PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — The Paradise Valley Unified School Board met Thursday evening to discuss the possibility of closing four schools.
The proposal comes as the district sees enrollment numbers shrinking due to a combination of factors impacting many districts across the country including shrinking birth rates, more education options and higher property values.
“It’s just really disappointing. It’s a very close knit community here,” said Bert Martinez, whose three children attended Hidden Hills Elementary School. Martinez’s wife has been a teacher at the school for 20 years.
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Hidden Hills, Sunset Canyon Elementary, Desert Springs Preparatory Elementary and Vista Verde Middle School are the four campuses proposed for closures, according to the district.
A district spokesperson said a committee of stakeholders analyzed 29 different scenarios before deciding on the current proposal. The Board voted Thursday evening to move forward with a public comment process.
Depending on how quickly the process moves, the board could take a final vote on closing schools as early as Feb. 8. Closures and new boundaries would go into effect beginning next school year.
Last year the Glendale Elementary School District closed or repurposed five campuses.
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