UPDATE: The Chandler Unified School District is grappling with a staggering $12 million budget shortfall for the next school year, prompting urgent discussions about potential job eliminations and position consolidations. Just hours ago, the school board faced heated reactions from concerned teachers and parents who fear the impact on their children’s education.
During a public comment session, one parent passionately argued against the proposed changes, stating, “If you combine our librarian and tech teacher for a career literacy position, people will leave. If our deans travel between schools, families will leave.” The board is considering adjustments to approximately 120 positions, which accounts for about 2 percent of the district’s overall staffing.
The proposed cuts include roles for Media and Technology Specialists and certain administrative positions, which would be merged with existing jobs. Additionally, there are plans for reductions in work hours, stipends, and departmental budgets. Despite the looming changes, district spokesperson Stephanie Ingersoll emphasized that there will not be outright job cuts, stating, “I want to make very, very clear that the current openings for 2026-2027 will be available to everyone impacted.”
The decline in enrollment is blamed for the budget crisis, attributed to an aging population, high housing costs, and lower birth rates. The district has seen a 3 percent decrease in student numbers, which directly affects funding. Ingersoll added, “This allows us to move the district in the most fiscally responsible way with taxpayer dollars, maintaining us as the district of choice.”
Concerns are mounting among parents, including Beau Cross, who expressed worry for his son’s specialized educational needs, stating, “Some of the teachers that are most involved in that are the specialist teachers and the dean.”
As discussions continue, parents and educators await the board’s final decision, which was still being deliberated as of 10 p.m. on January 24, 2024. The urgency of the situation is palpable, as the outcomes could significantly reshape the educational landscape for students in Chandler.
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