Related articles:

Four schools again tagged for closure Here are some key questions, answers on TUSD closure plan TUSD school closure proposal missteps at start Four TUSD elementary schools may be shuttered 4 TUSD elementary schools considered for closure Live online chat with TUSD Superintendent ROGER PFEUFFER 42 schools fail fed assessment TUSD votes against closing 4 schools TUSD closures to come up again TUSD should still consider closing schools

Other articles by George Sánchez:

One man's cancer journey'I feel like a chemical factory,' and other stops along the treatment trail The turbulent times of Roger Pfeuffer Horne out of touch, program backers sayDebate on TUSD ethnic studies descends into shouting match TUSD Ethnic Studies targeted TUSD's No. 2 resigns, eyes Marana top job Mystery donor gives $1 million to school School arrest puts TUSD librarian on paid leave 16 students named Merit scholars; most plan to attend UA

Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps Finance and Accounting
Charles E. Gillman Company
Accounting Specialist

New campuses have been selected for autistic and gifted students who would be moved if their schools closed, according to TUSD Superintendent Roger Pfeuffer.

During an online chat hosted by the Arizona Daily Star on Monday, Pfeuffer received more than 90 questions. The chat lasted about 80 minutes but because of time constraints, he was able to answer 38 questions.

The chat centered on Pfeuffer's proposal to save nearly $4 million by shuttering Rogers, Corbett, Wrightstown and Ochoa elementary schools.

The Tucson Unified School District Governing Board will vote on whether to begin the closure process tonight.

In response to the chat's second question, Pfeuffer wrote that students enrolled in the Gifted and Talented Education program at Corbett, 5949 E. 29th St., would be moved to Kellond Elementary, 6606 E. Lehigh Drive.

Autistic students at Rogers, 6000 E. 14th St., would be enrolled at Wheeler Elementary, 1818 S. Avenida del Sol, "which already has a well-running autism program," Pfeuffer wrote.

Along with the proposal to close four schools, Pfeuffer has proposed moving the Downtown Alternative High School and PACE Alternative High School.

During tonight's meeting, the board will also hear proposed changes to TUSD's smaller-class-size initiative, which keeps kindergarten and first-grade classes capped at 18 students.

School closures were first raised by Pfeuffer late last month. TUSD officials estimate the district will save about $1 million per closed school for the 2008-09 school year.

The governing board initially voted against beginning the process leading to school closures, but board member Joel Ireland, who is up for re-election in November, asked to revisit the issue at tonight's meeting.

Pfeuffer wrote in the chat that if the board does not vote to move forward with the closures, he will not propose the idea again.

However, he noted, there are no other cost-cutting methods that will save up to $4 million.

"School closures have to happen," he wrote. "The issue really comes down to which ones."