[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",6486880,"mediaKeyId","5588612-b5127134f6422279ed27af8806c5a1a3","parentId",5588612,"title","Mesa Public Schools rolls out fan‑expectation campaign, PSA and pregame operations for high‑attendence events","audioSeconds",456,"startMs",6332000,"endMs",6788000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5588612-b5127134f6422279ed27af8806c5a1a3&start=6332&end=6788","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5588612-b5127134f6422279ed27af8806c5a1a3/thumbnail_6332000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486880/Arizona/Mesa-Public-Schools-rolls-out-fanexpectation-campaign-PSA-and-pregame-operations-for-highattendence-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486880-ba226e9a87e0fce1ddc1ae5120da0800/orig.mp4?Expires=1770580651&Signature=CdWjAC967WEQRrjTmxDB~bU~Ifjs1-fS2F-uSQ8KS6spIMNFkijHpmv4eyVz4lRw5VCTu6u6kKbkseixMHyBZL9lOwB46NRXn57UImg7vqnDsDxtEoC03DuLvzI2MnT4aRiP-jobkQWQLJkTEqM36ZBzqizqdeLYcBqf6QTd-xkG78RlReZbtl1lnFB~3ZX1-dR26YYLAO2lrC5w5LJLJHxjHBjRUpo32pDGcqOPjdHo-FW3JgqR-Wcpnt67i8-f64ZENb-yw0M4q2~5hkS~bRyWtu5FWJUcRMF0MVRGfewnMDT8YXSgnQG3B2G6ZI4XZXnWJ9NiKBLMwVYQVMIqfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mesa Unified District (4235)","date","2025-08-14T22:50:34Z","article","Mesa Public Schools athletic leadership presented a districtwide initiative on Aug. 14 to set clearer expectations for students, fans, coaches and officials at extracurricular events. The plan includes a recorded pregame public‑service announcement, signage and marquee messages, ops meetings for high‑attendence games, and required conduct acknowledgments for online ticket purchasers.

Athletic director staff framed the initiative as a response to rising concerns about spectator and sideline behavior and a statewide decline in game officials. The presentation cited a district finding that seniors who participate in athletics had a 98 percent graduation rate last year, and leaders argued athletics can be a positive force for student engagement.

What the plan includes: A 30–60 second PSA recorded for each school will play after the national anthem at events with audio capability; the PSA asks fans to \"cheer for your team, not against the other\" and to \"represent our community with spirit, sportsmanship and unity.\" Officials will be given hospitality on arrival (locker rooms, water/snack, escorts to vehicles if requested). High‑profile events will have pregame operations meetings to coordinate security, traffic and student egress plans. GoFan and other ticketing platforms will require ticket buyers to acknowledge expectations as a condition of entry, athletic staff said.

Coaches, fans and student leaders: The district will ask athletic directors to meet with student‑fan groups before each season to review expectations. Coaches will be trained on sportsmanship standards and reminded that ejections can carry more serious penalties under Arizona Interscholastic Association rules. Athletic staff emphasized the difference between positive, competitive cheering and behavior that targets opponents or officials.

Why it matters: Athletic events are a visible point of engagement for families and community members; district leaders said consistent expectations and operational planning can reduce incidents that lead to game cancellations, ejections and strained community relationships.

Community outreach and local messaging: The district will deploy school‑specific versions of the PSA, use marquees, marquee and scoreboard messaging, and place signage at venues. Athletic leaders said they will pilot the pregame ops meetings at early‑season events and refine the model as needed.

