Valley school district sees dramatic drop in students, points to new AZ immigration law

Posted: 8:20 PM
By: Corey Rangel

PHOENIX - The effect of Arizona's new immigration law may be making its way into classrooms.

Jeffrey Smith, superintendent of the Balsz Elementary School District, said more than 500 students in the district did not show up on the first day of school this week.

While he admits it’s not unusual for a large number of students to not make it on the first day, he said this year’s number was unusually high compared to previous years.

“It is an indication that it's more severe than it has been in the past and so the indication would be students are leaving the area as a result of the new immigration law,â€