Amphitheater set to close 4 elementary schools

Four elementary schools in the Amphitheater Unified School District could be closed next school year, the district’s superintendent said in a notice to staff and families Monday evening.

Superintendent Todd Jaeger cited dropping enrollment as the reason he will recommend that the district governing board move to close the schools.

The schools are:

• Copper Creek Elementary School, 11620 N. Copper Spring Trail.

• Donaldson Elementary School, 2040 W. Omar Dr.

• Nash Elementary School, 515 W. Kelso St.

• Holaway Elementary School, 3500 N. Cherry Ave.

Jaeger said in the email that students from Copper Creek would go to either Painted Sky, 12620 N. Woodburne Ave., or Harelson, 826 W. Chapala Dr., elementary schools.

Students at Donaldson would go to Mesa Verde, 1661 W. Sage St.

Students at Holaway would go to Rio Vista Elementary, 1351 E. Limberlost Dr.

And students from Nash would go to either Keeling, 2837 N. Los Altos Ave., or Walker, 1750 W. Roller Coaster Rd., elementary schools.

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“These recommendations weigh heavily on my heart, as I know they do on yours. And yet, despite these challenges, Amphitheater remains strong,” Jaeger said in the email. “Together, we will take thoughtful, decisive actions that protect what matters most: exceptional teaching, thriving school communities, and the well-being of every student”

Jaeger warned parents and staff last month that the closures are likely. He cited a “sudden and steep decline in student enrollment, resulting in several million dollars of lost funding.”

Three community meetings will be held about the planned closures. They are each set to begin at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

• Wednesday, Nov. 19 at Ironwood Ridge High School. That meeting will be about the proposed Copper Creek, Painted Sky and Harelson consolidation.

• Thursday, Nov. 20 at Amphitheater High School. That meeting will be about the consolidation of Nash, Walker and Keeling as wells as the consolidation of Holaway and Rio Vista.

• Friday, Nov. 21 at in the Canyon del Oro High School. That meeting will be about the Donaldson and Mesa Verde.

Jaeger said he will present the plan to Amphi’s governing board when they meet Dec. 9.

Action could be taken on the plan as early as January.

Amphitheater currently has 22 schools.