Ending: Board members praised the plan and recommended continued communication with families. Athletic staff said the goal is to preserve athletics as a positive experience and to make officials feel welcome so they will continue to accept assignments at Mesa schools.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Governing Board Study Session and Regular Board Meeting - August 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District athletic staff unveiled an MPS fan initiative that will play a pregame PSA at events, require ticket buyers to acknowledge conduct expectations, provide officials with hospitality and start pregame operations meetings for high‑profile contests to address spectator misconduct and declining numbers of officials.","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},6486884,"Mesa Public Schools reports progress at 14 intensive schools after school‑improvement action planning",1721,4584000,6305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5588612-b5127134f6422279ed27af8806c5a1a3&start=4584&end=6305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5588612-b5127134f6422279ed27af8806c5a1a3/thumbnail_4584000.jpg","/articles/6486884/Arizona/Mesa-Public-Schools-reports-progress-at-14-intensive-schools-after-schoolimprovement-action-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486884-01dc6f5db3a88ff97851e1bd993a780c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770580651&Signature=EvJcjknTP2LtCrSeowfD3NK3KOIgKaMwCS13tShNxyCOt5tq2tUe7~G8w6PI5FUQLD4VgXaPJ3TxH84mLppAPYzrGoKgb0PkEPBZodE-pXJlZhElJ03VFlNYVj-paSYuUaehTGQ1e30PNRgGMaD9PE3GymrNU~Sf~lafqa2JZhq69nUXDS2h3AJhOeaFujoYdaLOVbjJcPqdziq4tjlQc6fzh0-tnrHDJLqGQPxRiC6oVtnQuu1OlHGUcdmeVL-Mal1GnRYm5A8Nn2ByyY0QJjVhVlS2pFf2BX-CoP4PV27hq-Lu1NUKXlA8Fc5hkgh1FHQEbSa26XC-X9JGCIt4eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa Public Schools on Aug. 14 presented the results of a yearlong school‑improvement effort focused on 14 schools the district identified for intensive support. District staff and campus leaders said nearly all of the schools showed measurable progress on the goals set for English language arts, math and growth among below‑proficiency students.

District staff described a multi‑step process that included data analysis, root‑cause work (including a \"five‑why\" process), writing SMART goals, developing theories of action, building action plans with assigned owners and timelines, and aligning resources — including Title funds and coaching time — to school priorities. A one‑point rubric guided regular feedback and helped leaders assess school performance in each step of the process.

Results presented: For ELA pass rate goals, five of 14 schools met the target and three showed measurable progress; for math pass rates, 11 schools met the target and two showed progress (92.9% of the 14 schools made measurable progress or met the goal). All 14 schools showed growth on at least one of the district's below‑proficiency measures for ELA or math, the presentation said.

Principals described classroom and middle‑school practices that helped drive gains. Annie Ergison, principal at Redbird Elementary, said teachers used dedicated planning time, aligned instruction to priority standards, developed unit plans and implemented small‑group tier‑1 instruction and data talks with students. \"A culture of learning developed as teachers actively sought feedback,\" Ergison said.

Mike Rapira, principal at Poston Junior High, said the school formed \"create teams\" that combined ELA, science and social studies teachers to focus on grade‑level reading and writing; math teams used a daily intervention period called \"pause time\" to reteach using data‑identified cohorts. Rapira said teachers also held pre‑AASA data conversations with students to set individual growth goals.

Next steps: The district said it will continue cross‑functional support and coaching, scale the process to grades 9–12 and continue to refine the continuous‑improvement cycle. Project Momentum, a targeted technical assistance program, will work with 10 campuses this year on instructional design, collaborative teams and backward‑design lesson planning, staff said.

Ending: Board members praised the work and asked for continued transparency; the district said follow‑up questions and additional data will be posted in BoardDocs before the next board meeting.

","District leaders and principals reported that the 14 schools identified for intensive support showed growth on most targeted metrics after a year of action planning, collaborative coaching and targeted resources. Math pass‑rate goals showed especially broad progress, district staff said.",{"_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},6486890,"Board approves $350,000 increase for contracted nursing and related services for students with intensive needs",3244,3424000,6668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5588612-b5127134f6422279ed27af8806c5a1a3&start=3424&end=6668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5588612-b5127134f6422279ed27af8806c5a1a3/thumbnail_3424000.jpg","/articles/6486890/Arizona/Board-approves-350000-increase-for-contracted-nursing-and-related-services-for-students-with-intensive-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486890-d699f620b6caffeca46a20435b91433b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770580651&Signature=TxUvkThRb5-Thh9lX8ZTqiM6QeNL1a3LndZEozXBOCo2jdP~e108VjmnxJFrmmsLOubjI4TxWQ7cmBCiiR9xE2-53GwTBjD~xMCSr7d2iq6K6xTKNcJe4WPpqdoLqr7gylJXV0Ziu2V7I-SIiS-PFcB2XbCeMkW4PIVhcaAyFsHNB~9FJIzKlZEsNeFy8gtpqeFN4G6l5~8hMhnVZ1liAD2VGTqagJFQUB8YdvKx~qDo8XPtMBSfpsA13jYKIoc2Wr2r6tZOrco0lgJ~qB50IrhaHQgu7eMwFIPwQ4CbPqKYh2C2edzwkdnm03Ei58TJGR4Bc~arSquTEQ3768bjcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa Public Schools' Governing Board on Aug. 14 authorized a contract increase of $350,000 to cover specialty services — including one‑to‑one nursing, speech‑language pathologists and related providers — needed by a small number of students with intensive special education needs.

