The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board approved a personnel request, including an addendum, related to a multi-phase organizational redesign intended to reduce central-office positions and lower district operating costs.

What the board approved: The motion to approve the personnel request and addendum passed by a vote of 5–0. Staff said this second implementation phase includes selected executive-director and director-level positions; additional phases and hiring recommendations will come to the board in October and December.

District rationale and timeline: Mr. Wing told the board the redesign started with a summer reorganization that reduced five assistant-superintendent roles into two chief positions and will continue through December. The district expects to reduce roughly 40 positions at the department level for the 2026–27 school year as the redesign completes. Superintendent Strom said the redesign was intended to be humane in timing, giving affected employees advance notice and time to consider options.

Budget implications: Administration said earlier cost estimates projected $3.5–$4.5 million in annual savings once the plan is fully implemented and after targeted investments in technology (information services) that would help the district operate with a smaller human-resources footprint. Staff said the first phase of reorganizing cabinet-level roles was effectively budget neutral; larger savings will accrue in subsequent phases. The administration said staffing and salary changes for 2026–27 will be brought back to the board, with formal hiring and job-title recommendations expected at the December meeting.

Board discussion: Members asked whether savings would be realized at the $3.5–$4.5 million level and how the redesign would preserve school-level services. Administration replied that the program is intended to localize support through regional “learning community” teams with executive directors responsible for regions; some new specialist positions will be 10– or 12-month roles and built into the regional support matrix. Member Hutchinson urged caution to avoid overburdening remaining staff. Administration replied it would inventory and eliminate nonessential tasks and emphasized a PDQ (position description questionnaire) process to clarify roles.

Action recorded: Approval of the personnel request, including addendum. The board accepted the administration’s plan to continue implementation and return final organizational and hiring recommendations in subsequent board meetings.