T ears and anger marked the reaction of parents at a hearing last week on Gilbert Public School’s plan to shutter Pioneer Elementary School at the end of this school year.

All GPS Governing Board members and Superintendent Dr. Shane McCord listened as many of the nearly 50 people gave their opinions on the plan.

McCord explained how declining enrollment has impacted most of the district’s 39 campuses and that it is the result of a variety of factors, including a declining birth rate across the country, the high cost of housing that keeps families with young children unable to settle within district boundaries, and competition from both private and charter schools.

Pioneer’s enrollment has been steadily declining, McCord explained, noting it has a current enrollment of 268 students.

Dr

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