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For the second time in two weeks, four Tucson elementary schools have been recommended for closure by TUSD Superintendent Roger Pfeuffer.

The announcement followed Tuesday-afternoon meetings between Pfeuffer and Tucson Unified School District's employee unions as well as principals of the schools to be closed and schools that would absorb students from the closures.

Along with recommending the closure of Corbett, Ochoa, Rogers and Wrightstown elementary schools, the schools Pfeuffer previously had proposed shuttering, he also announced plans to relocate two alternative-education programs: Downtown Alternative High School, 39 N. Sixth Ave., and PACE Alternative High School, 594 S. Campbell Ave.

During a special governing board meeting last week, Pfeuffer recommended the four elementary schools be closed before the 2008-09 school year begins. The board voted down the proposal.

Following that meeting, Pfeuffer explained that district officials again looked at school campuses for potential closure, including: Rincon and Santa Rita high schools, Naylor Middle School, and Manzo and Menlo Park elementary schools.

But relocating students from those schools to other schools wasn't possible because of capacity or transportation concerns, Pfeuffer said.

"We just didn't have good options there," he said. So TUSD officials returned to the initial schools. They expect to save up to $4 million through the closures.

If the plan is approved, students from Corbett would be sent to Erickson, Kellond and Reynolds elementary schools. Ochoa students would go to Safford Elementary School, Rogers students would be sent to Sewell and Wheeler elementary schools, and Wrightstown students would be sent to Bloom and Henry elementary schools.

TUSD officials are not suggesting closing either alternative-education program but want to relocate the programs to a yet-to-be-determined site, officials said. Students opt in to both programs, which offer individual attention and support for teens unhappy with traditional schools, explained Robert Mackay, TUSD's director of alternative education.

"The one thing that is absolutely crucial is that we don't lose the uniqueness and specialness of those schools," he said.

It is unclear how the proposed closures and relocations would affect teachers and staff, though the president of Education Leaders Inc. (ELI), the employee group that represents principals, administrators, school psychologists and research project managers, endorsed the announcement.

"ELI is supportive of the closure of schools as something that needs to be done in the district," said Pamela Clarridge, also principal of Kellond Elementary School.

Steve Courter, president of the Tucson Education Association, the employee union for teachers and classified staff, said it's too early to tell if school closures, along with changes to class sizes and new state mandates, among other issues, will prompt teacher layoffs. If so, TUSD must notify employees by April 15, he said.

"We're looking at doing something as early as March," Pfeuffer said when asked about notifying teachers and staff about possible work-force cuts.

School closures had been mentioned in past governing board meetings by board member Bruce Burke but became more serious on Jan. 28, when Pfeuffer revealed he would recommend the four elementary schools be closed.

The announcement followed rumors already circulating in the community and outraged community members who felt the proposal came without warning. Hundreds of parents, students, teachers and other employees rallied outside TUSD headquarters last week to defend their schools.

As quickly as the idea came up, it was thwarted by board members — or so it seemed.

The board voted 3-2 on Jan. 29 against initiating the process to shutter schools, which must begin with a public notice and public discussion of the option.

It was clear from the beginning of the meeting that members Judy Burns and Adelita Grijalva were opposed to the possibility of closures. Joel Ireland, who is up for re-election in November, cast the deciding vote, though he initially proposed discussing the closure of the four elementary schools as well as Naylor and Rincon.

Less than 48 hours after the board voted against school closures, Ireland requested the topic be placed on the agenda for the board's Feb. 12 meeting.

After the emotional discussion and board vote, TUSD Chief Executive Officer Beatriz Rendon gave the board a report that included a projected deficit of at least $15 million for the 2008-09 school year.

During the report, Rendon introduced five cost-saving measures. Her recommendations included raising previously lowered class sizes, as well as teacher and staff cuts, program consolidation and across-the-board budget cuts.

District officials also are concerned about a multimillion-dollar state mandate that calls for four hours of English instruction for non-English-speakers next year. It remains unclear how the mandate, which could cost more than $40 million to implement, will be funded.

Even before Tuesday's announcement, parents from at least one school had begun organizing against closure.

About 120 parents at Rogers Elementary assembled Friday night to discuss the potential closure of their school and come up with cost-savings suggestions for TUSD officials. Their suggestions, which included increasing enrollment, were delivered to the TUSD governing board office Tuesday afternoon.

"We wanted to show the district that we feel there's a more creative solution than shuttering the school, especially because it's high-performing," said Jay Kirch, parent of a fourth-grader and a second-grader at Rogers. "The district should be showcasing this school and working to improve enrollment."

1. Ochoa Elementary School, 101 W. 25th St., Enrollment: 250

2. Rogers Elementary School, 6000 E. 14th St., Enrollment: 266

3. Corbett Elementary School, 5949 E. 29th St., Enrollment: 575

4. Wrightstown Elementary School, 8950 E. Wrightstown Road, Enrollment: 163

Source: TUSD Web site