Florence Unified officials outline plan to shift from K–8 to K–5 elementary and 6–8 middle schools

Assistant Superintendents Denise Erickson and Thad Gates told a community forum the Florence Unified School District is exploring a shift from K–8 campuses to separate K–5 elementary and 6–8 middle schools, presenting boundary maps, estimated capacities and a timeline that could lead to implementation in the 2025–26 school year.

The district convened an Exploratory Committee made up of transportation, facilities, technology, finance, public relations, special education, athletics, principals, parents and central office staff to evaluate operational impacts and collect parent and staff feedback. Erickson said the initial survey results show parents and staff favor a 6–8 middle-school band over a 7–8 model and that the district hopes to make a recommendation to the School Board in May 2024 followed by a planning year if approved.

Gates said the proposal uses a three-tier bell schedule that would keep high school start times at 7:20 a.m. (day ending about 2:20 p.m.), move middle schools to roughly 9:00 a.m.–3:50 p.m., and keep elementary schools near current K–8 times (about 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.). “This is a 3 tier system that will allow us to better utilize our transportation resources,” Gates said. He added that seventh- and eighth-grade athletics would likely compete in leagues with nearby districts and that the district anticipates adding sports such as track, cross country and coed flag football.

The district proposed repurposing existing campuses to reduce capital costs: Mountain Vista Academy would be relabeled San Tan Middle School with MBA programming moved to the Johnson Ranch campus, and Walker Butte would be converted from a K–8 to a 6–8 middle school. Gates said those buildings were designed as middle schools and repurposing them would limit the need for a capital override.

On boundaries, Gates said one goal is to keep peer groups together from sixth grade upward and to feed each middle school into one of the district’s three high schools. Under the proposed maps, Florence High School would be fed by Anthem, Florence K–8, portions of Copper Basin and Walker Butte; the district estimates Florence High’s population could be around 750 students after the transition while noting that Florence High’s capacity is just over 1,100. Gates also proposed moving all of Magma Ranch into the Poston Butte boundary and repurposing the MBA campus to feed Poston Butte, which the district estimates could reach about 1,600 students after the change. Gates characterized these enrollment figures as estimates, not exact counts.

The presenters said the district will offer selective transportation for students who wish to remain at their current high school for continuity (for example, students already in specialized elective programs or athletics). Gates said athletic eligibility would not be affected and that selective busing could be provided during a phased, three-year implementation as cohorts advance.

Erickson invited community input at three forthcoming in-person presentations—April 15 at Florence K–8, April 22 at Walker Butte K–8 and April 29 at Mountain Vista Academy—and via a QR code and website FAQ that will post staff responses to questions deemed pertinent for parents. She also encouraged interested parents to contact her to join the Parent Advisory Council at derickson@fusdaz.org.

The Exploratory Committee’s maps and proposals are advisory until the School Board reviews staff recommendations. The district plans to present its findings and a formal recommendation in May; implementation would follow a planning year beginning after Board approval and, if approved, roll in for the 2025–26 school year.