Peoria Unified in the US to close two elementary schools: Here’s why falling enrolment is reshaping local education

Peoria Unified School District will close Kachina Elementary and Pioneer Elementary in the 2026–27 school year due to declining enrollment and budget pressures, with students reassigned to nearby schools. The decision follows public hearings and is part of a broader restructuring plan that includes changes to high school models and expansion of specialized academies. Superintendent Dr. K.C. Somers has also resigned, effective June 12, to take a new position elsewhere, marking a major leadership transition.