommends multi-year school consolidations to address falling enrollment

The Kyrene Elementary District—s Long Range Planning Committee presented a recommendation Sept. 16 to consolidate elementary and middle school attendance areas and close multiple school sites in a phased plan intended to address long-term enrollment decline and preserve classroom spending.

The committee, which the district said included nearly 60 parents, staff and community members, proposed a regional model with K—5 elementary schools and 6—8 middle schools, a multi-year rollout of facility closures beginning in the 2026—27 school year, and a timetable that would move remaining consolidations through 2028—29 if the board approves the plan. The superintendent said staff will continue community engagement this fall and that the earliest the governing board would consider formal action is December 2025.

The recommendation responds to a long-term decline in enrollment: district presenters said classrooms were built for about 20,000 students but now serve slightly more than 12,000. The district—s demographer and finance team told the board that projected enrollment decline could reduce operating revenue by approximately $7,000,000 over the next five years and that continuing to operate 25 sites would shift a larger share of the operating budget into plant operations (utilities, custodial, grounds and facility staffing), thereby threatening Kyrene—s stated goal of directing 75% of…