Story perspectives

ASDB Votes to Relocate Tucson Campus Amid Controversy

2/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB) voted 5-2 to move Tucson campus to Oro Valley due to budget deficits and low enrollment.
The move is expected to yield 70 layoffs.
Parents worry blind and visually impaired students may attend separate cluster sites.
Families filed a lawsuit over insufficient notice and transparency.
Community members urged communication and inclusion and noted the Amphitheater School District lease remains unsigned.

History

Historical Context

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 mandated free public education for children with disabilities, significantly impacting institutions like the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB). By 2020, around 6.1 million students received special education services. Facing budget shortfalls and declining enrollment, ASDB plans to relocate its Tucson campus in 2026, reflecting ongoing challenges in providing adequate resources.

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Story summary

Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB) voted 5-2 to move Tucson campus to Oro Valley due to budget deficits and low enrollment.
The move is expected to yield 70 layoffs.
Parents worry blind and visually impaired students may attend separate cluster sites.
Families filed a lawsuit over insufficient notice and transparency.
Community members urged communication and inclusion and noted the Amphitheater School District lease remains unsigned.

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