Chandler Unified School District Plans Staffing Reductions Amid Enrollment Decline

The Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) is preparing for a projected 3% decrease in student enrollment for the upcoming school year, leading to planned staffing reductions to align with the anticipated decline.

 

With approximately 5,430 employees, the district estimates that about 120 positions, or 2.2% of its staff, will be affected by these adjustments.

 

The Chandler Education Association has voiced concerns, stating that such cuts could significantly impact student services.

 

Declining enrollment has been a trend in recent years, with the district experiencing a loss of nearly 1,000 students in the previous year alone.

 

Superintendent Frank Narducci noted that larger graduating classes are being replaced by smaller incoming kindergarten cohorts, contributing to the overall decrease.

 

To address the budget shortfall, CUSD is considering a 15% maintenance and operations budget override election scheduled for November 2025.

 

This measure aims to secure funding for essential services, including safety personnel, competitive class sizes, teacher salaries, and specialized programs.

 

The district emphasizes its commitment to supporting current staff during this transition, ensuring that affected employees have access to available positions in the 2026-2027 school year.

 

By aligning staffing levels with student enrollment, CUSD aims to maintain fiscal responsibility while continuing to provide quality education to its students.