ASU Prep parents advocate for bill protecting school lease during Phoenix district turmoil

In a pivotal meeting held on February 11, 2025, the Arizona House Education Committee convened to discuss House Bill 2640, which aims to address the contentious lease situation of ASU Preparatory Academy in Phoenix. The atmosphere was charged with urgency as parents and educators voiced their concerns over the abrupt decision by the Phoenix Elementary School District (PESD) to not renew the school's lease, a move that many felt was made without adequate transparency or community input.

Maria Baskerville, a long-time employee and parent of an ASU Prep student, passionately recounted the impact the school has had on her daughter’s education, highlighting how it transformed her from below reading level to thriving academically. Baskerville criticized the PESD for its lack of communication, noting that families were blindsided by the lease termination, which was added to the agenda with less than 48 hours' notice. “This is not how decisions about schools should be made,” she asserted, emphasizing the need for a fair process that allows families to have their voices heard.

The committee heard from multiple supporters of the bill, including Karina Garcia, who echoed Baskerville's sentiments. Garcia pointed out that while PESD is closing two of its own schools due to declining enrollment, ASU Prep families were not afforded the same consideration or notice regarding their school’s future. “Why shouldn’t ASU Prep families be given the same opportunity?” she asked, calling for equitable treatment in the decision-making process.

The discussions also touched on the procedural aspects of the bill, with Representative Garcia expressing concerns about the implications for existing contractual agreements. However, the consensus among supporters was clear: the bill is essential to ensure that ASU Prep families have a voice in the future of their school.

As the meeting progressed, it became evident that the fate of ASU Prep is not just a matter of real estate but a reflection of broader issues surrounding educational equity and community engagement. The proposed legislation seeks to provide a framework that would require the district to revisit the lease termination process, potentially allowing ASU Prep to continue operating in its current location.

With the committee's deliberations still ongoing, the outcome of House Bill 2640 could significantly impact the educational landscape for over 1,200 students and their families, ensuring that their voices are not lost in the shuffle of bureaucratic decisions. The urgency of the situation underscores the need for transparency and community involvement in educational governance, a theme that resonated throughout the meeting.