On the morning of Dec. 9, Scottsdale Unified School District announced a celebratory Dec. 13 ribbon cutting on a project “to transform the former Tonalea Elementary School site into the new 68th and Oak Street Athletic Facility.”

SUSD Superintendent Scott Menzel called the project “an amazing community asset,” saying, “The revitalized site serves as both a gateway to the neighborhood and a hub for community connection.”

Even with the holidays approaching, the mood was hardly joyful hours later – when the SUSD board decided the fate of two other elementary schools that may join Tonalea’s path.

Pima Elementary and Echo Canyon K-8 will close, after a 3-2 vote.

Amy Carney and Carine Werner, both up for reelection in 2026, vehemently opposed votes to close the two schools.

Board Presiden

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