Overview
- The governing board approved the closures Tuesday night in a split vote, with both campuses set to be repurposed after operations end in the 2026–2027 school year.
- Echo Canyon enrolls 264 students with estimated direct savings of $1,334,302, while Pima enrolls 296 students with projected savings of $1,229,024.
- District leaders cited declining enrollment, rising costs, increased competition and higher living expenses as key factors behind the decision.
- Parents packed the meeting to object to the timeline and transparency, and two dissenting board members echoed calls for a community budget committee and a forensic audit.
- Superintendent Scott Menzel said 12% of Pima families and 17% of Echo Canyon families have already enrolled elsewhere for next year, and Rep. Matt Gress previously urged a delay until Feb. 1.