Roosevelt School District 66

Roosevelt School District has a history of leadership and innovation in meeting the needs of treasured students. Drawing from these proven results, we are undertaking a bold redesign of our district to resolve a financial deficit while also creating better futures for all students.

The upcoming Board meetings focus on the choices we face in investing our limited resources for maximum student impact and success. As we redesign Roosevelt, we also envision strengthening our neighborhoods.

We value our community's voices. In addition to the public meetings below, Roosevelt is seeking input through a committee of diverse stakeholders and a series of focus groups.

Fall 2024 Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the district closing schools? Is the district closing my school?
   The Governing Board is considering all options for reducing the deficit and maximizing every dollar for direct and positive student impact. They will vote on all recommendations for consolidating, repurposing and closing designated schools at a special meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

2. How did this happen? What caused the deficit?
   Many combined factors, including the Great Recession and COVID-19, have resulted in an 18-year enrollment decline and a reduction in funding for operating expenses. Despite the slight improvements over the last two years, there are 5,200 fewer students in Roosevelt today than in 2007. Additionally, aging buildings and low occupancy require significant investments and maintenance costs to serve as optimal learning environments.

3. Why is enrollment declining?
   A reduced birth rate and the explosion of non-district school options have affected traditional public school enrollment throughout Arizona and the nation. Twenty-one charter schools operate within Roosevelt School District boundaries. The expansion of the school voucher program enabled more families to send their children to private schools and receive a proportionate share of Roosevelt’s federal grant funding. About 900 children within RSD boundaries attend non-district schools, including 241 who attend private schools.

4. Is there anything that can be done right now?
   The district has already reduced costs by changing staffing, improving procurement and accounting practices and training staff to use modern classrooms efficiently. However, the most recent Comprehensive Auditor General report shows that compared with similarly sized districts, Roosevelt still spends vastly more per pupil on teachers, square footage and transportation.

5. How does this impact the bond dollars the district is seeking?
   Campus consolidating, repurposing and closing are separate from the bond dollars the district is seeking. Bond dollars will ensure all remaining campuses receive improvements that benefit students, including improved safety measures at all campuses, the creation of sports fields, running tracks, and lighting, and expanded before- and after-school programs.

6. What other options are there besides closing schools?
   The Governing Board is committed to maximizing every dollar for direct student benefit and must consider difficult choices like:

   • Would we rather close a school or eliminate programming for students?

   • Would we rather keep art and music classes or significantly cut transportation routes throughout the district?

   • Would we rather make facility improvements at each school, rebuild an aging school, build an arts performance center, or install lighted soccer fields?

7. When will the Board make a final decision?
   The Governing board will vote on all recommendations for consolidating, repurposing and closing designated schools at a special meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at 6 p.m.

8. Do I get a say in the matter?
   The district is convening focus groups of families, students, teachers, staff, and community members to hear from you directly. There are several upcoming Governing Board meetings where you can also make public comments in person or via Zoom:

   • Study Session – Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 5 p.m.

   • Community Forum at Southwest School – Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 9 a.m. or 5:30 p.m.

   • Regular Meeting – Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m.

   • Study Session and Public Hearing – Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. Special Meeting – Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m.

9. If the Board does vote to close a school, what happens next?
   All schools will remain open through the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year. A district-led task force will work through all the details and focus on creating a smooth transition and positive student experience when they return in August. The priority will be to invest limited resources in programs and services that benefit students directly, including:

   • Increased opportunities for gifted and accelerated learning

   • Expanded before- and after-school programming

   • Improved learning technology

   • Greater access to specialists and other non-academic support personnel

   • Growing staff salaries for teacher recruitment and retention

   • Improving campuses to provide authentic and innovative experiences

     • Science labs and maker spaces

     • Performing arts areas tailored to specific disciplines

     • Auto lab to work with large equipment

     • Outdoor learning spaces, including gardens

10. What will happen to the closed school buildings?
    Reinventing Roosevelt is about investing in South Phoenix neighborhoods by repurposing some campuses into community service hubs with healthcare services, expanded youth sports and clubs programs, housing, adult education, workforce training opportunities and other resources that create better futures for all.