Op-Ed: Elections Have Consequences. So Do School Closures.

By Jeanne Beasley

Elections have consequences. This week, Scottsdale families saw just how significant those consequences can be when the Governing Board voted 3-2 to close two more neighborhood schools.

Copper Ridge and Laguna will join Pima and Echo Canyon as schools our community is losing. Four schools in less than a year. Behind every closure are students, teachers, families, and neighborhoods forever changed.

Schools are more than buildings. They are places where friendships form and communities connect. Closing a school disrupts families, changes boundaries, can increase commutes, and weakens the connections that make Scottsdale special.

Yes, declining enrollment is a real challenge, and responsible financial decisions must be made. But school closures should be a last resort, not the first solution.

Before closing another school, we should be asking: What more can we do to attract families? Have we explored partnerships and better uses of existing facilities? Have we fully considered the consequences alongside projected savings? Have we listened to parents choosing other educational options?

We cannot close our way to a stronger school district. We must give families compelling reasons to choose SUSD and explore every reasonable alternative before making irreversible decisions.

As a longtime Scottsdale resident, former SUSD parent, and candidate for the Governing Board, I believe our community deserves leaders who ask difficult questions, welcome public input, support school staff, and put students at the center of every decision.

School closures are decisions that can shape neighborhoods for generations. So are the decisions we make about who leads our district.

The future of Scottsdale’s public schools deserves thoughtful, long-term leadership. Vote for Jeanne Beasley and Amy Carney for the Scottsdale Unified Governing Board on or before Nov. 3. Learn more at: www.SUSDstrong.com 

Jeanne Beasley is a candidate for the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board