[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",6551191,"mediaKeyId","5350062-213b66f2a6bf8b64dea4007b89d6b5a6","parentId",5350062,"title","Parents, teachers urge Chandler Unified to restore part‑time ELD teacher at Jacobson Elementary","audioSeconds",272,"startMs",1018000,"endMs",1290000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5350062-213b66f2a6bf8b64dea4007b89d6b5a6&start=1018&end=1290","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5350062-213b66f2a6bf8b64dea4007b89d6b5a6/thumbnail_1018000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551191/Arizona/Parents-teachers-urge-Chandler-Unified-to-restore-parttime-ELD-teacher-at-Jacobson-Elementary","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551191-291df0158e040c222738fb29e497ad2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771022093&Signature=NNIWiL9tESCdVMscmiQPgdHGThYLhqP88TjPDC5U2tUb~9ozDbJ2P~hOj1AsrYW5BGuB13iXDt3dgT8qpaGFBbTHaYH2l85eu6oAZVvvJQEUutYaK0IHEaUrQ9Xsid85~GvF-hu9VFfaSi3M29GkUQSTaYK20~Hovaira2YEdXC9nNlvJ4t-AqwDMiBA1rznEQ7WiPjFZ4xER4jFfn16yql3rZ~Qq2hK5cZObdAzS2pEKy9qHXzE-d6RtzmGuMos-YS4wVywo0t01VfUpbERzweCQI1Pf9ME-bRVy5~EqzuflxiipjCPvVI4TBkM4wRkYEns~Wf0yQRZ5tc5zUYVnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chandler Unified District","date","2025-07-10T16:14:26Z","article","Dozens of parents, former students and staff described Jacobson Elementary School’s English Language Development program as an essential support for recently arrived multilingual students and urged the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board to restore a part‑time ELD teacher position that the district reassigned.

Thirteen people spoke during the meeting’s public‑comment period on July 9, saying the position’s removal was driven by budget calculations that did not reflect Jacobson’s student needs. “Most of our ELD students come brand new to this country with very limited English proficiency skills,” said Allison Amparano, a fifth‑grade teacher at Jacobson. “The dedicated ELD support isn’t just a nice to have. It is essential.”

Speakers recounted families moving into Jacobson’s attendance area specifically for its ELD program and said the school regularly enrolls students with pre‑emergent or emergent English levels. Retired teacher Kimberly Christ, who said she taught ELD at Jacobson for many years, told the board the program has a strong reclassification rate and that families seek Jacobson because of that history. “How can you eliminate a program just because we got good at instructing our students into English proficiency and testing out of ELD?” she asked.

Several parents and family members — some speaking by written permission for relatives living abroad — described Jacobson’s ELD classroom as a small, safe setting that helped their children learn language and integrate into school life. A parent who said her daughter arrived with no English told the board that, without the specialized instruction and pull‑out support, her child would not have reached gifted programs and extracurricular successes she later achieved.

Teachers and staff representatives asked the district to consider factors beyond a single enrollment snapshot. Emily Halter, a third‑grade teacher at Jacobson, said ELD numbers “always fluctuate and increase throughout the school year,” and that a May total does not necessarily predict July or fall enrollment. Laurel Miller, president of the Educators Union, said the district’s decision was made by counting enrolled ELD students at a single point in time and urged the board to weigh projected arrivals and students’ English proficiency levels as well as historical program strength.

Speakers also described Jacobson’s international reputation, saying families in other countries recruit one another through social media and community networks because the school’s ELD program and staff are well known. Several speakers named Jan Johnson as a longtime ELD teacher whose reassignment to another school prompted much of the public concern.

Board members did not take any immediate action during the public‑comment period. The district’s budget presentation later in the meeting explained that staffing assignments were based on enrollment counts and staffing models; board members and staff described a process of reviewing site requests and weighing districtwide equity, programmatic need and available dollars. Superintendent Frank Narducci and staff said the district monitors enrollment trends early in the year and can make staffing adjustments if student counts shift.

