Florence board votes to close three schools

On November 10, members of the Florence Unified School District’s governing board unanimously approved closing San Tan Mountain Middle School, Copper Basin Elementary School and Skyline Ranch Elementary School. Florence Middle School is also slated to move to a location near Florence Elementary School’s campus.

District leaders said the changes are intended to reduce costs as enrollment falls and facility expenses rise. Officials also cited budget concerns and a need to reduce maintenance and override spending by between $5 million and $7 million.

The planned Copper Basin closure has left Alyssa Valdez concerned about whether another school can support her 6-year-old daughter, Zoey, who has cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy, uses a G-tube and receives special education services. Valdez said Copper Basin has met her daughter’s needs and worries a receiving school may not have a nurse able to care for her.

Valdez said her daughter communicates without words and that watching her make progress in class has meant a great deal to the family. She urged district leaders to consider the support students with disabilities depend on as plans move forward. A board member acknowledged that the decision involved difficult choices.

The board also voted to postpone discussion of moving to a four-day school week. The school closures and relocation are part of a broader effort to address the district’s enrollment and cost pressures.

Florence closures put students’ support services at risk

Florence Unified’s unanimous vote to close three schools puts a difficult question before families: will students who depend on specialized support receive the same care after the closures? Copper Basin Elementary, Skyline Ranch Elementary and San Tan Mountain Middle School are slated to shut, while Florence Middle School is set to move near Florence Elementary.

The district says falling enrollment and rising facility expenses require cost reductions. Officials also cited budget concerns and a need to cut maintenance and override spending by $5 million to $7 million. But the financial rationale does not answer families’ concerns about what support will be available at new schools.

Alyssa Valdez said Copper Basin has become an important part of life for her 6-year-old daughter, Zoey, who has cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy, uses a G-tube and receives special education services. Valdez worries that another school may not have a nurse equipped to meet her daughter’s needs. She also described the meaning of seeing her nonverbal daughter make progress there.

The board acknowledged the difficulty of its decision. Valdez wants district leaders to take into account the support students with disabilities need as the closures proceed. That concern deserves attention alongside the district’s effort to lower costs. The board postponed discussion of a four-day school week.

Florence board confronts enrollment and school-cost pressures

Florence Unified’s board made a difficult cost decision in response to declining enrollment and rising facility expenses, voting unanimously on November 10 to close three schools and move Florence Middle School. Copper Basin Elementary, Skyline Ranch Elementary and San Tan Mountain Middle School are slated to close; the middle school would relocate near Florence Elementary.

District leaders also cited budget concerns and a need to reduce maintenance and override spending by $5 million to $7 million. When enrollment falls while facility costs rise, the district faces pressure to adjust its operations. The board’s vote reflects that financial challenge, even as families seek clarity about the transition.

Alyssa Valdez is worried that a different school might not provide the care required by her 6-year-old daughter, Zoey, who has cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy, uses a G-tube and receives special education services at Copper Basin. Valdez worries that a new school may not have a nurse able to accommodate her daughter. She also said the school has supported her daughter’s progress.

Those needs should be considered as district leaders move ahead with the closures. But the concerns of individual families do not erase the enrollment and budget pressures the board cited in making its decision. The board postponed a separate discussion about moving to a four-day school week.