The contract increase was presented to the board as an incremental, not open‑ended, authorization: district staff said the $350,000 figure is an estimate to cover agency providers for students who require full‑time nursing and other services while the district continues to recruit employees. \"This is just authorization to spend up to an additional $300,000 because of these new students,\" a district staff member explained, adding the district reconciles invoices and brings further requests back to the board if totals approach the authorized cap.

During public comment, Jason Smithson, a Webster Elementary parent and special‑education advocate, urged the board to protect district special‑education leadership as the district reorganizes. \"The loss of our most visible and effective advocate is devastating,\" Smithson said, arguing an executive director role should be retained for special education if the assistant superintendent post is removed.

Funding and providers: District staff told the board the services on the contract are typically reimbursed through Medicaid billing for eligible students and do not come from unrestricted maintenance and operation funds. Staff also said the district initially intends to use several vendors to supply agency nurses and therapists when district employees are not available; the vendors named in public comment materials included Educational Contracting LLC, Everybody Matters Inc. and MGA Home Healthcare LLC. Board members clarified that the contract increase is for services already required by enrolled students and that the district will reconcile actual expenditures against the contract authorization.

Why it matters: The district identified six students this year who require full‑time nursing support on campus (up from three the previous year), creating a need for contracted providers while recruitment continues. Board members noted federal and state law require districts to provide services specified in students’ IEPs, which can be costly but are mandated for access to public schools.

Vote and next steps: The board approved the contract increase by vote of five yeas. District staff said the special‑education team will continue recruitment and will close contracts where positions are filled by employees rather than agency providers; if expenditures approach the approved cap, staff will return to the board for further authorization.

Ending: Board members emphasized the legal obligation to provide required services and asked staff to track vendor invoices and funding sources closely. The board also encouraged continued transparency to address public questions about how contract dollars are used.

","The Governing Board approved a contract increase of $350,000 to pay for nursing and related therapy services for students with significant special education needs; the district said Medicaid reimbursement is the primary funding source and that agency contractors are used when employees are not available.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6486893,"Mesa Public Schools board approves reorganization that eliminates five assistant superintendent posts, creates two chief roles",5809,348000,6157000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5588612-b5127134f6422279ed27af8806c5a1a3&start=348&end=6157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5588612-b5127134f6422279ed27af8806c5a1a3/thumbnail_348000.jpg","/articles/6486893/Arizona/Mesa-Public-Schools-board-approves-reorganization-that-eliminates-five-assistant-superintendent-posts-creates-two-chief-roles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486893-c6cc297bc846e609b4dd1ccf54746b0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770580651&Signature=I4Rd8ReAxM61H~mV-D8lzCoJRA6ajtC-IhCvi4GNuN~iNDfsRHxYQrKA2AjD0YdvMmL3RJC9GQuSbbfkWD6EBzF4J457Q8LsxUiwiYNn8OHFCjSLgUMbmnS~2zHp4CoSc2rh5oULUvyha-egJ9-TxC-QcM~x271i5uQvhwnY-jDdThiDWUNWfSscCRrCrxO~srb9hm3muHXdiN9-7GkpZjLJ~Fnm55qI7UqjxJDGHIRTxMBAfkJ2Bq1mRWc-c2r6ckL0rXpM5w2ISReGnSkdgm9VKXmvkyQ~au-k3nawK~GstHbnidJuQJz4C9lujvsK8MQzEhZweZxCtORKBiuKFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mesa Public Schools' Governing Board on Aug. 14 approved a personnel request to eliminate five assistant superintendent positions and create two chief-level posts — chief of academics and chief of schools — as part of a district reorganization aimed at reducing central office staffing and saving money ahead of the 2026–27 school year.

