TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A southern Arizona school district on the state\u2019s high-risk list is revealing what that warning means.<\/p>\n
For the first time, a superintendent is describing the tipping point that can lead to school closures.<\/p>\n
Sierra Vista superintendent Terri Romo has been in the role for less than a year, taking over a district already under financial strain.<\/p>\n
Years of decline<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were heading towards a cliff,\u201d Romo said.<\/p>\n
A cliff that didn\u2019t appear overnight. The warning signs had been building for years \u2014 rising costs and declining enrollment.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur trajectory for 10 years has been going down. We\u2019ve known we needed to keep an eye on it,\u201d Romo said.<\/p>\n
The district had already lost around 2,000 students. Then COVID hit, followed by relief funds. Romo said that helped prop up day-to-day operations but masked the problem.<\/p>\n
As that funding faded, state auditors found the district turned to capital funds \u2014 money meant for long-term needs \u2014 to keep up with daily costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you start doing that, that is a sign that you are financially at risk and that you\u2019re having to basically borrow money for what should be used to take care of the facilities and pay your people,\u201d Romo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did that delay do?\u201d 13 News asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt kind of kicked the can down to being at the edge of a cliff,\u201d Romo said.<\/p>\n
Accelerating losses<\/p>\n
In just one year, those reserves dropped by about a third \u2014 roughly $2 million.<\/p>\n
Enrollment losses accelerated as school choice expanded \u2014 from about 200 students a year to 300, and now another 350.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo lose the $3 million last year. Now we\u2019re heading into $5 million \u2014 and if we have even fewer students, it could be even more,\u201d Romo said. \u201cEvery single one of our schools is under 50% utilization.\u201d<\/p>\n
The system can no longer absorb the loss, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen your budget is made up of people — the majority of it is people — there\u2019s very few places to cut other than people,\u201d Romo said.<\/p>\n
School closures<\/p>\n
The district moved to close Bella Vista Elementary School \u2014 its newest building but smallest campus. Its last bell rings at the end of this school year.<\/p>\n
Joyce Clark Middle School is now being considered for closure.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo when did the district come to that decision where this is the tipping point and this has to be considered?\u201d 13 News asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the true tipping point that caused action would have been just last year. When should the tipping point have been, in my opinion, it should have been either right before COVID or right after COVID,\u201d Romo said.<\/p>\n
It didn\u2019t take long for the district to be flagged. It was placed on the Auditor General\u2019s Highest Financial Risk list last school year. This school year, the number of risk indicators doubled \u2014 from three to six.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had no idea,\u201d Romo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo this was shocking to you?\u201d 13 News asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know. I yeah, I did not know. As soon as I knew that we were on the auditor\u2019s list, I did a presentation for the governing board the next week,\u201d Romo said.<\/p>\n
Now, she\u2019s trying to right-size the district and get off the Auditor General\u2019s list.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told the legislature, I don\u2019t want to be back here again for being financially at risk,\u201d Romo said. \u201cIt took years to get in this situation. I am just now in charge and I\u2019m not foolish to think that I can fix it overnight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Romo said she understands staff and families fears and frustrations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a touchpoint to every one of these schools. These are our hometown schools. It\u2019s difficult on my heart, but my head understands,\u201d Romo said. \u201cEverybody wants what\u2019s best for the district and no, it\u2019s time. The reality is here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Romo said the board is expected to weigh her recommendation this week \u2014 whether to move forward with closing the middle school or take a different path.<\/p>\n
You can watch previous coverage below.<\/p>\n
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