Gilbert Public Schools may close elementary school, make boundary changes – AZ Family

Strategic Realignment of Educational Infrastructure in Gilbert Public Schools

Executive Summary: Proposed Campus Consolidation

Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) has initiated a review of its campus infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability and alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education). The district has formally notified parents and community stakeholders of a proposal that includes the potential closure of Pioneer Elementary School, an institution operational since 1984. This measure is being considered as a strategic response to evolving demographic trends to optimize resource allocation and maintain high standards of equitable education across the district.

Impact on SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Communities)

The proposed changes are designed to create a more efficient and sustainable educational framework. However, they necessitate adjustments to existing school attendance boundaries, directly impacting community structure and access to education. The successful implementation of this plan is contingent on upholding the principles of SDG 4 by ensuring that all students continue to have access to inclusive and high-quality learning environments.

The proposed attendance zone expansions would affect the following elementary schools:

• Carol Rae Ranch Elementary
• Val Vista Lakes Elementary
• Harris Elementary

Additionally, a minor adjustment to the attendance boundary between Greenfield Junior High and Mesquite Junior High is proposed. These changes aim to balance enrollment and distribute resources more effectively, contributing to the long-term resilience and sustainability of the community’s educational infrastructure as per SDG 11.

Commitment to Inclusive Institutions (SDG 16) through Public Consultation

In alignment with SDG 16, which promotes responsive, inclusive, and participatory decision-making, Gilbert Public Schools has scheduled a series of community meetings. These forums are intended to provide transparency, present detailed information, and facilitate dialogue with stakeholders, allowing their concerns and perspectives to inform the final decision.

The schedule for community engagement is as follows:

1. November 17, 6 p.m. at Pioneer Elementary
2. November 19, 6 p.m. at Carol Rae Ranch Elementary
3. November 20, 6 p.m. at Val Vista Lakes Elementary
4. November 24, 6 p.m. at Harris Elementary

Regional Context: A Trend Towards Sustainable Resource Management

The challenges faced by Gilbert Public Schools are not unique but reflect a broader regional trend in managing public educational infrastructure sustainably. Other districts are undertaking similar reviews to address declining enrollment and ensure operational efficiency.

• Scottsdale Unified School District is considering the closure of Pima Elementary School and Echo Canyon School, both of which have enrollments below 300 students.
• Kyrene School District has revised an initial proposal and is now considering the closure of seven schools to adapt to demographic shifts.

These regional actions underscore a collective effort to adapt public services to create more sustainable and resilient communities, in line with the objectives of SDG 11.

Governance and Final Decision Timeline

The district’s governance process ensures accountability and structured review. The key dates for the formal decision-making process are:

1. December 9: A Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board meeting will be held to publicly review the proposed changes and consider community feedback.
2. January 27: The Governing Board will conduct an official vote to finalize the decision on the proposed campus changes.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on school closures in Gilbert and other East Valley districts connects to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

   • SDG 4: Quality Education: This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article discusses the closure of elementary and junior high schools, which fundamentally impacts the provision of education, access to learning facilities, and the structure of the local education system. Decisions about which schools to close and how to reassign students are central to ensuring quality and equitable education.
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article touches upon this goal by highlighting changes in community infrastructure and planning. Schools are critical public services and community hubs. Closing a neighborhood school affects community structure, access to services, and requires a participatory planning process, all of which are key components of SDG 11.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. The article addresses this target by discussing the reorganization of school attendance zones. Closing Pioneer Elementary and expanding the zones for other schools directly impacts the principle of equitable access. Students from the closed school will have to travel to new locations, which could create disparities in travel time and access to familiar educational environments. The decision is driven by resource management (“declining enrollment”) aimed at maintaining the overall quality of education within the district’s budget.
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all. While the article focuses on closing facilities rather than building them, this target is relevant to the management and strategic planning of educational infrastructure. The consolidation of schools is a decision about how to best allocate resources to maintain effective learning environments across the remaining facilities. The problem of “declining enrollment” and schools with “fewer than 300 students” suggests that the district is trying to ensure its operational facilities are sustainable and effective.
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management. This target is addressed through the process the Gilbert Public Schools district is undertaking. The article explicitly mentions that “Four neighborhood community meetings will be held to address the changes, give more details and allow attendees to ask questions and raise concerns.” Furthermore, it notes that “community comments will be reviewed and discussed” at a Governing Board meeting. This demonstrates a participatory approach to planning and managing community services, which is a core element of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article mentions or implies several pieces of information that could serve as indicators for the identified targets:

   • For Target 4.1 (Equitable and Quality Education):
     • Indicator (Implied): Student Enrollment Numbers. The article explicitly states that the Kyrene School District’s proposed closures were “due to declining enrollment” and that two schools in Scottsdale have “fewer than 300 students enrolled.” This data is a direct indicator used by districts to make decisions about resource allocation and school viability.
   • For Target 4.a (Education Facilities):
     • Indicator (Implied): Number of educational facilities being closed or consolidated. The article provides specific numbers that can be used as an indicator of infrastructure changes: Gilbert is considering closing one school, Scottsdale is considering two, and Kyrene has revised its plan from nine to seven school closures. This quantifies the scale of the consolidation efforts.
   • For Target 11.3 (Participatory Planning):
     • Indicator (Mentioned): Number of community engagement meetings. The article directly states that “Four neighborhood community meetings will be held.” This is a quantifiable measure of the district’s effort to engage in a participatory planning process with the affected communities. The mention of a future Governing Board meeting to review “community comments” further supports this.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 4: Quality Education	Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.	Student Enrollment Numbers: The article mentions “declining enrollment” and schools having “fewer than 300 students” as reasons for closures.
   SDG 4: Quality Education	Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.	Number of Schools Closed/Consolidated: The article specifies the number of schools being considered for closure in multiple districts (1 in Gilbert, 2 in Scottsdale, 7 in Kyrene).
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.	Number of Public/Community Meetings: The article explicitly states that “Four neighborhood community meetings will be held” to discuss the proposed changes with the public.

Source: azfamily.com