The School Board is not operating within a vacuum as it considers layoffs and other budget cuts for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Declining student enrollment is the primary reason that Fountain Hills Unified School District officials are looking at even more cuts – the less students we have attending here, the less money given to the district by the state.

It’s not that simple, however. Fountain Hills as a community may never be the same as it was before the Great Recession. Changing demographics, higher housing prices than other parts of the Valley, highly competitive school choices, a tough business climate, funding choices by the state Legislature and more are all “conspiring” in a way to impact Fountain Hills and who lives, works and plays here.

We believe the School District is working hard to preserve a top-notch educational environment and at the same time continue to offer high quality extra-curricular activities (note championship athletic teams, the FHHS Marching Band, award-winning robotics program and more).

But difficulties in obtaining higher-priced mortgages, higher-than-average rentals and other factors are making it more difficult for younger families to relocate here. And it’s no secret that charter schools, private schools and other public schools “over the hill” continue to attract segments of the student population from Fountain Hills.

Declining student enrollment is not just a FHUSD problem. It is a community problem. The various governmental entities, active citizens and business advocates need to come together to proactively reverse this trend.