[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6588119,"mediaKeyId","5448590-2b5ee757f6389e4fec7b83749f8f11c1","parentId",5448590,"title","Governing Board approves grants, intergovernmental agreements and travel budget in unanimous votes","audioSeconds",1516,"startMs",2292000,"endMs",3808000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448590-2b5ee757f6389e4fec7b83749f8f11c1&start=2292&end=3808","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448590-2b5ee757f6389e4fec7b83749f8f11c1/thumbnail_2292000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588119/Arizona/Governing-Board-approves-grants-intergovernmental-agreements-and-travel-budget-in-unanimous-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588119-4f9a94c6127726fff41392760bc9f53b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936669&Signature=nvhA9aDnGzbmRfOKFSjXQGgDfbz5RyKCleL3eLiBM7d1b-pmDJDjEMwBz5i1SNr7Zavjw6NALf0docByS4mRp3vMp7oM4bcvwVxxBjqSMr5zbt4W-I1t5pHKIW9Cwf76cYn6p6kw5YkbvTcfdxqkpafkMv~B7tnqXWTW9izp0aDcOmocn6Sc460RAcVyo2W~VYE024U1MC3OfR7q8NBrBwgze8OO6~THM-dCJHk2ViCwGMXn0~tYJqU1G3QF1~iDz3ciI6jDhVnDW8cmIekdigGThPFfZ2kkrBhbWi9Y78mcrb6z1saWDEQVuKG61Ljvas98jIdILrLqesflisXw2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mesa Unified District, AZ ","date","2025-07-23T03:42:39.3Z","article","The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board voted unanimously on multiple consent and action items at its July 24 meeting.

The board approved the personnel request and the full consent agenda with a voice vote of 5 yeas. Minutes show the board then approved several action items: a grant application for the Inspire Teaching Exceptional Learning (ITEL) program (acceptance of funds if awarded); an interagency partnership agreement with Maricopa County Head Start CACFP; an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) for Career Technical Education satellite programming; and a travel/registration/membership budget for governing board professional development not to exceed $2,000 per board member, with an amendment that board travel follow the district General Administrators Meeting guidelines. Each of those action items passed 5-0.

Board members asked for follow-up reporting on several approved items. Board members requested an end-of-year report on the ITEL grant if funds are awarded, and staff said they will provide updates on implementation and substitute-day use. For the EVIT agreement the district said it will provide ongoing monitoring tied to student outcomes and that a districtwide approach to meeting teacher industry experience expectations will be phased in; staff said satellite programming and a potential EVIT central campus on one Mesa high school site will be pursued with further planning.

The board also approved the interagency partnership with Maricopa County Head Start CACFP and the EVIT IGA with 5 yeas. Superintendent and staff answered procedural and accountability questions during discussion for each item.

Votes at a glance

- Personnel request (including addendum): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved, vote 5 yeas. (Transcript blocks: personnel motion 2084–2138)

- Consent agenda (items as recommended): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved, vote 5 yeas. (Transcript blocks: consent 2221–2263)

- INSPIRE Teaching Exceptional Learning (ITEL) grant: motion to approve grant request and acceptance of funds if granted; outcome: approved, vote 5 yeas. Board discussion referenced metrics, sustainability, professional learning and that Instruction Partners will deliver professional learning funded through an ASU subgrant; staff said $250,000 was budgeted in the grant for subs, stipends and off-contract teacher work. (Transcript blocks: public comment and ITEL discussion 1878–2069 and 2292–3316)

- Interagency partnership: Maricopa County Head Start CACFP: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved, vote 5 yeas. (Transcript blocks: 3819–3856)

- Intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with EVIT for Career Technical Education satellite: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved, vote 5 yeas. Board discussion addressed outcome-based funding in the IGA, teacher industry experience expectations, monitoring and a potential EVIT satellite or central campus on a Mesa campus. (Transcript blocks: 3914–5047)

- Governing Board conference registration and membership budget FY25-26 (not to exceed $2,000 per board member), with amended language that board travel follow GAM guidelines: motion moved and amended; outcome: approved, vote 5 yeas. (Transcript blocks: 5048–5575)

Notes

- Board members repeatedly asked staff for follow-up reports and clearer implementation metrics. When the board approved the ITEL grant, staff committed to operational details being worked out with principals, Instruction Partners and ASU if the grant is awarded.

