Schools at Risk: South Phoenix Community Raises Alarms Over Roosevelt School District Shutdown

Special to the Arizona Informant Newspaper

In a pivotal meeting earlier this week, the Roosevelt School Board confronted a pressing issue: the potential closure of five district schools. Community members filled the room, expressing their concerns about the board’s consideration of these closures, driven largely by declining enrollment and competition from numerous charter schools. Factors such as the use of vouchers by parents and the Kyrene School District’s busing policies have compounded these challenges.

The board faces a multi-million-dollar deficit, prompting Superintendent Dr. Dani Portillo to propose drastic measures. In a letter dated November 7 to Roosevelt Families, Portillo outlined the importance of these discussions, emphasizing the need for immediate action to preserve academic programming and address the financial crisis without depleting reserve funds.

“After considering all sources of data,” Portillo stated, “I am recommending the Governing Board vote to consolidate certain campuses.” Her recommendations include:

• Closing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School and transferring students to Dr. Percy L. Julian School.
• Closing Maxine O. Bush School, sending students to Cloves C. Campbell, Sr. School.
• Closing C.J. Jorgensen Academy of Learning Service, with students relocating to Ed and Verma Pastor School.
• Closing V. H. Lassen Academy of Science and Nutrition, with students moving to Ignacio Conchos School.
• Closing John R. Davis School and transferring students to Sunland Steam Academy.

Many community members voiced their concerns regarding the historical significance of the schools and urged the board to focus on improving student retention. Superintendent Portillo invited the community to engage in upcoming meetings, including the Call to the Public on November 19 and a critical vote on school closures scheduled for November 21. Both events will take place at the Verna McClain Wellness Center, located at 1030 East Baseline Road, starting at 5:30 PM. Additional details can be found on the district’s website, “rsd66.org.”