[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6539762,"mediaKeyId","3535049-58cff4d66c1ba4e61335fa96fde04428","parentId",3535049,"title","Parents and community speakers urge board to reconsider preschool changes, school closures and staff decisions","audioSeconds",121,"startMs",5977000,"endMs",6098000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3535049-58cff4d66c1ba4e61335fa96fde04428&start=5977&end=6098","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3535049-58cff4d66c1ba4e61335fa96fde04428/thumbnail_5977000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6539762/Arizona/Parents-and-community-speakers-urge-board-to-reconsider-preschool-changes-school-closures-and-staff-decisions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539762-413a24fd3a4858679831ce46d74dfda3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159157&Signature=d3RMdUwBntQ6hXMSQSFnUShY2NjXvk65tbRu5gcWQzMnefFYs1IU78TRtnUeUFmTxQhQ5xOSOoeKAv18xJ75xYHkYflEKzcSY6j9Au5j2oJEEvdclku-2fFjEknWtwk7rFRi5~SagIWQ06lLevOcx2vd5SU72SMKSkjyLXxITSWtH2oaEelIajtpSvhLUGG4iNe0Xo4S350zDghCMTIVI0T2~SvQVl0NRi0GJND-yjSZDui5xVU7CErUKDL63TctQMz6fuV3UxoQNS-rJjcM5cTh~JAc8oESIK2PmZyxinuR3wftxBx4Xb~GyAXFA06mmN5MyEW7bn-yQ4ocoPwO9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Phoenix Elementary District ","date","2025-05-27T22:33:12Z","article","A sizable group of parents, teachers and community advocates used the Phoenix Elementary District Governing Board’s public-comment period on May 27 to press the board on recent school closures, changes to preschool offerings and staffing decisions.

Speakers said recent moves have created instability for students and families. Allison Gulick, a parent, told the board she had seen children “shuffled between schools” and accused the district administration of creating chaos by closing campuses and eliminating programs. “Children aren’t magically resilient,” she said. “This district belongs to the taxpayers, the parents and the students.”

Multiple speakers expressed alarm about a change in preschool access and fees. Several commenters said the district had previously indicated that closing two schools was necessary to preserve free preschool but that new messaging shifted to charging full-day preschool tuition of $500–$750 per month at some sites. Parents and staff asked for clarity on whether preschool would be offered on a sliding scale, whether tuition contracts would guarantee services such as transportation and whether fees would be prorated when families withdraw.

Joseph Leon, a Shaw Montessori parent, submitted a written comment asking whether the board or community had been involved in the decision to add tuition, whether a governing policy on fees exists and whether the new tuition proceeds would be ring‑fenced for preschool. Paul Wilford, a parent and staff member, said he felt “played” after supporting closures that were said to be necessary to preserve preschool without learning of the later tuition plan.

Community advocates also urged the board to include Emerson Elementary on the November ballot so neighborhood nonprofit G Road could pursue a long-term land lease and build a community center adjacent to the school. G Road representatives and local residents described the group’s after-school programs and urged the board to allow the lease question to go to voters.

Several speakers also raised concerns about personnel decisions: Angelica Luna named specific administrators and employees she said had been promoted or paid while teachers left the district, and other commenters described nonrenewals and reassignments that they said disrupted services for students with special needs.