Speakers asked the board to restore at least a part‑time ELD teacher for Jacobson for the 2025–26 year and to consider English proficiency level and midyear arrivals when assigning positions. The public‑comment speakers closed after roughly two hours of testimony; no formal motion regarding the Jacobson ELD position was recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 9, 2025, Chandler USD Governing Board Regular Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of parents, former students and staff described Jacobson Elementary School’s English Language Development program as an essential support for recently arrived multilingual students and urged the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board to restore a part‑time ELD teacher position that the district reassigned.","taxTitle","Chandler Unified District #80 (4242), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",12979,"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},6551182,"Chandler Unified previews hall‑pass portal, student device rules and mandatory‑reporting change; superintendent announces staff death",239,167000,406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5350062-213b66f2a6bf8b64dea4007b89d6b5a6&start=167&end=406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5350062-213b66f2a6bf8b64dea4007b89d6b5a6/thumbnail_167000.jpg","/articles/6551182/Arizona/Chandler-Unified-previews-hallpass-portal-student-device-rules-and-mandatoryreporting-change-superintendent-announces-staff-death","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551182-b88f154826b8eb14c0c084cdfb3d0093/orig.mp4?Expires=1771022093&Signature=hpTD3NZWIOXsNVaoIkF4CatTaCtGDcs6wCAKanPiv-jDYWCQlBu8X8McnYBHgiDnHP6nLiXLa2APNouCrjAwoWCd3dQoJjvm0spGz6azxMxJisXuQN-~c5uIWNTK33Dwo9xXAF-Ps6zCq2b5k7nqSxKZVvCXNdZm3bxVrIm~wTSTKW97MEV8Sreq7Xo-yD7F3vd5LUcVY5P5L-r2msaD4asEeoyq~~KnI1dwMXQZ88rmceuVABS6bBin3hnXDuWtBDOPRR2B8Ci3LhIk9bgsZH-R~BskbxujdtjDkYjCFeKKooXe6jUPkQ0iYYJ~R712CpfEYSeJ125k1sEGTfiCAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Frank Narducci used the July 9 governing board meeting to highlight several operational updates ahead of the 2025–26 school year.

Narducci said parents can now view secondary students’ digital hall‑pass requests in Infinite Campus so they can see when students leave and return to class. He said district officials expect the electronic hall‑pass system to reduce paper and make monitoring easier for teachers and hall monitors.

To support classroom focus and to comply with recent state law, the district’s governing‑board policy on student cell phones was summarized: students may use cell phones or electronic communication devices only when expressly permitted by a teacher for instructional purposes or in emergencies; devices should be turned off and stored in backpacks or purses during class time.

On mandatory reporting, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mike Dela Torre explained legislative changes expanding mandatory‑reporter responsibilities to include board members and substitutes. He said that if school employees or board members reasonably believe a mandatory‑reporting offense occurred they must contact the appropriate agency directly — Department of Child Safety (DCS) and the police when incidents occur at home, and the police agency when incidents happen outside the home — and that districts should call agency dispatch numbers so the proper investigating authority is assigned. Dela Torre said school resource officers are peace officers but the district will call agency dispatch to determine investigative responsibility and that school procedures will not proceed until law enforcement has cleared the campus to do so.

Narducci also noted the district’s anonymous tip line (formerly Lightspeed Alert) will be rebranded as Stop It, and reminded parents to update contact information in Infinite Campus, register for transportation if needed, and watch for a ParentSquare message the following Sunday with back‑to‑school details. He promoted Operation Backpack to School, a community event to distribute backpacks, shoes and basic clothing, and reminded parents to hydrate children during summer events.

He closed the remarks by announcing that district communications director Terry Locke died the prior evening of cardiac arrest and asked the community to keep Mr. Locke’s family in their thoughts.

The board then introduced new administrators, including Trina DeCaro (presented to serve as principal of Willis Junior High School), and recognized students in attendance.","Superintendent Frank Narducci reviewed new parent access to digital hall passes via Infinite Campus, reminded families of a new cell‑phone policy aligned with recent state law, described expanded mandatory‑reporter obligations and announced the death of long‑time communications director Terry Locke",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6551187,"Chandler Unified adopts 2025–26 budget, board approves $4 million truth‑in‑taxation for Weinberg road and adjacent ways",440,2880000,3320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5350062-213b66f2a6bf8b64dea4007b89d6b5a6&start=2880&end=3320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5350062-213b66f2a6bf8b64dea4007b89d6b5a6/thumbnail_2880000.jpg","/articles/6551187/Arizona/Chandler-Unified-adopts-202526-budget-board-approves-4-million-truthintaxation-for-Weinberg-road-and-adjacent-ways","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551187-e289acdb96a924b5021a96ba5a07b3cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771022093&Signature=hpe5Ts-YKbNYE9bG62i4j60sEQxLiKrl3KWiIM94Y3-O1XYfoqzcGu9t7fMXCY0Q1f3Nmwjp4RlsordCYZWQQB7u95ClO8SeSBHUhrHJ3BvUT38tlq2C9fV6qAS0hi6mbvbDsYVlgyhT-~fm2UQ5B0Z4S4b2BB8i~mg0XBoLQd6ymMXcDiD3muB6cPcs9JTsvSKWMuMQuu7jP1vsc~q4ebxmNMFfSk97izaRTxgk5iFGm~ZemRLpOp60n~yHSiUR-e1KlflTXqW7THb82PGOpEudr2W00UO5QaWWTzTkzeqZm2BGHw1mOUzl9vEZH6~A69niSmvL4g7JHtnqFqhhPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chandler Unified School District Governing Board approved the district’s 2025–26 proposed expenditure budget and voted to request a $4 million truth‑in‑taxation increase to pay for roadway and adjacent‑ways projects, including safety improvements near Weinberg Elementary.