- Vote counts reported in the meeting were all five 'yeas' for the recorded action items; no recorded no votes, abstentions or recusals appeared in the transcript for these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Governing Board Regular Board Meeting - July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board voted unanimously on a series of grants, agreements and a travel budget during its July 24 regular meeting, approving the ITEL grant application, interagency and intergovernmental agreements and routine consent items.","taxTitle","Mesa Unified District (4235), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",13601,"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},6588109,"District reports decline in dropout rate; principals cite care teams, block scheduling and partnerships",907,8501000,9408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448590-2b5ee757f6389e4fec7b83749f8f11c1&start=8501&end=9408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448590-2b5ee757f6389e4fec7b83749f8f11c1/thumbnail_8501000.jpg","/articles/6588109/Arizona/District-reports-decline-in-dropout-rate-principals-cite-care-teams-block-scheduling-and-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588109-b20e964b908d9f729f02b5ceb451da06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936669&Signature=BERJPXP9Gp--orJc~exC57VhDgF-DfDKNFvfaRLI0oO0SHUpErQxpiN1oY7-pPDJg0ZFK4kkFcfYRaRmJ89etToobAbxYe2pQVYgpvTmDmlSaIb2w7TG9h5XtmYXYXA6mgk~0i0UFv8fTLWS5ee6RRE0hBKr2xNRhv8auu3uOnPe-5XKo9WiaOvdfH0Ni-yvszqAUTWuV9f9ANLUio5v5J3CvkwTcoAhVgdXkyAjY9PTCFUthnVNH6GVO~a4kEjYpU9vSVCKncrvC7yu2BiFx-JOieXv7GTuXrlJGlRy3434h4~CcnnDp856bypyOVxR5GI7iqxJ-0IWyvqjyy7rgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa Public Schools staff reported a decline in the district dropout rate for grades 7–12 and described school‑level strategies that officials say are helping retain students and support on‑time or near‑term graduation.

Doctor Glassmeyer and site leaders from Carson High School and Dobson High School described data clean‑up and operational changes the district implemented to identify and support at‑risk students earlier. Doctor Glassmeyer described districtwide improvements across multiple subgroups, noting declines for students identified as limited English proficient and for American Indian/Alaska Native students.

Carson High School leaders described a formalized care‑team process that meets weekly or biweekly to coordinate attendance outreach, social‑emotional supports and academic interventions. Carson leaders also cited partnerships with the Salt River community, attendance monitoring and structured follow‑up as contributors to improved retention. Principal Buckley said staff streamlined student‑tracking systems and set up targeted interventions so students who enroll credit‑deficient can quickly address gaps.

Dobson High School leaders similarly credited block scheduling, targeted credit recovery and counseling interventions for allowing credit‑deficient students to make faster progress toward graduation. Staff emphasized that smaller interventions—attendance meetings, case management, one‑to‑one outreach and community partners—helped prevent students from disengaging and becoming long‑term dropouts.

Board members asked technical questions about how the state defines a dropout and how the district tracks students who leave Arizona or who register as homeschoolers. Staff explained there is a withdrawal code for homeschooling and a state dropout tracker that can show whether a student re‑enrolled elsewhere in Arizona; auditors review withdrawal codes and the district must document records to support those codes.

