URGENT UPDATE: The Chandler Unified School District is grappling with a staggering $12 million budget shortfall for the upcoming school year, prompting the board to consider drastic measures, including job eliminations and role consolidations. This critical situation has sparked intense emotional responses from teachers and parents as the board weighs the future of school staffing.
During a heated public meeting on January 10, 2024, community members voiced their concerns. One parent warned, “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 district is looking at reducing approximately 120 positions, roughly 2 percent of overall staffing, as a means to balance the budget.
The proposed cuts could affect roles such as Media and Technology Specialists, along with certain administrative positions. In addition, reductions in work hours, stipends, and departmental budgets are on the table. Despite these potential changes, district spokesperson Stephanie Ingersoll emphasized, “I want to make very, very clear that the current openings for the 2026-2027 school year will be available to everyone impacted.”
Concern is mounting in the community, especially among teachers directly affected by the cuts. Marysol Sanabria Galvez, a technology specialist, expressed her fears about the impact on student programs. “My argument is that you’re cutting from students, you’re taking away from students. So if you can make cuts, why can’t it be from somewhere else?”
Ingersoll attributes the budget shortfall to declining enrollment, driven by factors such as an aging population, high home prices, and low birth rates. The district has seen a loss of about 3 percent of its students, with funding largely dependent on enrollment figures. “This allows us to move the district in the most fiscally responsible way with taxpayer dollars, maintaining us as the district of choice,” Ingersoll asserted.
Parents are also feeling the strain. Beau Cross raised concerns about the impact on his son, who requires special guidance. He fears the cuts could affect the level of support provided by specialist teachers and deans, saying, “Some of the teachers that are most involved in that are the specialist teachers and the dean.”
As of 10 p.m. on January 10, the board was still deliberating on the proposal. Community members are urged to stay informed as updates develop. This situation remains dynamic, with the potential to reshape the educational landscape in Chandler.
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