During a lengthy public hearing on July 9, budget presenter Lana Berry and district staff described the district’s budget structure, key state funding changes and the need to submit an adopted expenditure budget by mid‑July. Berry told the board the district’s aggregated expenditure budget (the part presented to the state) was about $394 million, while the district’s total budget across 59 funds is approximately $650 million. She said maintenance and operations (M&O) comprised about $349 million of that aggregated total, capital expenditures about $26 million and federal projects roughly $18 million.

Berry reviewed legislative highlights that will change the district’s funding in coming months — including a mandated 2% ongoing base increase under Proposition 301, reinstatement of supplemental funding for students on free and reduced lunch and an increase in capital inflation funding — but she said some of those amounts were approved by the Legislature too late to appear on the forms being adopted that night. The district must bring a revised budget to the board in September to include amounts that were finalized after the auditor‑general’s format was published, Berry said.

Board members asked questions about formula weights, the mechanics of federal grant reimbursements and which funds were included in the aggregated expenditure limit. Several members said they appreciated the presentation’s level of detail and asked staff to follow up with specific project plans; board members asked Tom Dunn, the district’s facilities lead, to provide design materials when they are available for the Weinberg roadway and related traffic projects.

Truth in taxation: The board also held a separate public hearing required before adopting the truth‑in‑taxation notice. Administration said the $4 million request would pay for (a) a roadway and traffic mitigation near Weinberg Elementary, where parent interest and safety concerns have grown with increasing drop‑off and pick‑up activity; and (b) a districtwide pool of funds for adjacent‑ways and infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, bus lanes, fire lanes and utility relocations. The district framed the timing as opportunistic because the bond tax rate is falling this year; staff said they had included only $750,000 for adjacent‑ways in the 2025 bond and sought the additional funds via truth‑in‑taxation instead.

Votes at a glance: The board voted on multiple items tied to the budget process during the meeting. The transcript records the following recorded votes:

- Truth in Taxation notice (requesting $4,000,000 for Weinberg roadway and adjacent‑ways): Motion to recommend approval by Boardmember Modston; second by Boardmember Mendoza. Roll‑call vote recorded as aye from Boardmember Heap, Boardmember Monson, Boardmember Mendoza, Boardmember Rohrs and Board President King. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- 2025–26 Proposed Expenditure Budget (adoption of the 2025–26 annual expenditure budget): Motion by Boardmember Heap; second by Boardmember Rohrs. Outcome: adopted unanimously.

- Consent agenda (routine approvals): Motion and second recorded; the board approved the consent agenda by acclamation earlier in the meeting.

What the vote means for taxpayers: Berry explained the district’s primary qualifying tax rate is set by the state and dropped slightly this year; the district’s combined school tax rate is projected to fall from 5.65 to 5.36 per $100 of assessed value because of assessed value growth and changes to the district’s bond schedule. The $4 million truth‑in‑taxation request would add approximately $9.92 per $100,000 of assessed value (about $9.92 on a $100,000 assessed value) for one year, the district said; staff emphasized the bulk of the district tax rate is the qualifying tax rate set by the Legislature.

Next steps and timing: The district must submit the adopted budget to the County and the State and then return to the board with a September revision to incorporate late legislative allocations (including certain Prop 123 and supplemental weights) and final grant allocations. Berry said the business office will present the annual financial report for the prior year in October and that staff will return with December and May revisions as required by law.

The board approved both measures unanimously and closed the public hearings before moving on to other agenda items.","The board approved the district’s proposed 2025–26 expenditure budget and unanimously approved a $4 million truth‑in‑taxation request to fund a roadway around Weinberg Elementary and other adjacent‑ways projects; budget presenters said the adopted forms will be revised in September after late state allocations","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents, teachers urge Chandler Unified to restore part‑time ELD teacher at Jacobson Elementary

Chandler Unified previews hall‑pass portal, student device rules and mandatory‑reporting change; superintendent announces staff death

Chandler Unified adopts 2025–26 budget, board approves $4 million truth‑in‑taxation for Weinberg road and adjacent ways