The Phoenix Union High School District will eliminate roughly 6% of its workforce as it works to close a projected $20 million budget shortfall tied to a sharp decline in student enrollment.
District leaders said about 3,000 students have left the system since 2022 — nearly 10% of PXU’s total enrollment — a drop that has translated directly into reduced state funding. In a video message released this week, Superintendent Thea Andrade said the decision to reduce staff was “very difficult” but necessary to prioritize student learning.
Because about 90% of PXU’s annual budget is tied to salaries and benefits, Andrade said the district could not rely on natural attrition alone to bridge the gap. The staff cuts are expected to save $15 million, covering only part of the deficit projected for the 2026–27 school year.
A detailed list of positions slated for reduction will be presented at the district’s Dec. 4 governing board meeting, marking the first phase of a broader, multi-step financial recovery plan. A second phase is anticipated early next year. Andrade noted that PXU has been consolidating roles, adjusting student-to-staff ratios, and considering mergers among its smaller specialty schools to stretch remaining dollars further.
Phoenix Union is not alone. Other districts, including Kyrene and Scottsdale Unified, are weighing campus closures amid declining enrollment and the continued growth of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program — a major policy shift that has prompted some families to leave traditional public schools. Rising home prices, gentrification, and falling birth rates have also contributed to fewer families enrolling in district schools.
PXU has already pared down $14.2 million from its budget between 2023 and 2025, and another $15 million cut may be necessary in 2027 if enrollment patterns remain unchanged, according to district estimates published on its website.
Despite the sobering numbers, Andrade emphasized that the district intends to keep its focus on students: “We will weather this storm. We will move forward stronger together,” she said.
