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Gilbert Public Schools to consider closing Pioneer Elementary amid steady enrollment decline
Summary
District staff proposed closing Pioneer Elementary for 2026–27, citing more than a 100-student decline over three years, underused classrooms, and an estimated $2.5 million in near-term facility renewals; the board will review a formal motion Jan. 27, 2026.
Dr. Jason Martin, Gilbert Public Schools’ presentation lead, told the governing board on Dec. 9 that the district is proposing boundary changes that could include closing Pioneer Elementary for the 2026–27 school year. He said the proposal responds to multi-year enrollment declines and long-term demographic trends and will return to the board for a formal vote on Jan. 27, 2026.
Martin said Pioneer has “lost approximately, over a 100 students over the last 3 years,” making it the district’s smallest elementary with two classrooms per grade and multiple portable classrooms. He told trustees that, with current use of rooms for district functions and less than 2 resource teachers (1.5 currently), the campus struggles to provide full-time special-area and resource supports on site.
On capital needs, Martin gave a conservative estimate of the facility renewals the district would face if Pioneer remained open. “We estimate that we will need to invest…
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