Board members generally listened without engaging in extended discussion during the public‑comment period; the board later expanded the list of parcels in the ballot authorization after hearing community requests to include Emerson.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Governing Board Meeting 5/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of public commenters pressed the Phoenix Elementary board to restore preschool access, questioned school closures and raised staffing and transparency concerns; some urged inclusion of Emerson parcel on the ballot to enable a community center.","taxTitle","Phoenix Elementary District (4256), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",38273,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6539767,"Votes at a glance: Phoenix Elementary board approves monitoring reports, policy JL, pay plan and ballot authorization",2151,3796000,5947000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3535049-58cff4d66c1ba4e61335fa96fde04428&start=3796&end=5947","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3535049-58cff4d66c1ba4e61335fa96fde04428/thumbnail_3796000.jpg","/articles/6539767/Arizona/Votes-at-a-glance-Phoenix-Elementary-board-approves-monitoring-reports-policy-JL-pay-plan-and-ballot-authorization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539767-289c4f10d6949538c988160155d47c1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159157&Signature=D024E-qoneVnkXOiEp9DqUB7lxNqQGwCTSDiJdBs1SrfwqJtOIDgu1oBx1Y7QaZmDMdo6C73Lm8jyyYfO8sGIACKK2I08a8DdVNvRW57HgAWSKbsGnExLBjnBcvj~YJlPkHmZzhMkgd3SxeB-Fw4h7QLgf~LBK5IuRmGdOwmd8~eobglL~Iq1zwRa~v~Kl85bM7iXMKCVWmppgVkOytuVPLFBP2QZbFBf806~wOQg0-mfjZd1ALlT9IjEG2IHortAX~XBazaR1Hx4kRn6Yzm3pusJzLQnixg9k~C~hnC7rDLIrYRM8JCoMEluxwHGVsGIPpK41X6tqDZa3kShNflZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Phoenix Elementary District Governing Board took several formal actions May 27, approving progress reports on board goals and superintendent guardrails, adopting a student wellness policy on second reading, adopting a professional support staff and administrative pay plan for stipends, and authorizing placement of a property disposition question on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Key roll-call votes and outcomes: 1) Approval of the Student Outcomes-Focused Governance progress monitoring report for board goal No. 3 (English learner proficiency progress): mover and seconder on the record; roll call — Erica De La Rosa: aye; Dr. Alicia Vink: aye; Carmen Trujillo: aye. Outcome: approved.

2) Approval of the progress monitoring report for Superintendent Guardrail No. 3 (hiring/onboarding/recruitment processes and a drafted employee handbook): roll call — Erica De La Rosa: aye; Dr. Alicia Vink: no; Carmen Trujillo: aye. Outcome: approved.

3) Approval of the progress monitoring report for Superintendent Guardrail No. 4 (equitable allocation of resources, strategic tutoring, civic funds formula and partnerships): roll call — Erica De La Rosa: aye; Dr. Alicia Vink: no; Carmen Trujillo: aye. Outcome: approved.

4) Adoption of policy JL (student wellness) on second reading: roll call — Erica De La Rosa: aye; Dr. Alicia Vink: aye; Carmen Trujillo: aye. Outcome: adopted.

5) Adoption of the 2025–26 professional support staff and administrative supplementary and nominal fee pay plan (stipends): roll call — Erica De La Rosa: aye; Dr. Alicia Vink: aye; Carmen Trujillo: aye. Outcome: adopted.

6) Approval of amended resolution calling a special election authorizing sale, lease, or exchange of district properties (expanded list of parcels): roll call — Erica De La Rosa: aye; Dr. Alicia Vink: aye; Carmen Trujillo: aye. Outcome: approved and placed on Nov. 4 ballot.

Board members discussed each item and asked staff for follow-up details. For guardrail and staffing items, staff reported 104 employees reassigned following school closures and reductions, and current classroom vacancies were listed at five, with 11 special-education vacancies and two open IEP specialist positions (IEIS) noted. For the property ballot authorization, staff will draft ballot language and a voter information pamphlet explaining current preference for leases and clarifying there is no present intent to sell properties.

The board approved the consent agenda as amended earlier in the meeting and adjourned at 7:38 p.m.","At its May 27 meeting the Phoenix Elementary District board approved multiple governance and operational items, including student-outcomes monitoring reports, a student wellness policy, a stipends/pay plan and the ballot authorization to dispose of district properties.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":81,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6539772,"Phoenix Elementary board approves expanded ballot measure to authorize lease or exchange of district properties",1210,4737000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3535049-58cff4d66c1ba4e61335fa96fde04428&start=4737&end=5947","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3535049-58cff4d66c1ba4e61335fa96fde04428/thumbnail_4737000.jpg","/articles/6539772/Arizona/Phoenix-Elementary-board-approves-expanded-ballot-measure-to-authorize-lease-or-exchange-of-district-properties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539772-e822b1b213899462bb005e3d024b439a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159157&Signature=Drxt-b6o7SjstX1f2fRLolSuuQQYHq0kRE3Q~GBi1QlmgV6sPb96CkdyS2cyWAoAZRHbZNeeBcYwOumZJgpYZVwCM0b91SF-NxAbk6ZfI0Ui96mPtM3yY9wo1wZgfx1KNBc28ki71fnbiEw18hPWlk~VgWTkggx~M0xCtwnuywA-G2lCm7w22w1N4L07CmhwjU3TviVbYZ12PTqtbOMZjT78k7kQQScQLp7iT~WJxqjp3oS8f5Uhz5CXzHK15CFTQYIxhh7lDZN9h8XtrqIiRFHXLdlws3uiMiKsiFbMIWUuMDILMEgZsDwgArczpq03SDMAPAxbj9u63Zjb8sHgNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Phoenix Elementary District Governing Board voted unanimously May 27 to place a revised resolution on the Nov. 4 ballot that authorizes the sale, lease or exchange of district-owned properties, expanding the list of parcels to include sites not previously authorized and administrative properties.

