Roosevelt School District Votes to Close 5 South Phoenix Schools Amid Budget Strains and Declining Enrollment

Roosevelt School District Votes to Close 5 South Phoenix Schools Amid Budget Strains and Declining Enrollment

Controversial Decision Sparks Debate Over Transparency and Future Plans for Vacated Campuses

PHOENIX — The Roosevelt School District Governing Board has voted to close five schools in south Phoenix as part of a plan to address budget shortfalls and declining enrollment. The decision, finalized during a special meeting Thursday evening, passed with a 4-1 vote and includes redrawing enrollment boundaries and repurposing the shuttered campuses for community services.

The Dissenting Voice

Board member Lawrence Robinson cast the sole dissenting vote, citing concerns over a rushed process and lack of transparency.

“This process was peculiar and rushed during the holidays when people weren’t looking. There are so many other options that didn’t require closing this many schools so abruptly,” Robinson said.


Why Close the Schools?

The board’s majority argued that immediate action was necessary due to financial pressures exacerbated by Arizona’s universal Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, which diverts funding and students away from public schools.

Board President Shelley Jackson described the decision as “painful” but necessary and assured the community that the district has no plans to turn the closed campuses into charter or private schools.

“We are committed to repurposing these buildings for things like health care and community services. Charters and privates are not an option,” Jackson said.

Plans for Repurposing and Relocation

The district intends to retain ownership of the vacated properties and lease them to organizations providing community services. Teachers and students from the closed schools will be transferred to other campuses, ensuring continuity for families.

“The district is making sure every student moves with their teachers and relationships remain intact,” Jackson added.

Campus Closures and Boundary Changes

Here’s what the closures mean for the affected schools:

  • Maxine O. Bush Elementary School: Set to reopen in 2026-27 or 2027-28 as a magnet school. Its enrollment area will merge with Cloves C. Campbell Sr. Elementary.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School: Will become an early childhood center and community services hub. Its boundary will merge with Percy L. Julian School.
  • V.H. Lassen Academy of Science and Nutrition: Closed and merged with Ignacio Conchos Elementary.
  • C.J. Jorgensen Academy of Service Learning: Closed and merged with Ed and Verma Pastor Elementary.
  • John R. Davis Elementary School: Closed and merged with Sunland STEAM Academy.

About the Roosevelt School District

Established in 1912, the Roosevelt School District serves over 7,500 students across 18 campuses in south Phoenix. The district plans to ensure its vacated campuses remain assets to the community while addressing its financial challenges and declining student population.

Community input will play a key role in determining how the remaining campuses are repurposed, with additional plans expected in the coming months.