Mesa Public Schools board appoints Dr. Matthew Strom as new superintendent effective July 2025

The Mesa Unified District Governing Board held a special meeting on December 4, 2024, to finalize the selection of a new superintendent. The meeting commenced with a procedural motion to reconvene the public session, which was unanimously approved by the board members.

During the session, the board expressed gratitude to the three finalists for the superintendent position and acknowledged the 23 candidates who applied. They highlighted the importance of community involvement in the selection process, noting that over 4,000 Mesa citizens participated through surveys and focus groups. The board emphasized that the extensive engagement included stakeholder feedback sessions, board interviews, and a final interview with the board, which significantly informed their decision.

The board specifically thanked students, staff, community members, and the search firm HYA, particularly team members John Bash, Dr. Christine McDuffie, and Dr. Sylvia Ibarra, for their contributions to the process.

Following the acknowledgments, a motion was made by Dr. O'Reilly to select Dr. Matthew Strom as the new superintendent of Mesa Public Schools, effective July 1, 2025, pending contract negotiations and board approval. The motion received a second from Ms. Davis and was subsequently put to a vote. The board unanimously approved the selection of Dr. Strom.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which was also unanimously approved by the board members. The successful appointment of Dr. Strom marks a significant step for Mesa Public Schools as they prepare for the upcoming leadership transition.