Board President Carmen Trujillo said the amended resolution would allow the district flexibility to pursue long-term lease arrangements and other revenue-generating uses of land. “We want to be strategic and thoughtful with those buildings,” Sarah Sims, the district’s executive director of strategic initiatives, told the board during a presentation on land-use hypotheticals.

The vote followed more than an hour of public comment during which community members and nonprofit representatives pushed specifically to include the Emerson Elementary parcel so a local nonprofit, G Road, could pursue a long-term land lease to build a neighborhood center adjacent to the school. Jesse Stanton, writing for G Road in an electronic comment read at the meeting, said the group serves more than 200 Emerson students with after‑school care and needs a lease to begin fundraising for a center.

Sims described hypothetical uses for district land including a community center at Emerson, a sports complex at Lowell and combined rec/performing arts uses on other parcels. She said lease revenue is “much more flexible,” and that the district prefers leases over sales because leases can generate ongoing funds for programs such as preschool, enrichment, and field experiences.

Board members asked staff and legal counsel to include qualifying language clarifying there is no present intent to sell properties and requested explanatory language be added to the voter information pamphlet. Jim Gill, outside counsel, said the board may qualify the ballot language to state a present intent not to sell but noted a future board could change course.

After discussion, board member Kylie moved to adopt an amended resolution calling a special election to authorize disposition of all district properties not currently authorized; President Trujillo seconded. The board then took a roll-call vote: Erica De La Rosa — aye; Dr. Alicia Vink — aye; Carmen Trujillo — aye. With that the amended resolution passed.

Community speakers at the meeting urged separate votes for individual parcels, saying voters may have different views about different properties. Several callers asked the board to add Emerson specifically to the list so G Road could seek a lease longer than 20 years; district staff and counsel noted that certain partners, especially residential developers, often seek much longer leases (a presenter said some developers will not proceed without 75‑year terms) and that the district would retain discretion over any final agreements.

The board did not adopt any immediate sales or leases during the meeting; instead it approved placing the question on the ballot and directed staff to prepare ballot language and voter‑information materials that explain the district’s current preference for leases and the lack of an intent to sell now.

The board and staff said details about any future lease or development — including whether a parcel would be split to preserve an on-site school while leasing remaining land — would return to the board for approval. Legal counsel confirmed that the ballot authorization would allow the district to proceed with the public election but that any actual transaction would require subsequent board action.

The board’s action came amid broad public comment about district plans for school closures, preschool program changes and concerns about transparency. Several speakers asked the board to treat each parcel separately on the ballot; others urged approval to allow community partners to move forward with fundraising and programming plans.

The board scheduled follow-up work with counsel and staff to finalize ballot language and the voter pamphlet materials ahead of the November election.","After public push to include Emerson, the governing board voted to place a revised resolution on the Nov. 4 ballot authorizing the sale, lease or exchange of district property; board and legal staff said current intent is to pursue leases and not immediate sales.","actionData","errors"]

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Parents and community speakers urge board to reconsider preschool changes, school closures and staff decisions

Votes at a glance: Phoenix Elementary board approves monitoring reports, policy JL, pay plan and ballot authorization

Phoenix Elementary board approves expanded ballot measure to authorize lease or exchange of district properties