District staff said improvements are the result of layered interventions and better data practices rather than a single policy change, and they committed to continuing the work.","Mesa staff reported districtwide declines in dropout rates for grades 7–12 and highlighted targeted interventions at high schools and junior highs, including care teams, block scheduling and community partnerships that district leaders credited for improvements.",{"_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},6588113,"District explores Franklin K–12 expansion, Shepherd 7–12 academy and participatory staffing at small schools",708,5588000,6296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448590-2b5ee757f6389e4fec7b83749f8f11c1&start=5588&end=6296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448590-2b5ee757f6389e4fec7b83749f8f11c1/thumbnail_5588000.jpg","/articles/6588113/Arizona/District-explores-Franklin-K12-expansion-Shepherd-712-academy-and-participatory-staffing-at-small-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588113-96b0f0c986950317270d6c539a1aa1aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936669&Signature=E2PCJ3Momx1yExugkSofgF04XvhhMUafW2W9~QyCM3NAMiK-JKw59J5Hmy8AbGFwuEID~ryKyiCrWleSLbscQ9m0T4wGGfNEx-QOJs2q9qWPZlOA1ManhBGAHChFQYUEZ7f-wMy7WhCsZg-vXKSK60QJPdoXQ5tQOmg-XEN-KPXRxSfwfrS88~X1FrNkC8FJryEzHFKBHBkZtiouoa3L8cJiqQJWl3Q1XW~SYyHnpNgPaiqrOqFE~mgZMMVJnI7VzsM6UlJJ-RnePOjrbiYUeVX4i2tjEJZmZExttwbcezzcaUmcPgPg1QgqBxyzGp7SbNf7Q6euGR41eKsWBUBbnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District leaders presented three linked proposals as planning items for the 2026–27 school year: (1) explore converting Franklin/Brimhall from K–8 to a phased K–12 school (rollout by grade over several years), (2) expand Shepherd junior high into a small 7–12 College Prep Academy, and (3) begin a participatory staffing pilot at five small schools that would allow site communities to recommend staffing models and special-area emphases.

Franklin/Brimhall: staff said parents requested the Franklin expansion and district enrollment trends motivated an evaluation of capacity. Brimhall currently has 55 classrooms but staff estimated a 150‑student K–12 configuration would require about 69 classrooms, not counting specials (music, PE, art). Staff said they are considering a paired model (Wilson Elementary as a K–4 campus and Brimhall as a 5–12 campus) because of building capacity. The district intends to present a recommendation to PABDEC (the boundary advisory committee) on August 18; PABDEC hearings and public hearings were scheduled across September with an anticipated governing‑board decision and recommendation from PABDEC on October 23. Staff emphasized that any boundary changes will follow board policy and include mailers, ParentSquare notifications and public hearings.

Shepherd 7–12 College Prep Academy: Shepherd Principal Jill Benza described community outreach and planning. Shepherd staff have surveyed families, reviewed course sequencing and met with district staff to map a 7–12 course pathway. Shepherd emphasized smaller cohorts and arts programming (band, chorus, musicals) and said athletics offerings would be limited (no football). Principal Benza said some junior high teachers already have credentials to teach high‑school courses; the district noted there will be professional‑learning and certification pathways for staff who need secondary credentials.

Participatory staffing pilot: five small schools (Washington, Lehi, O'Connor, K–8 STEM at Red Mountain Ranch, and Shepherd) will engage parents and school communities this fall to recommend staffing models and special‑area emphases aligned to available budget and enrollment. Staff described this as an approach for small schools to preserve campus viability by tailoring programs (for example, a music academy or a STEM focus) to local needs while staying within revenue/expense constraints.

