Florence Unified School District — the district that serves most of the San Tan Valley area — is weighing school closures to close a $5 million budget gap, and district leaders say more than one campus may have to shut down to make up the difference.

Most of the district's schools are in the San Tan Valley area. Only two elementary schools and one high school sit within the town of Florence; the rest serve San Tan Valley. The Governing Board heard an update on the budget at its June 9 meeting.

The numbers steer the choices. Closing one of the district's seven elementary schools would save about $1 million, Assistant Superintendent Denice Erickson told the board, so more than one closure would be needed to reach $5 million. Five of those seven elementary schools are in the San Tan Valley area.

A land sale in San Tan Valley could ease the pressure, at least for now. The district's budget problems could be solved temporarily if it earns $23 million this summer by selling two land parcels in San Tan Valley, the district said. That would be a one-time fix, not a lasting one, but it could buy time before any campus has to close.

What the District Is Studying

A budget steering committee and several subcommittees have been studying ways to balance the budget, and they shared early findings with the board. Two ideas they looked at would not deliver the savings some had hoped.

Closing middle schools and moving those students into high schools would not save money, the committee found. A separate committee studying a combined grades 7-12 campus recommended against it. Florence High School Principal Deanna Potter said putting middle and high school grades together raised real problems: seventh and eighth graders risked being overshadowed by high schoolers, and middle school clubs and sports tended to get pushed aside. A shared campus would also need more fields, gym space, activity space and parking, she said. Potter said the committee viewed the combined model as unlikely to succeed because of the work it would take to restructure programs and buildings.

The grades 7-12 idea had already drawn sharp public criticism when the district first raised it months ago. Superintendent Chris Knutsen said he remained open to it if it helped reach the $5 million target, pointing to a positive experience with a 7-12 campus at Casteel High School in Queen Creek, where his wife teaches and his child graduated. But Potter's committee did not recommend it.

Why a Closure Gets Complicated

Closing an elementary school saves about $1 million, plus the cost of repairs the district would otherwise have to make, Erickson said. But shutting a campus can create new costs somewhere else.

Copper Basin is one example. The school sits in the Copper Basin subdivision, and many students there walk to class. If that campus closes, those students would have to be bused to another school — a new expense that offsets part of the savings.

Growth is not arriving fast enough to avoid the problem. The district's population is rising, but only gradually, Erickson told the board. She said future growth would come in pockets but not quickly enough to keep the district from needing to close schools.

A four-day school week is also on the table. A subcommittee studying it needs more time to decide whether it would actually save money while balancing the effect on the community, Erickson said. Most teachers would likely welcome a four-day week, she said, but other employees would want to know what it means for their pay, and a shorter week could be a hardship for families who do not work a four-day schedule and would need more childcare.

How Residents Can Weigh In

District leaders said they have not heard enough from the community yet. About 40 parents answered an invitation to serve on a committee, but not everyone can take that on, Erickson said. Board member Jeffrey Carr questioned whether there had been enough community input, especially on a four-day week, and asked whether people are truly aware of what is being considered.

Erickson said the district plans to re-survey families and hold community forums to share updates and gather feedback — possibly at every school — and will use press releases and other outreach to keep parents and residents informed. The district has not yet set dates, times or locations for those forums, so residents who want to take part should watch for announcements from Florence Unified.

Residents who want to weigh in now can email board members directly. Contact information for each member is posted on the FUSD Board Members page. The district also outlines how to address the board during meetings in its Call to the Public procedures.

Board member Sherri Jones asked whether the committee studying closures had talked with other districts that have been through the same thing. Erickson said not yet, but called it vital for the committee to do as it moves forward.

What Happens Next

District staff plan to present options to the Governing Board in November, with a board vote set for December, so any changes could take effect for the following school year.