TUSD holds first public meeting on closures and consolidations | Community

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Tucson Unified School District held the first of three community feedback sessions on Monday at Sahuaro High School to gather public input on school closures and consolidations.

District officials did not announce any immediate school closures or decisions during the session. Instead, they asked the dozens of attendees to answer questions regarding their concerns about potential school closures and consolidations.

TUSD Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo said he wants to gather as much information from the public as possible before presenting a proposal to the school board. Trujillo noted that he personally witnessed a school he attended close in Glendale, Arizona, which helped him understand the emotional impact on families.

“It hits you,” Trujillo said. “We have to respect the fact that these are not just buildings that would be closed. We’re closing out probably one of the most beautiful chapters in peoples lives.”

Trujillo said the district will use the feedback from these sessions to draft a proposal. The plan will likely feature a 10-school package implemented in two phases, with Phase 1 changes starting in the 2027-2028 school year and Phase 2 changes in the 2028-2029 school year.

Community member Melinda Gomez attended the meeting and said transportation was a major concern among her peers, along with the need for the district to remain sensitive to families.

“I think transportation was a big one in our conversation and then also just being sensitive to families,” Gomez said.

The district has scheduled two more public feedback sessions. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Cholla High School from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The final meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at Tucson High School from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The school board is scheduled to vote on the final recommendation on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026.