Mesa Public Schools unveils district-office reorganization, names six executive directors

Dr. Matthew Strum, superintendent of Mesa Public Schools (Mesa Unified District 4235), on Wednesday outlined a district-office reorganization intended to reduce central-office costs while preserving classroom resources and introduced six executive directors who will lead regional "learning communities." Strum said the restructuring reduces 40 full-time equivalent positions at the district level and will save "about $3,600,000." He said the changes shrink the assistant-superintendent tier from 11 to 6 and reduce district directors from 27 to 22.

The reorganization, Strum said, is a response to a sustained budget gap linked to demographics and declining student enrollment. "We graduate about 4,500 maybe this year, and we bring in about 3,100, 3,200 kindergartners," he told the forum, adding that state funding follows student population. "We're trying not to affect schools in the classroom as much as we possibly can," Strum said.

The forum introduced the six senior leaders who will serve as executive directors for 2026–27: Monica Messa (named chief of schools for 2026–27; currently assistant superintendent, East Area…