SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board voted 3-2 to close two schools to avoid a worsening budget shortfall.

Students at Pima Elementary School and Echo Canyon School will be forced to enroll at other schools for the 2026-2027 school year.

The district is reporting an $8 million budget shortfall and attributes financial challenges to rising costs, declining enrollment, increased competition with charters and private schools, and a higher cost of living within the City of Scottsdale.

Governing Board Members Donna Lewis, Mike Sharkey, and Matthew Pittinsky voted in favor of the closures and Amy Carney and Carine Werner voted against the closures.

"Voting yes to close these schools in the upcoming budget is incredibly difficult. I also believe it is the

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