Board members asked detailed questions about impacts on neighboring schools, transportation and preserving the Wilson family legacy; staff said they will meet with affected principals and communities, and will provide PABDEC and public hearings as required. The district stressed that choice and niche programming must be balanced with comprehensive high‑school offerings and that the intent is to retain students who otherwise leave the district at grade transitions.","District staff presented proposals to expand Franklin to a K–12 campus (a phased rollout), a Shepherd 7–12 College Prep Academy proposal and a participatory staffing pilot at five small schools; PABDEC hearings and boundary work were scheduled as next steps.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":46,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6588116,"Board approves ITEL grant application; staff outlines metrics, ASU subgrant and training plan",1497,2311000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448590-2b5ee757f6389e4fec7b83749f8f11c1&start=2311&end=3808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448590-2b5ee757f6389e4fec7b83749f8f11c1/thumbnail_2311000.jpg","/articles/6588116/Arizona/Board-approves-ITEL-grant-application-staff-outlines-metrics-ASU-subgrant-and-training-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588116-0d70e954d44d0b36825d704d43ad2d68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936669&Signature=X2mQND1jEiLECD35B9GFqdR~1fLTz6ETsuCIqBOyNXTgaCy0nPSO0V6qXourm0YmhxTMKf3E~wLpAsGntm5HqlC~zQcJQLkKfgX6kDduDa6IzpMxEAlUdQaMegTA3~a4in-XnIrdTnjYpHoe4ripUC9JVMc3jxXs5DqfxfGXpwFSd8l2JS6Ujs--Rok-2VfVehvU~vjW3c4cC7CA8QkYIubJbKT6P~fBG0Y-F05CnATUIEEuPEemCYXOUCPrexCGi9ZjckLRobnmOy9RjJKGDF0hZAnDLQJl0H9kZeVSm2HimemsZJ~SgrBfPBLOQFat-BKtY-J0FVlGkrgErTyDNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board approved a motion to submit the Inspire Teaching Exceptional Learning (ITEL) grant and to accept funds if awarded. Board members and district staff spent significant time discussing how the grant would be used to support tier‑1 instruction and teacher capacity at three elementary sites.

District staff said the grant will fund professional learning for teachers focused on implementing high‑quality instructional materials (Scholastic, Savvas/foundations) and aligning instruction to standards. Doctor Eustace told the board the grant-funded work will include observational data aligned to Mesa Public Schools’ instructional framework, teacher surveys, focus groups and analysis of student artifacts and common formative assessments. \"There will be observational data that's aligned to our NPS instructional framework,\" Doctor Eustace said.

Staff clarified the funding and delivery model: Arizona State University received a larger grant and Mesa Public Schools would be a subgrantee; Instruction Partners, a national nonprofit, will deliver most professional learning. Staff said the subgrant includes approximately $250,000 intended to cover substitutes, stipends and off-contract teacher work at the three participating schools. Principals will select participating grade levels; staff described a train‑the‑trainer model in which participating teachers and coaches will spread practices across campuses to support sustainability after the three‑year grant period.

Board members repeatedly asked for clear metrics and sustainability plans. Board Member Walden emphasized that the district must learn how to replicate high-performing implementations across sites. Doctor Eustace acknowledged variation in teaming outcomes and cited ASU analysis showing that some teams produce strong student outcomes while others do not. \"When you have variance of implementation, you have to work at the schools that are not necessarily running with high efficacy,\" Doctor Eustace said.

Board members asked how much out‑of‑classroom time teachers will be required to commit. Staff said the program will emphasize virtual sessions and use early‑release Wednesdays where possible; one in‑person day per semester was mentioned as likely, with other time flexible and negotiated with site leaders. Principals and participating teachers may use substitute days, stipends or off‑contract time; exact sub‑day counts will be determined at the site level after board approval.

The board approved the motion 5-0. Staff said they will return with implementation details and an end‑of‑year report for the board.","The board approved a district application for the Inspire Teaching Exceptional Learning (ITEL) grant and staff described measures for accountability, Instruction Partners as the trainer, and ASU as subgrant funder; board members pushed for sustainability and clear metrics.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Governing Board approves grants, intergovernmental agreements and travel budget in unanimous votes

District reports decline in dropout rate; principals cite care teams, block scheduling and partnerships

District explores Franklin K–12 expansion, Shepherd 7–12 academy and participatory staffing at small schools

Board approves ITEL grant application; staff outlines metrics, ASU subgrant and training plan