The Phoenix Union High School District voted Thursday to eliminate 167 positions, a 6% reduction in its workforce, as leaders work to close a $20 million budget gap. The shortfall stems largely from declining enrollment, with the district reporting a loss of 1,824 students between 2024 and 2025.
The cuts span several job categories, including custodians, librarians, assistant principals, and reading and math coaches. Of the positions slated for removal, 41 are already vacant. District officials emphasized that no classroom teacher jobs are part of this round of reductions.
While district leaders pointed to budget constraints, employees affected by the restructuring warned the move could strain campus operations, particularly in safety and student support roles. One longtime assistant principal, who learned she was on the Reduction in Force list shortly after marking her 20th year with the district, described the decision as “devastating” and argued that eliminating safety-related positions could hinder crisis response.
Several staff members also expressed frustration about unclear criteria for determining which positions were selected, calling for greater transparency in the process.
In the same meeting, the governing board also approved plans to hire new employees in other areas as the district reshapes its organizational structure.
