The TUSD Governing Board has voted to initiate the process to close Carson Middle School.
Four other schools that were recommended for possible closure were let off the hook. They are Dietz Elementary, Dunham Elementary, Wheeler Elementary and Holladay Intermediate Magnet schools.
The 3-2 vote Tuesday night to initiate the process for closing Carson kicks off a 60-day exploration phase in which information will be given to the affected community and public feedback will be sought.
At the end of the 60 days the board will decide whether to move forward with the closing.
The proposal for Carson, should the board decide to close it, would create three or four smaller neighborhood K-8 options by adding grades to existing elementary schools.
Boundaries will also be redrawn for those parents who prefer a traditional middle-school option with the receiving schools being Gridley and Secrist.
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Carson currently uses only 61 percent of its facility and does not do well in attracting students in the area - about half of the students within the school's current boundaries chose to attend other schools.
The recommendations for closing schools comes as Tucson Unified School District continues to deal with declining student enrollment and budget cuts.
The fact that Carson was on the table likely didn't come as a surprise to the school's staff, said TUSD Assistant Superintendent Jim Fish.
Last year, Carson was searching for a school to merge with as projections showed that enrollment was going to continue to decline over the next several years.
Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.
