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Phoenix Union outlines $20M reductions and preliminary RIF list after 1,800-student enrollment drop
Summary
Superintendent Andrade and the district's CFO told the board that Phoenix Union has lost roughly 1,800 students this year, prompting a multi-phase plan to cut about $20 million from the budget and a preliminary reduction-in-force (RIF) list of roughly 160 positions to be shared with the board in December.
Phoenix Union High School District leaders told the governing board in November that a sharp enrollment decline is forcing the district to plan multi-million-dollar budget reductions and personnel reductions next school year.
Superintendent Leandra Andrade said the district's enrollment dropped far more this year than last, from a loss of about 1,200 students last year to roughly 1,800 this year. Andrade attributed the drop to several factors: lower birth rates, rising housing costs and gentrification, changes in federal immigration policy and refugee resettlement, and expanded school-choice programs and ESAs in Arizona.
"This is not unique to just Phoenix Union. This is a national issue," Andrade said during her report. She said the district is starting reduction planning early "to be able to see what other avenues are open to those that may be subject to reduction in force." The district aims to use early retirements, reassignment options and other measures to minimize job losses.
CFO Dr. Adrian D'Alba presented financial slides showing that salaries and benefits make up roughly 87'8% of the district's budget and that the district is targeting about $20 million in reductions. Phase 1 represents roughly $15 million and an estimated 160 positions affected; an additional round would target about $5 million. D'Alba said the first phase will focus on positions, purchased services and division budgets, emphasizing efforts to protect classroom instruction where possible.
The board was given a timeline for the process: preliminary RIF notifications will be prepared in November and a preliminary RIF list will be brought to the board at the December meeting, with a final phase-1 list in January and a final phase-2 list in February. Andrade said the district will follow state statute and negotiated procedures and will continue to collaborate with employee associations.
Board members pressed staff on causes and mitigation. Board member Cota asked whether safety issues might be affecting enrollment at some campuses; Andrade acknowledged safety is a factor in some family decisions and said the district will more actively promote smaller specialty-school options and other supports. Multiple board members expressed concern about the human impact and urged clear communication and dignity for affected employees.
What happens next: the district's talent team will begin preliminary notifications in November; the board will receive a preliminary RIF list in December and vote on subsequent steps in early 2026.
