GILBERT, AZ – One of Arizona’s largest school districts informed employees on Friday of a “reduction in strength” for the school year 2021-2022, citing the loss of student enrollment.
ABC15 confirmed with a district spokesman that the reduction affects 152 certified employees, all notified on Friday afternoon.
Certified personnel include positions such as teachers, administrators, school counselors and nurses.
Gilbert Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Shane McCord said in a letter to officials:
“The Gilbert Public Schools, along with many other school districts, face a small number of students going into the next school year after the global pandemic. Decisions like this are not easily made and, as a school district, we highly value all of our We continue to make every effort to increase enrollment next year and we expect many students lost during this pandemic to return to our schools next year. of our decision making, and that we remain fiscally responsible for ensuring the long-term success of our students, staff, schools and our district as a whole. “
The district serves more than 33,000 students at 40 schools in Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa.
The decline in enrollments due to the pandemic is a problem that many districts across the state are facing as they work to prepare their budgets for the next school year.
During the summer, Governor Doug Ducey announced the Enrollment Stabilization Grant Program, which promised that districts and foundations would not lose more than 2% of the previous year’s funding if students went elsewhere. However, the money set aside is already insufficient due to greater than expected declines. This, together with state funding for students at a distance of only 95% of what they finance for face-to-face students, is creating even more financial problems.
A recent report by the Arizona Department of Education said statewide enrollment in traditional public schools has dropped about 6% this year compared to the previous year, while charter schools saw a 9% increase in enrollment. Education officials also say that kindergarten and preschool programs were responsible for around 42% of enrollment declines in the state, with grades 8 through 12 showing small increases at the state level compared to the year. previous school.