PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) voted Thursday night to cut jobs as the district grapples with a $20 million budget shortfall for the next school year.
The board voted 5-1 in favor, and more than 160 nonteaching positions are expected to be eliminated.
The superintendent said PXU, like many districts, is experiencing a steep drop in enrollment.
The preliminary reduction-in-force list includes about 168 positions across a wide range of roles, including assistant principals, art content specialists and librarians.
During public comment, many staff members expressed disappointment. Some teachers were joined by students in solidarity, including a performing arts teacher who said, “I’m begging you to reconsider.”
Michelle Delgado, an assistant principal of student success, spoke about her role in crisis management.
“We are the backbone because we are keeping the campus safe,” Delgado said.
Delgado said assistant principal of student success positions involve meeting one-on-one with students about disciplinary concerns to try to determine whether problems at school or at home are causing behavior issues.
“One of my students told me the reason I’m acting up in the classroom is because my parents got deported,” she said.
All assistant principal of student success positions are at risk of being cut. Given a deadly stabbing at Maryvale High School in August, Delgado said she was shocked by the decision.
She called for more transparency about how the decisions were made. At the meeting, a board member said the assistant principal of student success role sees high turnover and requires extensive training, and that cutting it would not affect safety. Board members appeared split over cuts to certain roles.
Another round of job cuts is set for the beginning of the year.
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