Scottsdale Unified Weighs Closing 2-3 More Schools

District faces $6.5 million budget shortfall after initial closures

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:06pm

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The Scottsdale Unified School District is considering closing two or three more schools to address a remaining $6.5 million budget shortfall, after previously voting to close Pima and Echo Canyon schools in December. The district is also reviewing proposals from potential tenants to repurpose the empty school buildings.

Why it matters

School closures are a difficult and controversial decision that can significantly impact students, families, and communities. Scottsdale Unified is grappling with tough budget choices as it seeks to balance its finances while also maintaining educational services.

The details

The district had previously closed Pima and Echo Canyon schools, saving over $2.5 million, but still faces a $6.5 million budget shortfall. Now the board is weighing whether to close two or three additional campuses. Board member Amy Carney expressed concerns about the timeline for more closures and wants to ensure community input through district surveys. Meanwhile, the district is reviewing proposals from three organizations - Polaris Academy, Jones Gordon School, and Arcadia Sports and Learning Foundation - to potentially occupy the soon-to-be-vacant Echo Canyon building. Pima Elementary could also be repurposed as a special education public school.

  • In December, the board voted to close Pima and Echo Canyon schools.
  • The district's projected budget shortfall was around $9 million, leaving $6.5 million to recover.
  • The next governing board meeting is set for April 7.

The players

Amy Carney

A board member of the Scottsdale Unified School District who has voiced concerns about school closures being a last resort.

Nathan Palmer

The CEO and co-founder of Polaris Academy, a school for students on the autism spectrum that has proposed leasing the Echo Canyon building.

Eric O'Connor

A representative of the nonprofit Arcadia Sports and Learning Foundation, which has proposed creating an Arcadia Sports and Performance Complex in the Echo Canyon building.

Jones Gordon School

A school that specializes in serving students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning challenges, and has proposed leasing the Echo Canyon building.

Scottsdale Unified School District

The public school district in Scottsdale, Arizona that is facing budget shortfalls and considering additional school closures.

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What they’re saying

“I would personally like to see closure as our last option, last resort. I've voiced that many times and I stand true to that that closure is a last option for us. But I would like information on when are the surveys going to go out.”

— Amy Carney, Board member (ktar.com)

“As much as public [school] is asked to deliver education for all, not all pegs fit into all holes and there are children out there that are requiring more services that frankly, it would be unfair to ask the public education to serve.”

— Nathan Palmer, CEO and co-founder of Polaris Academy (ktar.com)

“We hope to integrate athletics, academic support, through on-site tutoring, mentoring and social enrichment opportunities available to student athletes and non-student athletes.”

— Eric O'Connor, Representative of Arcadia Sports and Learning Foundation (ktar.com)

What’s next

The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board will meet again on April 7 to further discuss the potential school closures and proposals for repurposing the empty school buildings.

The takeaway

Scottsdale Unified is facing difficult budget decisions that could lead to more school closures, impacting students and families. However, the district is also exploring options to repurpose the empty school buildings in ways that could benefit the community, such as through specialized education programs and community facilities.