Superintendent Dr. Straum told the board the redesign is intended to “streamline and become more efficient” so that school-based staff can focus on students as the district faces declining enrollment and budget pressure. “We do anticipate having a 9 to $18,000,000 budget shortfall heading in into 2627,” Dr. Straum said during the board’s study session presentation.

The reorganization will reduce district-office full‑time equivalents (FTE) roughly from 147 to 104 — a reduction the administration described as approximately 40 FTE — and estimated to save about $2.5 million to $3.5 million annually from the district office redesign alone. The district also expects additional savings from other measures and from natural attrition at schools.

Why it matters: Mesa Public Schools projects continuing enrollment declines through 2028 that will reduce state funding tied to student counts. The district forecasted a three‑year enrollment drop of about 4,000–5,000 students and highlighted a roughly 2,500‑student contraction at the high‑school level over that period — an effect the superintendent said would be more severe for the budget because high‑school pupils carry a higher ADM weight.

What the board approved: The personnel motion on the consent/action calendar authorized the elimination of five assistant superintendent positions and the addition of two chief positions, with those chiefs expected to start on July 1, 2026. The board also authorized internal, employees‑only postings for the two chief positions initially; the administration said it will post externally only if internal applicants are not qualified.

How the reorganization will work: Under the new structure, the chief of schools will oversee school systems and operations, supported by executive directors aligned to high‑school regions and feeder patterns. The chief of academics will oversee curriculum, related services, data and accountability, and other learning functions; both chiefs will be followed by a domino hiring process in which executive directors and director‑level roles will be posted and designed in collaboration with the newly hired chiefs. The administration said gray boxes in the presented org chart represented positions and job titles to be defined after hiring the two chiefs.

Timeline and hiring process: District leadership notified affected employees beginning July 9 and said the two chief positions would be posted internally the day after board approval, with recommendations for hires planned at the Aug. 28 meeting. The administration described a multi‑stage interview process led by Human Resources with large and small panels and finalists interviewed by the superintendent and Mr. Wing; district staff said the superintendent and Mr. Wing will not serve on the larger interview panels.

Board and public questions: Board members and several public commenters pressed the administration on protections for specific programs and employees, fairness of an internal‑only posting, how job descriptions would be finalized, and how special education leadership and services would be maintained after the elimination of assistant superintendent roles. Mr. Wing said the district intends to create executive‑director roles that will include related services (special education) under the chief of academics; he also said many job descriptions will be drafted after the two chiefs are hired so those leaders can help design the roles.

Budget and enrollment context: The administration explained that when new students enroll the district receives a per‑pupil dollar but that only about 60% of that typically funds classroom instruction in Arizona; the remaining approximately 40% covers operations and district functions, items the superintendent called “the hardest part” to trim during declining enrollment. The district offered detailed estimates: a projected loss of roughly 1,800 students for 2026–27 would reduce revenue by an estimated $12.5 million (hence the presented shortfall range of $9 million to $18 million, contingent on federal and state funding).

Vote and next steps: The board approved the personnel request, including the addendum, by a recorded vote of five yeas. The administration will post the two chief positions internally, recommend hires at the next meeting and then proceed with a domino hiring process for executive directors, directors and other roles with an aim to complete the initial hiring before winter break.

Ending: District leaders said the redesign is intended to preserve school‑based positions as long as possible and to prioritize class‑size ratios as one of the last budget levers. The board asked the public to submit questions and ideas through the governing‑board contact page as the district refines job descriptions and implements the reorganization.

","The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board approved a personnel request to eliminate five assistant superintendent positions and add two chief positions (chief of academics and chief of schools) as part of a district office redesign to address declining enrollment and an anticipated 2026–27 budget shortfall.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mesa Public Schools rolls out fan‑expectation campaign, PSA and pregame operations for high‑attendence events

Mesa Public Schools reports progress at 14 intensive schools after school‑improvement action planning

Board approves $350,000 increase for contracted nursing and related services for students with intensive needs

Mesa Public Schools board approves reorganization that eliminates five assistant superintendent posts, creates two chief roles