4-1 Vote Closes Discussion
After several weeks of community meetings and discussion, the Roosevelt School District
governing board voted 4-1 to close five schools in the district. According to the district
Superintendent Dr. Dani Portillo, the district was facing a five million deficit, and this
recommended action was critical to the survival of the district.
Four members, including board President Shellie Jackson. Dr. Ashley Hodge, Alexis Aguirre,
and Dr. Megan Frankiewicz, who is also employed by a charter school company in the district,
voted to close the schools down. Veteran board member Lawrence Robinson was the lone no
vote. When explaining her vote, Jackson was quoted,” Making the decision to close, for me is
very personal. Especially as one of the schools that’s being recommended tonight is the one my family went to.”
Robinson was clearly disappointed in the vote and voiced his displeasure. Stated Robinson,
“There are various financial alternatives. The problem is that we are not discussing them. The
first alternative we have is to do what many of our sister districts have done. Which is invest in
affordable housing.” During the meetings Robinson was very vocal and many community
members agreed with him.
The following schools will be closing after the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year:
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary
C.J. Jorgensen Academy
John R. Davis Elementary
V.H. Lassen Academy
Maxine O. Bush Elementary
The post Roosevelt School Board Members Vote to Close 5 Schools appeared first on Arizona Informant.
